Backroads of the Great American West describes and details with full-color photos and maps the most scenic routes in the Rocky Mountains, Texas, Desert Southwest, California, and Pacific Northwest.

“Enlightening and inspiring.” — Walter Isaacson “Barry probes the American soul, finding its biases, but also, nurtured by its complicated past, our better angels — with an opportunity to move forward.” — Ken Burns Bringing together two of America’s unifying loves — road trips and Abraham Lincoln — Frank Barry takes readers on a thought-provoking journey into the heart of our democracy and the soul of our country A year into his marriage and having never driven an RV, Frank and his wife Laurel set out from New York City in a Winnebago to drive the nation’s first transcontinental route, the Lincoln Highway, which zigzags through small towns and big cities from Times Square to San Francisco. Using the spirit of Abraham Lincoln to guide them across the land, they hope to see more clearly what holds the country together — and how we can keep it together, even amidst political divisions have grown increasingly rancorous, bitter, and exhausting. Along the way, Frank and Laurel meet Americans whose personal experiences help humanize the nation’s divisions, and they encounter historical figures and events whose legacies are still shaping our sense of national identity and the struggles over it. This unforgettable journey is full of what makes any great road trip memorable and enjoyable: music, conversation, and laughter. By the end, readers will have a clearer picture of how we have arrived at a period that carries echoes of the Civil War era, and — using Lincoln as a guide — where the path forward lies.

In July 1965, an Artesian Turquoise Chevrolet Biscayne rolled off a General Motors assembly line. Little did James Ward know that this car would become a cherished member of his family, playing a role in his wedding, honeymoon, years of graduate school, birth of his daughter, and her wedding, among countless other memories. Four decades--and a lot of history--later, the author still drives this rolling historical artifact dubbed Phoebe. Using the Biscayne as a narrative thread, this first-person account explores facets of American history the author and Phoebe experienced since the mid-1960s, such as a KKK cross-burning, a civil rights march, Hurricane Betsy, numerous local diners, motels, and parks, and interesting people and out-of-the-way places. Looking for remnants of their youth, they drove across back roads in twenty-first century America. Photographs accompany this unique memoir.

Now available in PDF format. Scenic routes, charming hotels, authentic regional cuisine . . . Take a journey through the back roads of California to discover the area's real soul and charm. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Back Roads California driving vacation guide will take you via scenic routes to discover charming Californian towns, local restaurants, and intimate places to stay. Twenty-four themed drives, each lasting one to five days, reveal breathtaking views, hidden gems, and authentic local experiences that can only be discovered by road. Each tour is bursting with insider knowledge and loaded with ideas for varied activities, from short walks and longer hikes to days on the beach or at a spa, to wine tours, cycling trips, and watersports. Meanwhile, the most friendly, best-value hotels and guesthouses and restaurants specializing in regional produce have been selected by expert authors. Full-color throughout, with all the practical information you could need, from road conditions and length of drive to parking information, opening hours, and zip code information for use with a GPS device. Discover the unexpected on your road trip with DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Back Roads California.

In a career spanning more than fifty years, Wallace Stegner (1909?93) emerged as the greatest contemporary author of the American West?writing more than two dozen works of history, biography, essays, and fiction, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Angle of Repose and the bestselling Crossing to Safety. Jackson J. Benson?s Wallace Stegner: His Life and Work is the first full-dress biography of this celebrated ?Dean of Western Writers.? Drawing on nearly ten years of research and unlimited access to Stegner?s letters and personal files, Benson traces the trajectory of Wallace Stegner?s life from his birth on his grandfather?s Iowa farm to his prominence as an award-winning writer, critic, historian, environmental activist, and teacher, and as founder of Stanford?s creative writing program. But Benson?s book is as much a consideration of Stegner?s literary legacy as it is a retelling of his life. His critical reassessment of the entire body of Stegner?s work argues convincingly for his subject?s place in the literary canon?not merely as a ?regional? Western writer but straightforwardly as one of the great American writers of the twentieth century.

