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Books on Highway History

Started by edwaleni, June 12, 2021, 02:01:43 PM

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edwaleni

Since history comes up a lot on AARoads posts, I would like to suggest a section on books.

Posts can include favorite reads on books, including tabletop picture books on highways.

If there is a more appropriate forum for this, just let me know. I searched and saw one on videos and other media, but I don't see that as the same.


Alps

Several years ago USDOT released a whole bunch of America's Highways 1776-1976 bicentennial books. I had it shipped to me at college and it's still on my shelf. A must-own.

Scott5114

Don't know that there would be enough content to justify an entire board.
uncontrollable freak sardine salad chef

Max Rockatansky

Find a copy the September 1950 California Highways & Public Works.  It's not a book per se, but it might as well be given it is the Centennial Edition.  The amount of road history is pertaining to stuff like the Sierra Nevada Mountains and early freeways is well worth a read.

Roadgeekteen

I think that just a thread on books would do.
God-emperor of Alanland, king of all the goats and goat-like creatures

Current Interstate map I am making:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1PEDVyNb1skhnkPkgXi8JMaaudM2zI-Y&ll=29.05778059819179%2C-82.48856825&z=5

edwaleni

Quote from: Scott5114 on June 12, 2021, 04:39:57 PM
Don't know that there would be enough content to justify an entire board.

I wasn't thinking an entire board, just a Forum subject.

People can create discussion threads on either the content covered in the book, or people can create threads on the books they have found recently.



Roadgeekteen

Quote from: edwaleni on June 12, 2021, 07:54:58 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on June 12, 2021, 04:39:57 PM
Don't know that there would be enough content to justify an entire board.

I wasn't thinking an entire board, just a Forum subject.

People can create discussion threads on either the content covered in the book, or people can create threads on the books they have found recently.
Just create a thread on books. Or just start the thread in general highway talk.
God-emperor of Alanland, king of all the goats and goat-like creatures

Current Interstate map I am making:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1PEDVyNb1skhnkPkgXi8JMaaudM2zI-Y&ll=29.05778059819179%2C-82.48856825&z=5

hbelkins

I have never read William L.H. Moon's "Blue Highways." What am I missing?


Government would be tolerable if not for politicians and bureaucrats.

Rothman

Quote from: hbelkins on June 12, 2021, 10:35:49 PM
I have never read William L.H. Moon's "Blue Highways." What am I missing?
Not much in terms of roadgeek info.  Just a key book in American travel literature.  Gets sort of repetitive in the last half.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

oscar

#9
Quote from: hbelkins on June 12, 2021, 10:35:49 PM
I have never read William L.H. Moon's "Blue Highways." What am I missing?

It's the story of an extended road trip, with some interesting tidbits and funny-named towns along the way. Most interesting one (and a useful caution I kept in mind on my latest trip) is about his getting stuck in deep snow in the mountains east of Cedar City UT. The road was marked as "may be closed in winter", but the author didn't know that winter can last until May there. I recall kurumi had a similar experience, except in his case the road closure began in the nearest town (I think Panguitch) so at least he didn't get stuck in the mountains. But my own trip across those mountains last month went off without a hitch.
my Hot Springs and Highways pages, with links to my roads sites:
http://www.alaskaroads.com/home.html

kurumi

Quote from: oscar on June 13, 2021, 08:08:03 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 12, 2021, 10:35:49 PM
I have never read William L.H. Moon's "Blue Highways." What am I missing?

It's the story of an extended road trip, with some interesting tidbits and funny-named towns along the way. Most interesting one (and a useful caution I kept in mind on my latest trip) is about his getting stuck in deep snow in the mountains east of Cedar City UT. The road was marked as "may be closed in winter", but the author didn't know that winter can last until May there. I recall kurumi had a similar experience, except in his case the road closure began in the nearest town (I think Panguitch) so at least he didn't get stuck in the mountains. But my own trip across those mountains last month went off without a hitch.

You recall correctly. Corner of UT 143 (from Panguitch, which BTW is not US 89 :-)) and UT 148, our way forward, which had not been cleared and the snow was about 6 feet high.
My first SF/horror short story collection is available: "Young Man, Open Your Winter Eye"

oscar

Quote from: kurumi on June 13, 2021, 08:33:41 PM
You recall correctly. Corner of UT 143 (from Panguitch, which BTW is not US 89 :-)) and UT 148, our way forward, which had not been cleared and the snow was about 6 feet high.

