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Summary: Stunning Account Of The Land And The People
Review: This surely deserves its place among the hallowed shelves of Great American Writing. It stands alone as perhaps the most light-hearted of Steinbecks books, yet also one of the most sensitive and thoughtful, being a partial auto-biography. This is in no way, shape, or form, a boring book, as many disappointed young high school readers have said. Quite sorry, kids, but English class is not meant to be filled with snappy little series books that require little more thought[possibly less] than a telivision show. Steinbeck, perhaps is ''my'' writer in that he seems to capture my thoughts and feelings to the point of perfection, and with frightful clarity. This book is such a suberb rendition of America that the new comer to this country would do well to read it to get a feel for the land. It seems as if the plains of the Heartland, the peaks of the North, the desert land[that I know best] of the South West are all presented as if they are skillful little photographs, taken with a firm and learned hand.Different from the typical travel book in that it is not so much about the land or people[though they play a tangible role] as it is about the authors own emotions and thoughts on this wonderful country, this totally unique land. Reccomended to all who love Steinbeck, America, and clear thought. Pouncing Fossa
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Summary: Down To Earth Genius
Review: Steinbeck took an inspiring & educational trip with Charlie, saw sights, and had interesting conversations with the folks he encountered across America. Steinbeck is a genius who can say so much, so brilliantly, with so few words. He noted subtle regional differences of the people of our country but what I liked was on of his many points I agreed with, to paraphrase...we are more American than we are Northerners, Southerners, Westerners, Whites or Blacks as a whole. Another thing I can relate to is how in the beginning of the book, as Steinbeck was preparing for his journey, American folks were asking typically curious and also very stupid questions about his trip, and why he wanted to partake in it. Is there something wrong with Americans who have a desire to explore and experience new people and places? Americans are still as chained to this rigid mentality today as they were when Steinbeck penned this classic. A must read.
Rating: 
Summary: A great book about America
Review: As a travel book and a literary work this is very good (I hesitate to say excellent) and I think every American, as well as anyone interested in America, should read it. The problem is that it has no plot so things can get draggy, and events aren't wrapped up nicely as in fiction (like the deserted motel he comes across). Memorable characters don't stay for more than half a chapter. But there're lovely descriptive scenes, enough to make me want to run down to New England and Montana right away in the autumn; there're insightful observations and analyses (admittedly cliched and sentimental) and there's humour, a humour that's just as willingly directed inward at himself as outward at his journey.
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Summary: Lucky for Us They Found It
Review: Travels with Charley is a book that could not be written by any living writer. To write such a book requires the possession of a deeply ingrained curiosity about and love of people, a remarkable command of the English language, enough years under the belt to vividly recall a time when things were not as the are now, a hearty and tenacious grasp of life, and a sense adventure. It is difficult to imagine a modern novelist undertaking such a quest. Just think of it, Toni Morrison travelling about the country in a pickup with her dog (or cat for that matter), stopping at truck stops, camping in parks, and sleeping in roadside motels, all the while blending into the background, appearing as just an average Joe (or Josephine) so as to get a true picture of the land and its people and recording it all without once making a psychologically revealing admission. They just don't make them like ol' John anymore. More's the pity. To see the book as just an interesting slice of Americana is to miss the point. Mr. Steinbeck was present at a number of important historical events in the life of America, especially during his travels through the southern states during their turbulent time of integration. He witnessed the integration of a school with all its protests and he recorded it without political posturing, without ulterior motive, simply as a witness to the people and the event. He described the birth of the modern interstate system and chronicled the effects it was beginning and could be expected to have on the small roadside towns throughout the nation. He recorded the rise of the motor hotel and the advent of the recreational vehicle. These may not seem significant now, but think how ubiquitous they have now become. Can you really imagine traveling by automobile these days without seeing a camper or motor home, or passing a Motel 6? Mr. Steinbeck also chronicles the more subtle aspects of American life - the homogenization of both the country's language and its food, the form, style, and purpose of religion in America, and the mind of the people. This last is perhaps the most interesting. Along with John Dos Passos and Studs Terkel, Mr. Steinbeck has given us a great gift by having taken the time simply to talk with people and record what they said. Not what the policy makers and captains of industry said, but what Bill and Mary Jones of Cedar Rapids said. He had the restraint to listen, to follow along in conversations rather than to lead them. This in itself is not only a lost art, but a lost character quality among our nations people, especially our intellectuals and artists. This is not only a book that should be read, it is a book that should be loaned. Loan it to everyone you know. I myself own three copies just to have two to loan to others. The book is that good and that important. We will not have another writer of such quality; let us therefor take all the more effort to appreciate his life's work.