Take to the open road with DK Eyewitness Back Roads California and discover 24 leisurely drives through the state's idyllic hamlets, gorgeous beaches, and sprawling vineyards. Tour the Pacific Coast Highway, explore the vineyards of the Napa Valley, or drive through Yosemite National Park. Includes insider tips and information, this easy-to-use e-guide reveals incredible sights, hidden gems, and authentic local experiences that can be discovered only by road. Inside DK Eyewitness Back Roads California: - 24 easy-to-follow driving tours, each lasting one to five days - Guided walks take you through California's pretty villages, historic towns, and national parks - Experts suggest the best off-road activities in each area, from wine tours to water sports - Contains essential travel tips, including our pick of where to stay, eat, and shop, plus useful travel, visa, and health information - Covers all the US rules of the road - Includes zip codes for use with GPS, plus information on road conditions and parking tips - Covers San Francisco, Sacramento Delta, Marin County, Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley, Redwood National and State Parks, Cascade Mountains, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Parks, Owens Valley, Death Valley National Park, Mojave Desert, Palm Springs, Coachella Valley, Rim of the World Scenic Byway, San Diego, and more Staying for longer and looking for a more comprehensive e-guide to California? Try our DK Eyewitness Travel Guide California.

Do you like small towns, places off the beaten path, trips down memory lane? Ever wonder if old-fashioned values are still alive in America? Then kick back, unwind, and hop onboard with travel writer Bill Graves as he takes you On the Back Roads. Graves has a knack for finding the quirky, the offbeat in some of the most obscure, yet fascinating, small towns on the map. Among the places and faces he discovers: a town where it's against the law not to own a gun, a town famous for its split pea soup, the wise 83-year-old Emmy who camps alone in the dessert, and a man who hunts live ants for a living. The list goes on! Retired and free to roam in his motorhome, the &“RV Author,&” Bill Graves, logs 40,000 miles through the western states of California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Wyoming.

Now available in PDF format. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Back Roads Ireland vacation driving tour guidebook reveals the secret gems and hidden delights that can only be discovered along the Emerald Isle's most scenic routes and back roads. Twenty-five themed drives, each lasting one to five days, introduces travelers to the soul of Ireland--from the golden beaches of Cork and the spectacular Sheep's Head peninsula to the bushy glens of classic Northern Ireland and spellbinding caverns of the lakelands. Along the way, these driving tours of Ireland highlight day-trips and activities such as walks and hikes, bird-watching and beach strolls, islands and lighthouses, and children's attractions. Pass by ancient stone circles and megalithic tombs, Celtic crosses, medieval castles, and stately homes. Practical information, such as road conditions, lengths of drives, and zip codes for GPS devices, accompanies the complete itineraries and pull-out map, as do listings for the best-value hotels, intimate guesthouses, local produce-friendly restaurants, and cozy pubs. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Back Roads Ireland leads travelers to the most authentic and delightful experiences the country has to offer.

Covering the central region of the province of Alberta, including the cities of Red Deer and Edmonton, this book is your ultimate guide to camping, hiking, fishing, ATVing, hunting, snowmobiling, paddling and industry resource sites in this spectacular region. From the area around Lac La Biche in the northeastern reaches of this book, where some of Alberta’s best lake fishing can be found, to the stunning Rocky Mountain Parks in the western reaches and the sprawling prairie wilderness in between, Central Alberta is full of outdoor adventure opportunities. This is an expansive area, and while that makes for plenty of space to work, explore and play, it can also make finding that special outdoor spot that much more difficult. This is why we have taken great care to provide you with the most comprehensive and easy-to-use mapbook on the market. Features - Map Key & Legend - Topographic Maps - Detailed Adventure Section >> Backroad Attractions, Fishing Locations, Hunting Areas, Paddling Routes, Parks & Campsites, Trail Systems, ATV Routes,Snowmobile Areas, Wildlife Viewing, Winter Recreation, Service Directory, Accommodations, Sales & Services, Tours & Guides, Index, Adventure Index, Map Index, Trip Planning Tools,