Road Books

My husband and I think this is a great atlas for the United States and Canada. The neighboring states in the U.S. are green; and the state you are looking at is in white. This makes it very clear at a glance. Also, the Canadian portion of this Atlas is spectacular. The entire atlas is very easy to read. We really do like it and we are very glad we bought it.

I love atlases and purchase each yearly edition of Rand McNally. Not much changes from year-to-year, but this edition represents a vast improvement on recent versions. First, they changed the color scheme. Neighboring states are now in olive green, instead of yellow as they were in recent editions. This change helps make it more obvious where borders are and the maps are clearer than before. In addition, national parks are now bright green, and stand out much better (in prior editions, they were outlined with pink and blended in with neighboring highways). Of course, each year, they update the road construction areas, which I have been impressed with their accuracy. This edition also includes a wonderful section highlighting some lesser known events and road trips around the country. Finally, there is a useful section that includes website addresses for state tourism offices. Even if you have a recent edition of this atlas, I highly recommend the 2002 version. Happy travelling!

This Atlas is the only way to go when you need a comprehensive map of roads in North America -- and who doesn't need one of those? I recently used the new edition on a long road trip, and every road was right where the book said it would be.

Love the Pop-Up maps! This one really helped us get around in Seattle. Clear and easy to read.

I live here and I bought one! Ok, so I get lost sometimes, no really its that I don't know where all the Inn's are etc, and sometimes I get confused as to which street is the next one over, and well, I bought one and love it. If you're visiting it's the map to get.

This is the most useful map that we've found for navigating Seattle... Its small and fits in a pocket easily. It has various different sections - a small scale downtown page which is great driving or walking as it has most major attractions marked and includes the crucial direction of traffic information. There's a page with a great overview of the areas around Lake Washington which is excellent for basic directions (major roads - general neighbourhoods etc). Then there's a few little sections on the area around the University and the market. And finally there's a map of the area that gives a sense of the Puget Sound and how Seattle fits in.

I highly recommend this map if you're travelling to Seattle as a tourist or relocating to the area. We find it easy to use, and full of interesting details.

This is a testimony. A book that maybe can't be done anymore. A reminder of a lost identity among franchise. A poem to the past.

A great photographer is one who sees the beauty in the banal and everyday aspects of our surroundings, and frames and shoots so that these things are brought to our attention. And so it is with Jeff Brouws. "Readymades" is a collection of subjects that are so much a part of America's cultural landscape that they are barely noticeable; 60's tract homes repainted in bright, hot colours; pick-up trucks with dents, primer touch-ups and replacement panels; ruins of the 20th century - drive-ins and gasoline stations; farmyard buildings; neglected freight cars and trailer homes in various states of abandonment, ten-pin bowling buildings and accompanying signs, roadside and inner-city signs advertising goods and services long forgotten, and even an artifact of the current age - storage units - which already have an aura of desolation.

My favorite series is of the "Partially Painted Pick-Up Trucks". Deeply American; all of these vehicles indicate a gritty, blue-collar life, yet there is something in them that is inexplicably beautiful and noble. The ghostly and forlorn aspect of the abandoned drive-ins and gasoline stations bring to mind the questions - "who worked here"? and "did this place really mean anything to anyone"?. "Do they ever think of it" and even "where are these people now"? "Dead? - and does anyone care"?

Books of this type are quite often large and unwieldy (big pictures usually equals bigger visual impact). This one is small (15cm x 23.5cm x 2.5cm) and much easier to handle, but this does not reduce the value of the photography; the power of the images has been retained. For its genre, the book is exceptionally good value (particularly for the current price on Amazon); 272 pages, including over 220 crisp, sharp images. The essays accompanying each section are short and enjoyable, being as they are personal reflections by different contributing writers who have some real connection to the subjects, and - thankfully - there is no tedious discussion of photographic technicalities or of the merits of urban photography. Overall, this is a thorough exploration of the range of Jeff Brouws' work. After this, I would strongly recommend his "Approaching Nowhere" - a much larger book in terms of size, but a closer and deeper examination of the American landscape.

Yet another roadie book but `Readymades' is a cut above the usual photographic selection of what can be seen along the nation's back roads. For a start the book is landscape, just the right shape for images that are basically horizontal. Secondly the photos are divided into sections rather than loosely hung together by state or date order. Thirdly the choice of material is refreshing, for example, tract housing, freight cars, trailers or storage units (no kidding).

This is Jeff Brouws second road book, his first, the excellent `Highway: America's Endless Dream', was more the traditional photographic road book, a mixture of everything plus a selection of interesting black and white images from the thirties and forties. I like the formal arrangement of `Readymades'. By having each of the eleven chapters devoted to a particular theme he "presents the subject in the most factual terms possible" as Diana Gaston says in her intro. The chapters are tract housing, signs, abandoned drive-ins, farms, pickups, abandoned gas stations, boxcars, signs two, trailers, bowling and finally storage units.

