by William Least Heat Moon

isbn: 0395585686
subject: Nonfiction, Biography, Travel
finished: Early Fall 1997

After losing his wife and his job, Least Heat Moon goes on an extended road trip, with the goals of finding the blue highways where modern life has not completely obliterated the old ways (such as they are), and of losing himself in his travels. His knowledge of history and trivia, and his knack for extracting stories from people he meets are impressive. Unlike the narrators of many travelogues (Mayle in A Year in Provence, for example), Least Heat Moon really walks the walk; he seems to belong in the out of the way areas that have changed little during the 20th century. His respect for the simple life and his distaste for the McDonald's-to-McDonald's interstate traveling style are genuine, and his dry style of reporting makes this a fascinating and readable book.