Michael Wallis, author of the best-selling and Pulitzer-nominated "Route 66: The Mother Road," gave a presentation Friday during Tulsa Town Hall. His speech covered a lot of ground on Oklahoma history, including mentions of Woody Guthrie and the infamous Tulsa Race Riot. But this part of the exemplary Tulsa World article is worth excerpting: His first real … Continue reading How Michael Wallis ended up in Oklahoma
Category: Books
Shimmering in the night
Here's a short-but-sweet new video of the great neon sign at the Supai Motel, along Route 66 in Seligman, Ariz. https://youtu.be/V7BistQ0xv4 The video was created by Andrew Wood, a professor at San Jose State University and a longtime roadie. He owns the Motel Americana website, and published "City Ubiquitous," in which Route 66 played a … Continue reading Shimmering in the night
Book review: “32 Minutes in May”
Like me, I suspect many will encounter mixed feelings while reading the first comprehensive book about the deadly tornado that ravaged Joplin, Mo., on May 22, 2011. But on further reflection, there are good reasons to buy "32 Minutes in May -- The Joplin Tornado" (142 pages, hardback, Pediment Publishing, $34.95) -- other than a portion … Continue reading Book review: “32 Minutes in May”
Book review: “Oklahoma Route 66” (second edition)
Longtime readers of Route 66 News know I've often cited Jim Ross' "Oklahoma Route 66" guidebook when reporting on the Mother Road's history or its obscure alignments in the Sooner State. Though that volume was published back in 2001, it remains one of the most indispensable Route 66 guides. However, getting hold of a copy … Continue reading Book review: “Oklahoma Route 66” (second edition)
Book review: “Billy Connolly’s Route 66”
"Billy Connolly's Route 66" was a highly rated, four-episode television program that aired on ITV1 in the United Kingdom this fall. It earned a lot of praise from roadies who saw it, and its popularity very likely will spur a new wave of Britons traveling Route 66 in 2012. This entertaining but flawed book of … Continue reading Book review: “Billy Connolly’s Route 66”
A closer look at Amboy
This sprawling video by Carlos Garcia Aceves is about the Route 66 town of Amboy, Calif.; Juan Pollo restaurant chain proprietor and Amboy owner Albert Okura, and the Roy's sign in Amboy. https://youtu.be/Nb8UHIohI2g Good nuggets about the history of Amboy are found in the first eight minutes. The middle part is an interview with Okura. … Continue reading A closer look at Amboy
Book review: “Route 66 Sightings”
The first time I leafed through the new photography book "Route 66 Sightings," I encountered one large image that stopped me in my tracks: It was Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Cafe of Stroud, Okla., standing amid the ruins of her Route 66 restaurant after a fire gutted it in 2008. Her hands are … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Sightings”
Coming attractions
This novel won't be in stores until April 1, but its publisher already is promoting it -- and using YouTube to do so: https://youtu.be/vVT8B96Zmx0 A summary of the book: Within the course of a week, marriage expert Natalie Marino is dumped by her husband, receives an urgent call home from her father, and discovers her … Continue reading Coming attractions
Route 66’s starting point
WBBM Channel 2 in Chicago aired this segment Friday about Route 66's eastern starting point, featuring author and tour guide David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior. https://youtu.be/oucCSyrgW8Q Information about Clark's walking and driving tours are found here. You can shop for his books here. My favorite of the lot is "Exploring Route 66 in … Continue reading Route 66’s starting point
Route 66 photo book will debut at POPS next month
"Route 66 Sightings," a new photo book by Jim Ross, Shellee Graham, and Jerry McClanahan, will make its debut from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at POPS in Arcadia, Okla. Ross said in an email: The book is now in production, and we received our two advance copies yesterday. The quality and the overall … Continue reading Route 66 photo book will debut at POPS next month