On Labor Day, 1960, before cell phones and GPS devices, the author set out with his poodle, Charley, to see and take the pulse of America. He took Charley for company and because a dog is a good ambassador when meeting strangers. In a custom-made camper truck they traveled from New York to Montana to the West Coast and California, returning through Texas and the Deep South before completing the journey in New York City. Discussion of the scenery and encounters he and Charley had along the way may be slightly dated, but they provide a snapshot of how some people viewed the world during this onset of dramatic societal changes. Steinbeck revealed a strong aversion to the juggernaut of progress; relished time spent with families of different cultures, and condemned with no apology the racial discrimination he witnessed firsthand in the South. Some critics are harsh in judging what they called “the author’s bias,” but this is a record of one man’s effort to learn about his country, including good and bad, funny and tragic. This would be a great audio to listen to on a road trip, and will appeal to animal lovers and anyone interested in a good and true travel story.