Route 66: The Mother Road 75th Anniversary Edition Paperback – June 23, 2001

A very explicit and historical book for anyone traveling on Route 66; sightseeing, interesting restaurants, and shops can be found. Good pictures of interesting places to visit.

Good photos and info. Helped me plan a trip.

Great book with info on quirky stops all along the way. Good history info presented in as fun and interesting.

Bought this book for my husband's 66th birthday. He loves reading the history of the Route 66 highway! Interesting pictures also!

This is a great book for just kicking back and taking a virtual ride on Rt. 66. I, myself, have never been down the road as I am an East Coaster and never yet made the western trek to California. However, I always dreamed of doing such in a RV and now I know for sure what road to take.While I have heard of Rt. 66 before, I (never prior to reading this book) knew much about the road. What got me started on Rt. 66. was the fairly recent Disney movie "Cars" (of which I highly recommend seeing). The movie touched upon what Rt. 66 means to America and it's past and also the effects of the Interstate system and I-40 on Rt. 66.The author of the book, Michael Wallis, has a cameo in "Cars" as the voice of the police car. So it was quite obvious to me that if Mr. Wallis' knowledge is good enough for Disney...Well, this made my decision very clear on what Rt. 66 book to purchase.Wallis's knowledge of the road is fantastic and expansive. He takes you from the road's beginnings both literally and historically. You go through each state and further to each town along the route, explaining in detail how the roads beginnings were to how they are today. After reaching California, Wallis then has a dedicated chapter on how a recent movement is presently undergoing to restore Rt. 66. highlighting those business's that remain and new and old attractions to visit.As other reviews pointed out, this book does create a very vivid image in one's mind that does allow you to virtually go down Rt. 66. It is a great 'primer' for those who want to brush up on thier Rt.66 history and also gives you a good idea of places to visit once you plan a trip on the historic road.Created in sections by state, you can either choose to go through the book front to back as I have or choose to reach each state in more detail. Everything is here.The only gripe I would have with the book is that while it is an excellent historical document on Rt. 66, I was hoping that key places would be easier to find and laid out more like a reference book. This way I could easily look up attractions in each state and see how they were and how they are now. I am assuming I would get this wish by buying Russ Olsen's "Route 66: Then and Now" book.As for traveling, I know I would want a quick reference. If you are traveling Route 66, using this book as a reference will have you fumbling through pages. So this book is best read BEFORE one takes on the trip. For the road trip itself I was recommended "Route 66 Adventure Handbook" by Drew Knowles and also the "EZ66 guide for travlers" by Jerry McClanahan. (I have still yet to read these). From what I gathered by other reviewers these two books supplemented with Wallis's book would give anyone everything they would need to know about Rt. 66.So bottom line, for overall history and just about everything you need to know about Rt 66. while taking a virtual tour of the road, well, this is it. This is where this book shines. A fantastic book best read from cover to cover.However for a quick reference to take on an actual Rt. 66 road trip, that is where this book falls short. There are probably better sources for that task.Overall a great buy for the price and it would make a great addition to anyone's American history library and it would also make a great coffee table book (especially if they made a hardcover edition).

I've driven the route from Chicago to Santa Monica, and I loved the trip and hope to make it again soon. One trip on the Mother Road, and it becomes part of you. You find yourself driven to learn more and more about this cross-section of the United States, and you end up reading lots of books. This book is the best of them all. Author Michael Wallis is an excellent researcher, and a good author, and his books are a delight to read. - I've also read his book on the Lincoln Highway and another on the Donner Party and their winter crossing of the Sierra.Read this book, drive the highway, and then read the book again. You won't regret it.

We live just south of part of old Route 66. My family is a fan of its historical info. Bought book to put out on coffee table for people to look thru at their leisure for a conversation starter.

and thought it'd be good to read B4 we plan the trip !....Very well done with original photos and people involved with businesses and travel, restaurants of the times and many were still in business....The story should be good reading for most anyone...