Eric J. (ejolly) reviewed on 10/19/2023 + 41 more book reviews

As I often do, I read this book because it was a school assignment for my son. I like to have an idea what the kids are reading in school. I might not have chosen this book otherwise (although I remember being a big fan of The Grapes of Wrath).

Overall, Steinbeck has put together a travel log/journal. He visited some neat places, while dealing with a pet that needed medical care and blocked him from getting in to Canada.

I was looking for something deeper from Steinbeck with "In Search of America" in the title. I don't feel like he ever really said what he found in America besides a bunch of geographically and culturally diverse regions (which I suppose is, indeed, America). Overall, this book falls flat to me in defining our current national identity.

I wouldn't recommend this book - and, struggle with why it should be required reading for students.

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