Travels with Charley in Search of America

By: John Steinbeck

Narrated by: Gary Sinise

A stunning evocation of America on the eve of a tumultuous decade—and a moving elegy for more innocent times.

In September 1960, John Steinbeck and his poodle, Charley, embarked on a journey across America, from small towns to growing cities to glorious wilderness oases. Travels with Charley is animated by Steinbeck’s attention to the specific details of the natural world and his sense of how the lives of people are intimately connected to the rhythms of nature—to weather, geography, the cycles of the seasons. His keen ear for the transactions among people is evident, too, as he records the interests and obsessions that preoccupy the Americans he encounters along the way.

©1962 John Steinbeck (P)2011 Penguin

Critic reviews

"Pure delight, a pungent potpourri of places and people interspersed with bittersweet essays on everything from the emotional difficulties of growing old to the reasons why giant sequoias arouse such awe." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Profound, sympathetic, often angry...an honest moving book by one of our great writers." (The San Francisco Examiner)

"This is superior Steinbeck - a muscular, evocative report of a journey of rediscovery." (John Barkham, Saturday Review Syndicate)

A really good choice for an in-between book!

If you're looking for some lighter fare while you rest from your latest thriller, this book should fit the bill. Steinbeck hits the road with his faithful companion Charley, looking to reconnect with America and the people within it, and as you'd expect from this renowned author, the story is painted with a very descriptive brush, letting your imagination place you right there in the front seat with the two of them.

Wonderful Window into the United States of 1959.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, very well written. Mr. Steinbeck is someone I can identify with. Fiercely independent with a strong interest in the outdoors.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Travels with Charley in Search of America?

Swimming into the bay to save his boat during a storm. His emotional ties with his dog. The harsh reality of racism in the southern states in 1959.

Have you listened to any of Gary Sinise’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no. This is well read.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed a few times in the beginning. The book ends on a serious note.

Any additional comments?

This is a well written book that is worth the credit and the time. I believe that you will definitely learn from the experience. Enjoy.

Steinbeck travels

If you could sum up Travels with Charley in Search of America in three words, what would they be?

Epic in a small kind way

Who was your favorite character and why?

Steinbeck. Bears his soul in loving America and particularly the common person

What does Gary Sinise bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is just a superb reader. