Roadside America: The Automobile and the American Dream

Hardcover book. Harry N. Abrams; First Edition . 2000. 272 pages.

Very Good Condition. Dust jacket in Fair Condition. A photographic survey of American cars takes a nostalgic look at the nation's history and folklore as seen from the perspective of its automobiles, from neon-lit diners and drive-in movie theaters to last-stop gas stations and Route 66 attractions.
One of pop culture's universal truths is that Americans have carried on an unabashed romance with the automobile since its invention around the turn of the twentieth century. This rich, oversize album by a renowned car photographer, who refers to herself as a "classic car junkie," will touch the heartstrings of those who feel the romance of the road. In more than 200 color photographs, Lewis "poses" splendid examples of cars from throughout the history of the American automobile industry at planned locations where cars traditionally "hang out," such as at drive-in restaurants, drive-in movie theaters, motels, and diners, or in desert settings, or with golden fields in the background. These beautiful shots reflect Lewis' conviction that "cars are most themselves in their natural habitat. They belong on the road. And they belong to the road." We see cars in elegant profile or provocative full face; we see luxury cars (Imperial), sports cars (Corvette), and utility cars (Grand Cherokee). The bright, spirited, and informative text provides excellent mortar holding the photographs together. Brad Hooper