America’s greatest travel fiction writer is James Michener- NO Question! He had a knack of writing a novel that taught you the history and culture of a people better than any non-fiction work. Michener was and is held in high regard in the Callahan family. It fact it was Michener that got my family started in adventure travel. In 1959 James Michener’s epic work Hawaii was released in hard cover. My mother got a copy of the paperback version in 1964. My Mom and Dad loved the book. They decided that they were going to Hawaii and were going to take the kids, too! They began saving. 42 years ago, In April 1967 we left our Connecticut home for the trip of a life time. I can recall every detail of Hawaii in 1967. After that we traveled every year. We still do! My parents are all set to go to Panama next year (they are 82 years of age). My sister and brother in law took their family on a two week cultural tour of Italy last year. And me…well…I work for Austin Lehman Adventures. Thank you James Michener!
My Review:
Hawaii takes you from the original migration of the Polynesian people to the islands, then to the ‘invasion” of New England missionaries in the 1800’s and finally to World War II and modern Hawaii. It explains to importance of Japanese, Pilipino, and Chinese immigration to our 50th state. Michener is able to tell you this story thru the use of strong characters and multiple twisting plotlines. You will enjoy this book. After you have read it and thought about it, you will really understand that Hawaii’s and America’s greatness is hinged on many different cultures blending together and pooling their strengths. You’ll love it…I promise!
I give this book a 4.5 out of 5!
Details:
Title: Hawaii.
Author: James A. Michener.
Publisher: Random House Trade.
Year: Original-1959, Trade Version- 2002
Version: Trade Paperback.
Pages: 960.
John Steinbeck really needs no introduction. He is arguably America’s greatest author. I cut my teeth of “The Grapes of Wrath”. Steinbeck was born in California and died in New York. During his relatively short life, 66 years, he saw and experienced the effect of World Wars I and II, the Great Depression, The Civil Rights Movement, and Vietnam on America. One of his last books was Travels with Charley in Search of America. Travels with Charley is a travelogue and a time capsule of America in 1960.
My Review:
In 1960, John Steinbeck was living in Long Island. He was at the peak of his popularity. But he had an “itch” to see the country. He could sense that America was changing-again. He converted a truck into a camper, loaded his Poodle –Charley into the passenger seat and spent the fall of that election year roaming the country. 1960 was a year of transition- The Kennedy/Nixon presidential election was nearing its climax…The Civil rights movement was finally affecting every region of the country….The Interstate Highway System was beginning to take shape eventually destroying most of our nation’s regional charm..And the space age had arrived! Pick up a copy of Travel’s with Charley…go back in time to 1960 and enjoy an excellent read!
I give this book a 4 out of 5!
Details:
Title: Living in a Foreign Language.
Title: Travels with Charley.
Author: John Steinbeck.
Publisher: Penquin.
Year: 2002 (Originally- 1961)
Pages: 224.
Format: Trade Paperback.
Get a first hand look at the sights and sounds of one of Austin-Lehman Adventure’s South African Safaris. You’ll experience culture, scenery and wildlife on these one of a kind adventure vacations.
Location: Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, British Columbia We hiked up three lakes to Middle and Upper Joffre Lake. It was a rough, rocky and steep (3 mile) mountain route. The elevation gain to Upper Joffre Lake from trailhead is approximately 400 meters. We hiked through old growth forests of hemlock and spruce on the lower elevations. As we climbed up and fianally arrived at Upper Joffre Lake we were at nearly 9000 feet. There are incredible views of rugged peaks, icefields and cold, rushing streams beneath the Matier Glacier. It was a long challenging hike. We then all took a very quick dip in the lake itself, at a temperature of just above freezing it was unbeleiveably cold but it was an amazing refresher. Then the icing on the cake, our guides Buzz and Jazz disappeared for a few minutes and returned with a silver tray full of fresh blueberries, brownies and othe treats. An amazing day.
Two weeks ago I was in one of my favorite haunts, a local “big box” book store. Swinging thru the Travel Essay section I was stopped by the cover of a book that looked fun and happy. It’s called “Living in a Foreign Language”, the subtitle: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy. The author is Michael Tucker. Does his name ring a bell? It should. Mr. Tucker is an accomplished actor. He played tax attorney- Stuart Markowitz in the TV smash- L.A. Law. That meaty role came after years of study and molding his craft on stage and some memorable character roles in movies including Bagel in the 1982 cult favorite “Tin Men”. Michael is married to actress Jill Eikenberry. They played opposite each other in “L.A. Law”. She plays an important role in the book. Both Tucker and Eikenberry are fabulous together on the screen, and in the book!
My Review:
“Living in a Foreign Language” is the true story of Tucker and Eikenberry finding and buying a home in the Umbria region of Italy. The book is bright, crisp and funny! We laugh, and learn about Italy, food (lots of it), and wine (lots of it). We meet some interesting people, but most importantly we see “up close” the wonderful 35 years of marriage between Tucker and Eikenberry as they enjoy their adventure. Mr. Tucker is a natural writer. You will breeze thru this book and will be sad when it is over!
I give this book a 5 out of 5!
Details:
Title: Living in a Foreign Language.
Author: Michael Tucker.
Publisher: Grove Press.
Year: 2007
Pages: 253.
Format: Trade Paperback.
