"Travels With Charley" by John Steinbeck

[Adrian W]

Correct me if I am remembering this wrong. In the book "Travels With Charley" by John Steinbeck, one night after being worried with some people's behavior as he was over-nighting at some point in his travels, he stepped out of his pickup camper with a shot gun to scare them off. Did He or Didn't He?

In 1960, Steinbeck bought a pickup truck and had it modified with a custom-built camper top -- rare for that day -- and drove across the United States with his faithful poodle, Charley. His book has been credited for the boom in RVing from then on. I read it back in the 70's and enjoyed it, however, I already had a pickup with a camper shell on it by the time I read the book. I can not remember what had him worried but I remember a shot gun, I think.

I may have to find a copy to read again. Hoping someone has read it out there and can tell me if I am truely remembering it correctly.

Thanks!

[Frederick L. Simson]

one night after being worried with some people's behavior as he was over-nighting at some point in his travels, he stepped out of his pickup camper with a shot gun to scare them off. Did He or Didn't He?

I can not remember what had him worried but I remember a shot gun, I think.

[b]I may have to find a copy to read again.

The passages became darker during his time in New Orleans. I think I remember reading about some ugly racial incident that happened there, but I read it some time ago.

[b]I may have to find a copy to read again.

[AndyW]

Great book. I always remember the passage about the devil-faced man who helped him fix a blown tire.

Blue Highways is similar, although as I recall, there wasn't a camper involved with that one.

[BobB]

I agree that it's a great book. I've hauled out the old volume a couple of times since we got the Casita 4 years ago. The tire story was a good one, especially after reading about similar tire problems in the letters to editors and on the forums. Being from CA, I enjoyed his comments about Texas, the Texas "orgy" and Texans in general (he was married to one). His writings are also controversial. I've known several people who objected strongly to them. The part about the South in TWC was uncomfortable (racial tension). That's part of life in this country as well. Steinbeck did win the Nobel Prize for literature in 1962 and the 1940 Pulitzer Prize. Not too shabby!

[Des Nolan]

The passages became darker during his time in New Orleans. I think I remember reading about some ugly racial incident that happened there, but I read it some time ago.

[b]I may have to find a copy to read again.

To find a copy of anything bookish, go to: abebooks.com a fantastic website for 13,500 Booksellers, worldwide.

Des

[gillian s]

i reread this book this past winter while camping in dixie with my dog.
the camping was better in those days; one could find an idyllic pullover almost anywhere it seemed and life held more adventure in the united states.
but, i concluded that the world has become a much better place since steinbeck's day. i really enjoyed the south and witnessed only harmony and goodwill everywhere i went. i was also very impressed with the politeness of southeners and the magnanimous hospitality i encountered as a yankee south of the mason dixon. in fact, i am looking forward to exploring more of the south by camper, the landscape is gorgeous and the people are fascinating.