Partially painted pickup trucks are just that, twenty-five of them are all taken side on and nicely framed within the image area. Twenty-six abandoned gas stations (in black and white) are one to a page and just the sort of thing Robert Frank would have stopped his car for back in the fifties. Freight cars, again one to a page and neatly framed, are an amazing colored selection of various shades of rust and railroad livery. Perhaps the most unusual chapter is storage units, hardly the sort of thing to capture the creative eye but here they are, eighteen shots including a stunning one taken in West Virginia in 2001 showing three power station cooling towers in the distance, the storage units in the middle and a parking lot in the foreground. The photos of these units remind me of Lewis Baltz and his photos of the industrial parks in Irvine, CA, simple oblongs just placed in the landscape.

`Readymades' is a refreshing look and presentation of the vernacular everyday and I think it might well turn out to be a classic photo book of the decade.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

A different take on FDR and race. Interesting hisory of the New Deal era and the Supreme Court. The short Political Science sections are not thrilling, but still were digestible.

This fine book will interest students of supreme court decisionmaking. Those interested in the presidency, the New Deal and/or the evolution of civil rights policy will benefit from reading this book.

Specialists will enjoy the academic perspectives. General readers can learn a lot of history because the book is not suffocated by the jargon that harms many university press books.

This well written book will be enjoyed by a variety of readers. It presents a fascinating account of important political struggles in the New Deal era. While focused on judicial politics and civil rights, it covers many aspects of American politics in the Roosevelt era. The book refutes the notion that FDR did not advance the cause of civil rights. Through judicial appointments and the creation of the Civil Rights Section of the Justice Department, FDR sought to undermine white supremacy in the South. The author argues convincingly that the Roosevelt administration did much to engender the Brown v. Board of Education decision that changed America forever.

This book will be most valuable to those interested in American politics, history, and race relations.

These books were so well written and held my attention throughout the entire series. Not only did each of the characters come to life in each of the books, but it was very evident that the author had studied the history, etc. of the time frame used before writing her story. I felt like I was right there with the characters and I loved it.

I have found that all of Tracie Peterson's books that I've read so far have been captivating as well as informative. Keep on writing!!!

These are some of the best books that I have ever read. The first two books are linked, while the third uses totally different people. The first is the best in the series. It contains romance, mystery, and action/adventure. The second is OK. The third is great. This is the most comical of all three books. It also includes romance. All three have nice happy endings (for all of you who like them.) These three are must reads for any Christian reader. Warning: Men do not read these, they are chick books. Always, read them, and enjoy.

The Ribbons West series is a sweet romantic comedy about Jordana, Caitlan, Brenton, Victoria, and Kiernan. A compliment series to Ribbons of Steel, yet they have a eclipsed them in wondeful storyline. Jordana is your run of the mill girl, very boring. all she does is climbe brick walls, escape from ruffians, work in a bank, and dress as a man- all things not so typical in her time (durring and after the Civil War). The lively and interesting Jordana thrives on adventure and sometimes even danger. She wonders why women are treated like fragile dolls and children. Her lovely skirts and delicate clothing tend to be to her detriment. Constantly being pursued by one man or another, none of which will her be herself, not to mention the fact that she has Brenton always worrying about her... Brenton Baldwin is Victoria and Jordana's brother. He was named caretaker of Jordana when his parents had to leave before the Civil War to buld a railroad in Russia. With Jordana's taste for adventure and his catious outlook on life, they tend to clash often. Caitlan comes in on the picture and acts as a mediator and can talk some sense into Jordana. Only she doesn't love Christ like they do because she came from Ireland durring a potato famine where so many were suffering. Brenton finds he is falling in love with her, but wants her to find God before telling her because of his strong desire for a Godfearing wife. Caitlan is Kiernan's sister. Victoria and Kiernan have been married for several years and he has just gotten a job that can provide for them. No children have come into their lives and both are yearning for them. Victoria fears Kiernan will no longer love her if she fails to give him a large family like he has always wanted. Twists and turns into romance, exploits, and revelations keep you entertained and will keep you from putting the books down.

(Sorry for the typos)

Back in the early 1950's, my dad would take the family to Yosemite every year. We'd travel from Los Angeles Basin, over the Grapevine, to Fresno and Yosemite. Though very young, I remembered the old road, before the Interstate 5 Freeway. I remembered many twists and turns and thought we were probably on the original Ridge Route. Years later when I was taking my own family to Yosemite, I'd look for traces of that old Ridge Route. Finally I turned to the Internet, where so much can be learned, and discovered this book on the Ridge Route by Harrison Scott. I ordered and read the book, only to discover that there was an original Ridge Route that I had never been on. It was a very interesting discovery.

