Author and Route 66 expert Michael Wallis, who portrayed the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the hit Disney-Pixar movie "Cars," provided some interesting news to me this week via e-mail: This week I spent several hours in studio recording a brand new CARS video game featuring the Sheriff, Mater, Lightning and many of the other … Continue reading New “Cars” video game being produced
Category: Books
Book review: “Find Me”
While reading Carol O'Connell's "Find Me," the latest in a series of novels featuring detective Kathy Mallory, a realization struck me: "Find Me" (352 pages, Putnam, $24.95) is the first novel by a major, bestselling writer that takes place on modern-day Route 66. That alone tells you how far Route 66 has come. About 15 … Continue reading Book review: “Find Me”
“Route 66 for Kids” free guidebook is updated
Emily Priddy has just finished the second update of her free, downloadable "Route 66 for Kids" guidebook, which is a primer for parents who want to find kid-friendly attractions on the Mother Road. The book was originally published in 2003, and Priddy updates it every two years. The newest version has several new listings suggested … Continue reading “Route 66 for Kids” free guidebook is updated
Even the losers need to a place to sleep
While doing a search for Route 66 news items, it was a jolt to find this New York Times book review of Charlie LeDuff's new book, "US Guys: The True and Twisted Mind of the American Man." In this nonfiction book "about folks who claw and hang on by their fingernails," the review says: Things … Continue reading Even the losers need to a place to sleep
New book tells the history of Amarillo
There's a new book about that windy, dusty Route 66 town on the Plains that is Amarillo, Texas. The Mexia (Texas) Daily News reports that Texas Tech University has published "Amarillo -- The Story of a Western Town" by professor Paul H. Carlson. The newspaper says: Amarillo is the first comprehensive history of the “Queen … Continue reading New book tells the history of Amarillo
“Guy with the horns” dies
Arlen Strehlow's name probably doesn't ring a bell for most people. It probably wouldn't even jolt memories for many of his fellow Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders. However, Harley owners knew of him because of his look -- wearing a helmet fitted with a pair of outlandishly long Texas longhorns. He was known as "The Guy with … Continue reading “Guy with the horns” dies
New novel set on Route 66
Mystery novelist Carol O'Connell has written eight books featuring New York detective Kathleen Mallory. The ninth, "Find Me," takes place prominently on the Mother Road. I found out about O'Connell's book, which has been in stores for about a week, with this review in the Arizona Republic: Mallory is missing at the outset, and in … Continue reading New novel set on Route 66
A preview of Michael Wallis’ Lincoln Highway book
Road warrior and author Brian Butko dropped me a note Friday, telling me that he has received a cover image of Michael Wallis' upcoming book, "The Lincoln Highway: From Times Square to the Golden Gate." The cover is shown below: There's no set release date for the book, except it'll be out this summer. It's … Continue reading A preview of Michael Wallis’ Lincoln Highway book
Battle of the books
Route 66 enthusiast Emily Priddy has announced that she's going to update her parents' guide to the Mother Road, "Route 66 for Kids," on Feb. 1. The book has been available a free download as Adobe Acrobat or a Microsoft Word file from the Kids on 66 Web site since 2005, although it was initially … Continue reading Battle of the books
Route 66 on the silver screen
Speaking of guidebooks, Harry Medved was kind enough to send me a copy of the book he co-wrote with Bruce Akiyama, "Hollywood Escapes." It describes itself as "The moviegoing guide to exploring Southern California's great outdoors." The reason this book is mentioned here is because it contains a chapter about Route 66 and its role … Continue reading Route 66 on the silver screen