With the assistance of Bloomsbury Press and Walker Books, I gave away several copies of this book last week. If the winners enjoy the book as much as I did, they will be very happy that they won.
Bill Barich decided to emulate, in theory, John Steinbeck's 1960 drive across America, chronicled in his book Charley and Me. Steinbeck framed his trip around the pivotal 1960 presidential campaign and Barich's loose theme was the 2008 Obama/McCain election. Steinbeck drove Rocinante, while Barich rented a Ford Focus. Steinbeck took his dog, Charley. Barich, traveled alone but did take a well-worn copy of Charley and Me. There are other differences, to be sure, but there is enough in common to deserve the subtitle, "On the Trail of Steinbeck's America."
I love me some Steinbeck, so I was predisposed to like this book. But in the hands of a lesser writer -- someone less in touch with how to write leisurely about a leisurely trip -- this book could have been boring. Barich, however, skillfully keeps us abreast of each town he visits, some history of each place, and, usually, some tales of his interaction with the locals.
Readers of this blog know that Bill Bryson is canonized herein. Bill Barich is a worthy companion for those times between Bryson books -- I will be looking for Bill Barich's other writings.
I was one of your lucky winners and can't wait to read this book. Thank you!
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