The book is very easy reading and educational. I learned where the original Ridge Route was and that it can still be traveled today. The history of the Ridge Route was even more interesting that I had anticipated. It was fascinating. The road is not the only thing on that ridge of mountains. Oil, water, and electricity also come over the ridge. I also discovered that what I thought was the original Ridge Route, was actually the Alternate Ridge Route, the old Highway 99, when it had three-lanes. I remember the fourth lane being built.

Harrison Scott digs deep into the history of the Ridge Route. So much happened along that road. So many hotels, restaurants, gas stations, wild west roberies, and very interesting characters are associated with the route. Reading the book was a fascinating walk through the making of Los Angeles Basin, the joining of North and South California, the movers and shakers of early California and how they helped build the great Los Angeles Basin. I also enjoyed the many old photographs discovered by the author and reprinted in the book.

Anyone who enjoys history, especially of Southern California, will enjoy reading this book. Harrison Scott does a masterful job of bringing all that history together in a form that's both very interesting and entertaining. I highly recommend the book.

Scotty's book gives us an in-depth look at the old road over the Tehachapi Mountains that scared even the most competent drivers. He was responsible for gaining recognition for this historic transportation route between the great San Joaquin Valley and the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles. Scotty has compiled a wonderful collection of material to share with the reader. Through his words and photographs, he shows the reader the early means of getting from one area to the other via motor car and truck. It is an invaluable reference for anyone studying the great central artery of California.

One of the best road trip guide books I have ever read, "Ridge Route" provides a fascinating look into the history of the most outrageous highway construction projects of the 20th century. This little-known highway parallels the route of the present day I-5 near the Grapevine northwest of Los Angeles. The old highway features 627 curves over the course of about 30 miles and is a true historical gem. Harrison's book will keep you on the edge of your seat, whether you are reading it from the comfort of your study or perched on a turn-out on this remarkable highway. Harrison has included scores of old photographs documenting the history of the road and a wonderful collection of personal stories about the people who lived and worked around the road. This is a book that every fan of road trips should have in their collection.

There seem to be two types of history. There's the official version, usually written by the victors; and there's the account of what really happened, to ordinary people in daily life. In "Rise, and Fight Again" Charles Bracelen Flood delivers four hundred pages of the latter, and does so in that rarefied way that lets history flow like a novel. His primary research centered on the diaries of regular soldiers and militia men, and so we come to know the names and thoughts of human beings lost to the pages of the official versions. This is consistently exciting and insightful writing.

Flood ends his five-part book with Yorktown, as he had to. But the first four parts are not about victory, but crushing, debilitating defeats for the Continental Army, ranging from September of 1775 to June of 1780.

Some of the defeats are governed by simple bad luck, despite the very best of human determination. Others find roots in hubris, stupidity and outright cowardice. Flood varnishes nothing for the sake of myth, the most notable being Paul Revere, probably the most endearing image of the American Revolution. His alarming ride at the start of conflict was to be his finest hour. His later service was stained by a lack of fortitude, likely desertion and, at Revere's own request, a court martial.

So much of history concerns people who succeed because they didn't know what they were trying to do was impossible.Flood describes American fighting squads living on green peaches, shoeless in the winter, and in one case literally naked in crude winter quarters. In 1780 massive defeats in the south decimated all American forces below North Carolina. He notes state and federal treasuries spent dry, with no way to re-supply troops, much less pay them. It's not surprising, then, that towards the end of the war British generals were utterly astonished by an enemy that just didn't know when to quit.

In many ways Flood's central point is that the revolution was not so much won by soldiers, as just by people who acted upon a visceral awareness that grew into full consciousness. The rebel forces were the Continental Army, by name and definition, but this was an army very often of women and children, of barely trained farmers, of legitimate soldiers with no uniforms.

In 1775 European armies were very much based on aristocracy. An officer was granted a commission and promotion based far more on his pedigree and social rank than his battlefield valor, or his intellect. To whatever extent the Continental Army resembled its enemy (after all, many officers and soldiers, including George Wahington, had served in the British military), by the end of the war that resemblance had faded. Flood writes about an aristocratic German fighting for the British at Yorktown, who was furious that he had been defeated by "peasants, money-grubbing merchants and shopkeepers."

Two hundred thirty years is a blink in geologic time, and only a very little span in human history, and yet in that time the United States has become the most formidable nation in history. It is profoundly to our benefit, especially now, to understand what can be accomplished by people who perceive an injustice and who are compelled to action, regardless of the sacrifice or circumstances.

One final point to screenwriters and producers. These are engrossing stories of human will. Any of the four have the potential to be an excellent film or television project.

A must read for every history buff. This book is so interesting, I could hardly put it down. During the first part of the book I had to keep reminding myself that they DID win the war, because the first part chronicles their losses. The second part gets so exciting it's breathtaking, they have all these victories. I highly recommend this!

