In 'Travels with Charley in Search of America,' John Steinbeck embarks on a cross-country journey with his beloved poodle, Charley, seeking to understand the essence of American identity during the 1960s. As they navigate the diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures of the nation, Steinbeck encounters both the beauty and the complexities of life in America. Through candid reflections and keen observations, he reveals the universal truths that bind people together, transcending regional differences. This travelogue invites readers to explore the heart and soul of a country at a crossroads, urging them to consider what truly defines a nation. Join Steinbeck and Charley on a quest that is as much about discovery as it is about self-reflection, leaving you curious about the America you think you know.
By John Steinbeck
Published: 2012
"The first half of our lives is ruined by our parents and the second half by our children."
A collectible 50th anniversary deluxe edition featuring an updated introduction by Jay Parini and first edition cover art and illustrated maps of Steinbeck’s route by Don Freeman A Penguin Classic In September 1960, John Steinbeck embarked on a journey across America. He felt that he might have lost touch with the country, with its speech, the smell of its grass and trees, its color and quality of light, the pulse of its people. To reassure himself, he set out on a voyage of rediscovery of the American identity, accompanied by a distinguished French poodle named Charley; and riding in a three-quarter-ton pickup truck named Rocinante. His course took him through almost forty states: northward from Long Island to Maine; through the Midwest to Chicago; onward by way of Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana (with which he fell in love), and Idaho to Seattle, south to San Francisco and his birthplace, Salinas; eastward through the Mojave, New Mexico, Arizona, to the vast hospitality of Texas, to New Orleans and a shocking drama of desegregation; finally, on the last leg, through Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to New York. Travels with Charley in Search of America is an intimate look at one of America's most beloved writers in the later years of his life—a self-portrait of a man who never wrote an explicit autobiography. Written during a time of upheaval and racial tension in the South—which Steinbeck witnessed firsthand—Travels with Charley is a stunning evocation of America on the eve of a tumultuous decade. This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition also features French flaps and deckle-edged paper. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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“The first half of our lives is ruined by our parents and the second half by our children.”
Travels with Charley in Search of America
By John Steinbeck
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John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was an American author renowned for his poignant novels exploring themes of social justice, human struggle, and the American experience. Born in Salinas, California, he drew heavily on his experiences in the state’s agricultural heartland, which influenced works like "The Grapes of Wrath" and "East of Eden." Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962, recognizing his rich and empathetic storytelling. His writing often highlighted the plight of the marginalized, reflecting his deep compassion for the working class. Today, Steinbeck's legacy endures, inspiring readers and writers with his profound insights into humanity and society.
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