Roadside Americana

You can probably fill a bookcase or two with books like this. They pop-up in tourist souvenir shops everywhere, aimed at a general readership and most of them are easily forgotten. I bought this one mainly because of the large size though as another reviewer has rightly said the photo quality, overall, is average and I can add to this by saying the page design is bland and predictable. However I think there are good points: the coverage is rather comprehensive, from the Hollywood sign, Randy's Donuts in Inglewood, Los Angeles, Haines Shoe House, York, Pennsylvania to the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. These are all sort of national treasures and there are plenty more in the book, as large photos, too. Americana in the title helps define what should be included though that also raises the question: just how tacky and temporary can a structure be before it's not worth including, fortunately not too many here fall into that category. If you can find it cheap enough this isn't a bad buy (at the original price I would have definitely passed) but if you like this sort of roadside exuberance check out Jim Heimann's lovely California Crazy and Beyond: Roadside Vernacular Architecture, David Graham has done four roadside books and the leader of the pack John Margolies has several books. Ones I've enjoyed are: Fun Along the Road: American Tourist Attractions - Another Amazing Album from America's Number One Roadside Observer and The End of the Road: Vanishing Highway Architecture in America in several editions. ***SEE SOME INSIDE PAGES by clicking 'customer images' under the cover.

Another solid piece of travel writing from up-and-coming author Eric Peterson. Funny, insightful takes on America's roadside landmarks: "the geographic center of north america is in Rugby, North Dakota, and it's also the geographic center of the densest population of roadside goliaths...big statues are good, but bigger statues are better." Bravo, Mr. Peterson!