Route 66: The Mother Road

by David Knudson

Begun in 1926 to connect Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 was the country's first major east-west thoroughfare. By 1930 it was an important route for both truckers and travellers alike, and in 1939 it became known as 'The Mother Road' thanks to John Steinbeck's classic "The Grapes of Wrath". Over the years, hundreds of thousands of Americans travelled this great road - from those heading west during the Great Depression to postwar families taking road trips across the country - but by the 1970s four-lane highways, expressways, and tollways had largely supplanted it, and Route 66 fell into disrepair. In this book, authority David Knudson traces the fascinating story of The Mother Road from origins to decline, including the roadside attractions and cottage industries it spawned and the efforts to save and restore it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been on my to-read for quite a while (5 years?). I am so totally not sure how it got there, but it is short so I picked it up yesterday. And I am left with a WTF look on my face. I expected a historical analysis, or a historical fiction story, or something interesting.

Nope. This is simply a guide book. Knudson divides it up into three sections: the birth of route 66 (interesting and historical), then the revitalizing of it (sad but true the interstates killed the small town), and finally a list of most interesting stops.

Yes, he did make me want to take a road trip (a little), but most of his historical information just skims the surface. He mentions two other books about Route 66, both of which are probably better and more in depth.

Overall this is a cliff notes meets guide book. Not really sure why I read it.

[Deb Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short over view with some history, photos and info about recent efforts to restore the road.

[Jim Swike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short read, but very interesting, about the Title Road. Probably add a star if you traveled the road. Enjoy!

[Yvonne]

Small book on Route 66. Some interesting historical facts; a few sites/buildings have already vanished. So it goes...
The best guide to travel the Mother Road is the EZ66 Guide. You'll get lost without it as soon as you leave Chicago. :-) I was happy to buy my second copy (5th edition) this year and enjoy it again. I wonder how many Route 66 books will be published in 2026. I hope for a new Then and Now. Go drive the Route people! It is so special with such wonderful people.

[Christopher Hachet · Rating 4 out of 5]

inspired me to do more research

Exploring Route 66 is a bucket list thing for me. Doing additional research.

This book recommends an Atlas for finding the original Route 66, of which about 80 percent is currently drivable.

Really want to hop in my black Ford pickup and head west.

[Jayson Campeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Planning a trip down old Route 66 next winter and found this book to be a great starting point for research.

[Kbreach · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for a vacation-by-association with one but it never quite made it. Maybe just right for some readers, but not me.

[Rodney Bittick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much to this book. I expected more.