The celebrated American author John Steinbeck sets out on a road trip across America with his loyal dog, Charley. Traveling through some of the country’s most diverse and stunning landscapes, Steinbeck reflects on what it means to be an American in search of both personal and national identity. A thoughtful and introspective account of one man’s journey across his homeland, Travels with Charley is an illuminating classic from one of America’s most beloved authors.
For who is this book for ?
Travels with Charley in Search of America is a must-read for anyone interested in American history and culture. Steinbeck’s insightful reflections on the people, places, and things he encounters on his journey offer a unique perspective on what it means to be an American.
Pros :
- Steinbeck’s reflections on America are insightful and introspective
- The road trip provides a beautiful canvas against which to explore American landscapes
- Steinbeck is an accomplished author with a masterful ability to share his thoughts and observations
Cons :
- The author’s observations may be interesting to some but can be slow and tedious for others
- The book is not well organized, jumping back and forth between Steinbeck’s thoughts and actual events of the trip
- Some readers may not appreciate Steinbeck’s overt political views
Learn more about the author
John Steinbeck was born in 1902 in Salinas, California. He worked as a laborer and journalist before publishing his first novel, Cup of Gold, in 1929. During the 1930s he wrote some of America’s most important social novels, including The Grapes of Wrath (1939), which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. In 1961 he traveled across America with his dog Charley for the book Travels with Charley: In Search of America, which was published the following year. John Steinbeck died in 1968.” Travels with Charley is an autobiographical account by American author John Steinbeck about his journey across America with his faithful poodle companion named Charley. Charting through someof the nation’s most diverse and stunning landscapes,Steinbeck reflects on what it means to be an American whilst trying to discover personal and national identity . A highly introspective read that provides great insight into one man’s view oftravelling acrosshis homeland , Travels with Charely is a stirring classic from one oAmerica ‘ s most celebrated writers.
Reader Reviews
“An interesting and insightful look at America as seen by one of its most celebrated authors… A must-read for anyone interested in American history and culture.”
“This is a great read for anyone who loves to travel and/or learn about American history. Steinbeck’s musings on the people and places he encounters are interesting, insightful, and often humorous.”
“This is a great book! It captures the beauty and essence of America in a way that few other authors have been able to replicate.”
“An interesting, informative read – Steinbeck has a way of capturing the essence of a place and making you feel like you’re right there with him.”
