Travels with Charley in Search of America
-
- $9.99
-
- $9.99
Publisher Description
An intimate journey across and in search of America, as told by one of its most beloved writers, in a deluxe centennial edition
In September 1960, John Steinbeck embarked on a journey across America. He felt that he might have lost touch with the country, with its speech, the smell of its grass and trees, its color and quality of light, the pulse of its people. To reassure himself, he set out on a voyage of rediscovery of the American identity, accompanied by a distinguished French poodle named Charley; and riding in a three-quarter-ton pickup truck named Rocinante.
His course took him through almost forty states: northward from Long Island to Maine; through the Midwest to Chicago; onward by way of Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana (with which he fell in love), and Idaho to Seattle, south to San Francisco and his birthplace, Salinas; eastward through the Mojave, New Mexico, Arizona, to the vast hospitality of Texas, to New Orleans and a shocking drama of desegregation; finally, on the last leg, through Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to New York.
Travels with Charley in Search of America is an intimate look at one of America's most beloved writers in the later years of his life—a self-portrait of a man who never wrote an explicit autobiography. Written during a time of upheaval and racial tension in the South—which Steinbeck witnessed firsthand—Travels with Charley is a stunning evocation of America on the eve of a tumultuous decade. This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition also features French flaps and deckle-edged paper.
For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Gary Sinise narrates this audio version of Steinbeck's classic travelogue the book documents the author's trip across America with his poodle Charley in a tone that is friendly, folksy, and thoughtful. Sinise relays the author's observations about the physical beauty of America and the character of its varied people in a spontaneous manner, almost as if he's thinking aloud. Having starred in a variety of film and theater adaptations of the author's work, Sinise slips naturally into the role of Steinbeck, showing an innate understanding of the author's voice and his dry, often self-deprecating humor. Additionally, Sinise creates authentic regional accents for the people the author meets in his travels. In describing racism in the South, Sinise's voice grows somber and sorrowful. His rendition of one scene in particular a conversation between Steinbeck and a racist is truly chilling. This audiobook is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys Steinbeck, travelogues, or slices of Americana. A Penguin paperback.
Customer Reviews
Made me thoughtful
I picked up this book because I needed a road trip book to fill a participation requirement in a book challenge. I'm so glad that I did. The author took time off from everything to drive across the country with his dog. He met all different types of people and had good and bad experiences. Politics and beliefs came up often and varied person to person. Elections, war and racial desecration are just a little of what was on the minds of many. He's pretty good at giving mostly unbiased opinions of his interactions. He describes many popular geographical spots also. I felt that I received a pretty accurate and interesting look at the U.S. of the past.
Awesome
Firstly, I read the other reviews regarding download issues. I had none. My copy is fine, complete and very readable on my iPhone 3GS using the iBooks App. Re: the book. Simply fascinating, engaging and timeless. A must read classic.
Very nice
I had no problems with download, complete book is there and it is nicely done. It replaces an old falling apart paperback I have not read in many years and am looking forward to reading it again in this format.