James Rosin, who published a book about the “Route 66” television drama a few years ago, in mid-January published an extensively revised and augmented edition.
“Route 66: The Television Series” (286 pages, softcover, Autumn Road, $21.95) contains about 100 more pages than its 2007 predecessor. (A review of the first book can be read here.) It still contains extensive summaries of all 116 episodes, plus stories and quotes from the stars, directors and producers about how “Route 66” was made.
“Route 66,” which aired from 1960 to 1964, co-starred Martin Milner and George Maharis (read my interview with Maharis from a few years ago here). Milner and Maharis portrayed Tod Stiles and Buz Murdock, respectively, as they tooled around the country in a Corvette convertible, looking for adventure.
The series earned praise for its on-location shooting, and its smart and socially conscious scripts. “Route 66” earned two Emmy nominations during its relatively short run.
Here are the other additions and improvements to Rosin’s new book:
- Additional commentary by the producers and actors, including Maharis.
- Plot summaries of each episode have been revised, and contain no spoilers.
- More photographs.
- Rosin’s top 25 episodes.
- A listing of memorable scenes.
- Favorite quotes from the show.
- Awards and nominations.
- Trivia questions.
About the only thing missing from Rosin’s book is a mention of the short-lived revival of the “Route 66” series in 1993. It lasted just four episodes, and was critically reviled. So Rosin’s omission of the latter-day series probably is no great loss.
Perhaps coincidentally, DVD releases of the first three seasons of “Route 66” finally started to arrive barely a year after Rosin’s initial book was published. Now with Rosin’s revised volume, perhaps the long-delayed Season 4 eventually will make it to the digital format.