I passed by there, and part of UT 148 was closed by snow. Fortunately, I took UT 143 from Parowan to US 89 in Panguitch, and wasn't counting on UT 148 being open.

BTW, the "This is Not US 89" sign in Panguitch seems to be gone.
my Hot Springs and Highways pages, with links to my roads sites:
http://www.alaskaroads.com/home.html

US 89

Quote from: oscar on June 13, 2021, 08:08:03 PM
Most interesting one (and a useful caution I kept in mind on my latest trip) is about his getting stuck in deep snow in the mountains east of Cedar City UT. The road was marked as "may be closed in winter", but the author didn't know that winter can last until May there. I recall kurumi had a similar experience, except in his case the road closure began in the nearest town (I think Panguitch) so at least he didn't get stuck in the mountains. But my own trip across those mountains last month went off without a hitch.

That's funny. General rule of thumb out here is most winter road closures are generally open by Memorial Day (or earlier if snow is well below average like it was this year). Clearly Moon wasn't too familiar with the inland west!

Hot Rod Hootenanny

Maybe we do need something more substantial concerning 'books on roads.'
By just searching "books" on this forum, I found 30 entries.

Blue Books (old highway strip maps by words) https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=18505.msg2163693#msg2163693

2016 Books request: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=18295.msg2156824#msg2156824

AAA Maps and Books request: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=20140.msg2225448#msg2225448

2013 Audiobook requests: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=10304.msg2023600#msg2023600

A book review: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23365.msg2345517#msg2345517

A roadbook critique: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17645.msg2133678#msg2133678

2012 request for books: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=6428.msg142668#msg142668

How to google keyword search for road books: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=8691.msg202059#msg202059

Jon Daly road book reviews: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23554.0

(Starting in 2009) Favorite Books (thread): https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=841.msg25750#msg25750

Typography book: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=8419.msg195179#msg195179

2014 request for road books: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=12577.msg304954#msg304954

(From 2010) Requests for children books on roads: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=12577.msg304954#msg304954

And...roadgeeks favorite URL for books about roads: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/wwtl
Please, don't sue Alex & Andy over what I wrote above

kurumi

Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on June 16, 2021, 02:17:27 AM
... And...roadgeeks favorite URL for books about roads: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/wwtl

That URL might be the new roadgeek rickroll
My first SF/horror short story collection is available: "Young Man, Open Your Winter Eye"

Roadgeekteen

We all are supposed to hate Carl Rogers but are his books actually bad?
God-emperor of Alanland, king of all the goats and goat-like creatures

Current Interstate map I am making:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1PEDVyNb1skhnkPkgXi8JMaaudM2zI-Y&ll=29.05778059819179%2C-82.48856825&z=5

Hot Rod Hootenanny

Quote from: Roadgeekteen on June 16, 2021, 01:45:29 PM
We all are supposed to hate Carl Rogers but are his books actually bad?
I'm pretty sure nobody on here has purchase/seen any of Carl's books.
Please, don't sue Alex & Andy over what I wrote above

hbelkins

Quote from: Roadgeekteen on June 16, 2021, 01:45:29 PM
We all are supposed to hate Carl Rogers but are his books actually bad?

Best I can tell, they're just the pictures he put up on his site over the years. I've probably seen every Kentucky scene he has in the book, and likely have my own pictures of it. I know I have a video where the Little Green Shrub used to be.


Government would be tolerable if not for politicians and bureaucrats.

D-Dey65

How about we discuss books on roads that haven't been written yet? I'd like somebody to write a book on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. I can't think of any others that need to be written, though. But when I do, I'll add it to the list.

I'm still a fan of "The War Against the Automobile," by B. Bruce Briggs.


Max Rockatansky

#19
Quote from: kurumi on June 16, 2021, 01:10:59 PM
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on June 16, 2021, 02:17:27 AM
... And...roadgeeks favorite URL for books about roads: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/wwtl

That URL might be the new roadgeek rickroll

Over $23 dollars for a book of highway shields I can go find and photograph myself?...lame.

Edit:  I'm just really finding out about this guy, here is the Little Green Shrub song referenced above:




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