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Summary: Travel 1960's America and get to know John Steinbeck !
Review: I read Travels with Charley after reading most of Steinbeck's novels. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately read it again. This work lets the reader get a glimpse of John Steinbeck, the American and the man. I put American first because Steinbeck, I believe, was one of those men who loved his country so much, that he seemed to consider himself an American above all else. I enjoy creative works by individuals who have an unquestionable love for something. I believe Steinbeck was such a person. In the early '60's he is dismayed (but loves) America, and so sets out to rediscover her. Since he is a shy person, he takes his dog, a large black poodle named Charlie, with him to help break the ice with people as he travels around the country. What follows is an account of the places he goes and the people he meets, but more importantly to me as a huge Steinbeck fan, is the uncovering of John Steinbeck, the man. If you want a vicarious trip into '60's America or want to know John Steinbeck, you'll love this little book. I still love it !
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Summary: All it took was a poodle to make Steinback loveable.
Review: Wow! Let me repeat: WOW! Steinbeck is not particularly known for his humor, but in Travels with Charley, he lets everything spill out of the bag. I don't want to ruin anything about this book for those who haven't read it, but it is one of the top five travel books I've ever come upon. (far better than On the Road, and right up there with Travels in Hyperreality). Steinbeck packs his bags at the age of 60, and heads out to discover an America he claims he hasn't known for over 20 years. And although he never, in so many words, tells precisely what the White Whale of America is, I think he tells us the following: America is a land of people who want to go somewhere else so they can be alone; and the only reason they want to go anywhere is so they can come back and tell everyone about it. A word of warning: You will cringe at Steinbeck's description of the American South, and realize just how different it is than the rest of America. Also: it is interesting to note that at the height of his career (1960), probably only less famous than Ernest Hemingway of all world literary figures at the time, not a single person recognized Steinbeck in his three months abroad. Tell me that isn't depressing for any Leos out there with literary aspirations. :)
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Summary: One of the most wonderful books I have read
Review: To me, John Steinbeck is the great voice of twentieth century America. There is not an author that is more distinctly American. To read the thoughts of this great man directly is an indescribable pleasure. After reading Travels With Charley, I feel more personally aquainted with the writer who for years has been my favorite. Anyone who has an interest in the study of what makes Americans American should read this book. I love all of Steinbeck's books, and this may very well be my favorite. (For the record, my other Steinbeck favorites are East of Eden, Cannery Row, and The Pastures of Heaven)
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Summary: Intimate portrait of a great writer...
Review: What makes this book so special to me is that I feel I am close to one of the great writers of all time. Sometimes the book seems (and of course, it is) dated, sometimes it seems visionary. But most of all, it is warm and touching and the writer's obvious love of his dog is particularly dear. It makes a "great" man quite human, although it is amusing to note that Kerouac's "On The Road" is a far-superior book - a truly great work. Steinbeck's fiction is much better than this travelog, but still, it's a joy to read and I feel like I really got to know him as a friend.
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Summary: A beautifully memoir
Review: I first read this when in high school, now at 40 I have just reread it. As with all of Stenbeck's books it is beautifully written. I don't consider it his most interesting book but it is one of my favorites. His compassionate observations of America and Americans are as relevant now as they were in 1960. You will cringe with disgust when he describes the "cheerleaders." (Unfortunately such people and attitudes still exist in our society.) Some have complained that this book plods along. I'll admit that it is a bit slow at times but comic books don't plod, but they aren't great literature either. Read this book and you will love this man - not only for his writing but for who he was and what he believed.
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Summary: A wonderful account of America
Review: Travels With Charley is a charming, honest, and in a way, innocent novel. It is not so much a story but re-telling of a journey by the 60 year-old Author and his observations of Americans and the Americans people think they know. There's nothing you can say about this book that is to be negative. It's just a man who went, as you can tell by the title, in search of America with his dog, Charley. I wouldn't call it a must-read, or a defining novel in any writer's career. It's just a charming story told by a man who you'd want to hear a charming story from. "Ftt."
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