One of my 3 favorite books on the American Revolution, "Rise & Fight Again" focuses on four disastrous American defeats --- the Battles of Quebec, Fort Washington, Penobscot, and Camden-- and in doing so, captures more of the desperate spirit of those times than generally comes through in accounts of American victories. The reader comes to appreciate how nearly we lost this war.

Flood has laced his military history with the personal observations of folk who experienced the war first-hand-- Alexander Graydon, George Little, Otho Holland Williams, William Hutchings, among many others-- and the reader meets them not just as military characters, but as humans with interrupted lives, who keep re-emerging, sometimes with bewilderment, in the torrent of events. I found myself caring very much what happened to these people, and wanting to know more.

Flood's style of narrative is strong & sharp-flavored, and his pictures vividly drawn:
"Along the trail men were sitting in the snow, unable to stand. Some were coughing, many had extreme constipation, all were starving. Here and there was a man who had passed out on the march, pitching off the trail, lying facedown in the snow..."
He breaks his chapters into vignettes, and the reader races along. It's hard to put it down once you start reading.

While Flood employs a good deal of imagination in fleshing out the unknowable details of the stories, his bibliography and footnotes testify to this being a thoroughly researched book. He has quoted generously from letters and diaries, and provides several maps and a section of portraits. This is an excellent read for someone new to the history of the American Revolution, likely to give them an appetite to learn more, and is just as fine for the Rev War scholar.

I read the book from front to back she start out slow then will bring to high spots keep you reading the story beacuse you want to know whats going to happen next.It feels like the aurther is into the very page of each story with all her heart and feeling like living it herself very good book . I hope she working on another one .Keep up the fast pace watch out truckers .

Roadbabe keeps your engine reviving. Watch those dangerous curves and make sure your seat belt has a quick release. Morris has really crossed the double yellow line with this one. Five Stars!

Roadbabe keeps your engine reviving. Watch those dangerous curves and make sure your seat belt has a quick release. Morris has really crossed the double yellow line with this one. Five Stars!

Richard Dansky does a wonderful job evoking a claustrophobic, oppressive atmosphere. It'll take you out of your livingroom and put you right into the story.

I don't know what's creepier about the being in this story--its differences to humans or its similarities. A great eerie read.

Very few stories can provide the creeps during daylight hours, but Mr. Dansky's THE ROAD BEST NOT TAKEN does so, in spades! Dansky has a wonderful gift of evoking mood, place and atmosphere and this story excels in putting you amidst the swampy jungles of North Carolina's hinterlands with creatures that exist only in your most private nightmares.

It isn't so much the creature in this story that is frightening, but the universal situation of being stranded alone in a place that is both terrifying and eternal, with no hope of escape.

This is definitely a story to read in the darkest and deepest depths of night...but only if you're the kind of person who enjoys the feel of willowy fingers brushing against the back of your neck and the sound of your own heart picking up speed.

This a good in depth look at the Renaisance Festival behind the scenes, and fuuny also.

The Road Dog Diary is an entertaining novel full of colorful characters. As an added bonus, it is an intimate look at a specific place and time which will never be repeated again. It was fun to read about what takes place behind the scenes at the Rennaisance Festivals.

Yes, that title makes a pretty big comparison, but one that I think is quite valid. Honestly, for rennies this is an important piece of literature that captures the real atmosphere of being on the road on the Ren circuit.

Calling this a novel seems a bit much, I have a feeling that it is a more fictionalized account of the author's time onthe circuit. Certainly, as with "On the Road", it is easy to spot some of the better know personalities behind their thin fictional veil (such as Smee and Blog). In some ways that makes this book even better, knowing that there are real people and certainly real places involved in the story.

Having spent time on the circuit (admittedly a decade after this book takes place) I found myself awash in memories of places and people. Seeing mentions of locales like "Henry's Hideout" really drove the reality of this story home. Hell, I think being in a barfight at Henry's is the equivalent of a Rennie merit badge, at least it was a while back.

For anyone that just spends weekends at Faires, or playtrons who want to know what the real experience is like? This book is a must read. The looks at the inner workings of what REALLY goes on (or at least went on) at faires, the nods to faire legends which may or may not be true, the capturing of the entire culture, the good the bad, the brutal. All of it is told in a frank and honest fashion.

When I went on the road "On the Road" was something like required reading. Half of the road Rens I knew had battered papaerback copies of it. It was something to read when you felt down. Something to show you that there was someone else out there who had an understanding of your experience.

The Road Dog Diary fits that niche better than anything I've seen and it does it in a fun and entertaining fashion. Anyone who calls themselves a "Rennie" should read this book, whether a Rennie, a Weekender, or a Playtron.