Roadside Americana

by Michael Karl Witzel, Tim Steil

While countless books have covered individual Americana, roadside culture, and car-related subjects, none have attempted to encapsulate the lure of roadside America in one neatly packaged volume. But what is Americana, if not an expanse of fond memories and compelling kitsch as vast as the nation itself.This smorgasbord offers discriminating readers a tasty assortment of A-Z articles and accompanying photographs and images that touch upon all the old chestnuts (Route 66, drive-in restaurants, filling stations, et al) as well as some edgier topics to appeal to younger generations interested in the seedier and/or more whimsical sides of roadside America (how about Earl Scheib, the Chicago entrepreneur who promised America that he could paint and car for $99; a brief history of 1950s juvenile delinquent hot rod films; or a look back at the brief but brilliant film and TV series "Then Came Bronson"?). As with any encyclopedia, each entry varies in length, depending upon the relative importance of the subject. All of the standards are there, and if some of the 250 entries seem arbitrary, its because they are.

This book is a compilation of Witzel's Gas Station Memories (ISBN 0879389257) and Drive-In Deluxe (ISBN 0760302111) and Steil's Route 66 (ISBN 0760307474).

Genres: Travel

285 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003