He has Alzheimer's disease. She has a serious case of cancer and has stopped taking the treatments. He's driving the family's late-1970s RV. She's riding shotgun and popping pain pills. He's subject to outbursts of anger and confusion. She's cynical and wistful. The elderly couple is going down Route 66 for a final vacation together. … Continue reading Book review: “The Leisure Seeker”
Category: Books
My, how times have changed
Today, "Route 66 Backroads" author Jim Hinckley sent me a link to a 1949 edition of the Negro Motorist Green Book. The guidebook says it provides a "list of hotels, boarding houses, restaurants, beauty shops, barber shops and various other services can most certainly help solve your travel problems. It was the idea of Victor … Continue reading My, how times have changed
“House of the Rising Sun” in Baxter Springs?
The answer to the question: Sort of. The story behind this is complicated. So bear with me. I just finished reading Ted Anthony's excellent 2007 book, "Chasing the Rising Sun," which traces the tangled and twisted origins of the famous song, "House of the Rising Sun." It's nearly certain that you've heard the tune. But … Continue reading “House of the Rising Sun” in Baxter Springs?
Children’s book on Route 66 is out this month
A few months ago, it was reported that Oklahoma author and illustrator Hall Duncan was working on a children's book that takes place on Route 66. According to The Oklahoman, that book is finished: A new book by local children’s author Hall Duncan, titled "Emma Doesn’t Want to Race Today,” will be on shelves this … Continue reading Children’s book on Route 66 is out this month
Book of top 100 hamburgers includes Route 66 restaurants
Longtime readers may remember George Motz and his 2005 documentary, "Hamburger America," where he searched for the eight best hamburger joints in the United States. Motz now has a book by the same title, except he's expanded his "best-of" list to 100 restaurants. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the Bobcat Bite and its … Continue reading Book of top 100 hamburgers includes Route 66 restaurants
New novel on Route 66 coming in January
Michael Zadoorian has a novel, "The Leisure Seekers," that will be published by HarperCollins and is set to hit stores on Jan. 27. Much of the book takes place on Route 66. Here's the synopsis from the publisher: John and Ella Robina have shared a wonderful life for more than fifty years. Now in their … Continue reading New novel on Route 66 coming in January
New roadside postcard book coming soon
Route 66 historian Jim Ross and Mother Road author/photographer Shellee Graham, both who run Route 66 Photographs, announced Thursday night that they have a new postcard book, "Roadside U.S.A. -- Route 66 and Beyond," coming out within days. Ross and Graham described the book as "30 detachable, color postcards featuring some of our favorite scenes … Continue reading New roadside postcard book coming soon
Book review: “Route 66 Railway”
To my knowledge, a book had never explored the relationship between the railroad and historic Route 66. That's no longer the case with the publication of Elrond Lawrence's "Route 66 Railway" (Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation, 176 pages, $49.50). Subtitled "The Story of the Route 66 and the Santa Fe Railway in the American Southwest," … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Railway”
Book review: “Roads to Quoz”
After losing his job and marriage, William Least Heat-Moon and his Ford Econoline van (dubbed Ghost Dancing) embarked on a 13,000-mile journey around America. He avoided the interstates and drove two-lane highways and country roads. He eschewed chain restaurants for mom-and-pop eateries. And he met a lot of interesting people. "Blue Highways: A Journey into … Continue reading Book review: “Roads to Quoz”
Book review: “Route 66 Backroads”
Jim Hinckley's gorgeous new book, "Route 66 Backroads" (Voyageur, 208 pages, $24.99), is a guide to more than 40 side trips that use historic Route 66 as a jumping-off point. The book's initial focus remains on 66, with seven chapters on each of the states the Mother Road traverses (the 13 miles of Kansas is … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Backroads”