The Lincoln Highway: Coast to Coast from Times Square to the Golden Gate Paperback – December 5, 2011

I enjoy information and text about traveling the U.S.- excellent read and photos…

Route 66 is more firmly embedded in American pop history and culture, but the Lincoln Highway is older and it arguably has a stronger claim to being the most important American long-distance highway. Dedicated in October 1913, the original route went from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco. I have a personal fondness for the Lincoln Highway by virtue of growing up near it in Pennsylvania and driving it frequently as a youngster, between Philadelphia and Lancaster; moreover, my oldest son now lives within a mile of the Lincoln Highway in Laramie, Wyoming (where I drove on it last weekend).So THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY is a natural for me. The congenial text is by Michael Wallis and the scores of color photographs were taken by Michael S. Williamson. The book is organized as a road trip from east to west, from New York City to San Francisco. There are thirteen chapters, one for each of the thirteen states through which the Lincoln Highway passes. The text is about equally divided between history and a current (as of 2007) travelogue.The Lincoln Highway has been superseded by the interstates, principally by I-80. Driving the interstates, one gets there faster but one sees much less of America. THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY highlights many interesting places and people, among them:* Lincoln Garage (its motto is "Don't cuss, call us") and owner Gene Bellardo, in Langhorne, Pa.* The Haines Shoe House, in Hallam, Pa.* Gene Amos, "the Chester Pie Man", in Chester, W.V.* Balyeat's, a third-generation restaurant and coffee shop in Van Wert, Ohio* Steve Smith and the Smith Brothers General Store in Clinton, Iowa* Preston filling station, Belle Plaine, Iowa* The desolate remains of Smitty's Truck Stop, in Pine Bluff, Wyo. (killed off by I-80)* Orr's Ranch, Skull Valley, Utah* Truckee Hotel, opened in 1873 in the Donner Pass, Cal., 26 years after the ill-fated Donner-Reed Party passed through (with some dying there).The highest and best use of the book probably would be as a companion for one's own trip along the Lincoln Highway or a portion of it. One would also need a current detailed map (a weakness of the book is the absence of any maps other than the stylized one on the cover). But as a history and a travel guide, this book would be ideal. I hope to take it with me on such a trip someday.

Book was in great condition, just as advertised!

lots of photos and info on points of interest. it makes us want to drive it

I bought the book to do research for an upcoming Lincoln Highway road trip.1) the author tells stories and shares information that bring some perspective to the creation and meaning of our first transcontinental road.2) it leaves a lot to be desired as a means of actually finding the iconic places that are mentioned.3) the book is now "ancient" in terms of what still exists and what can actually be found. Old highways change rapidly, and it is hard to keep current.4) there are no detailed maps or even consistent verbal descriptions of the route that the old road took, so that you are totally up to your own to figure it out.5) We learned (the hard way) that any time Wallis included a vintage photo or post card - it meant that the "thing" that you want to see is no longer around.6) Wallis mentions different alignments or paths that the highway took a different times, but there is zero information that would help you trace them.We only traveled from Illinois to Times Square, but I suspect that the trip west would be even more difficult, as the road has all be disappeared in some parts.If you are making a trip, you should probably get a different book. The Brian Butko book appears to be both more current and to have more detailed alignment information and specific locations for iconic sights.

Just what I was looking for!Curious about the construction, location, and destinations along the Lincoln Highway. This book answered my questions.

we're enjoying this book very much, so far, and hope to make several trips along the Lincoln Highway in years to come...hopefully in one of our antique automobiles. Book packed quickly and carelessly, though, because one of the front cover corners got flipped up and creased. We hope this does not cause the cover to disintegrate too quickly.

My husband will love it! Thank You!

Beautifully informative book. Can't wait to drive the road this year.

Great trip down the Lincoln Highway, with many pictures of past and present buildings. If you want to take a drive down this road, this is an excellent guide!! You can just read the book and take a holiday down memory lane, which is rewarding.

Would have given it a 5 but never gave anything a 5.

Sehr schönes Buch mit vielen interessanten Details und toller Aufmachung. Die alten Bilder sind sehenswert. Der Einband und das Format gefallen mir sehr gut.

Das Buch gibt einen tollen Überblick über Nordamerika, wie es zum Teil auch geschichtlich entstanden ist. Schade dass die Wirklichkeit so viel kaputt macht.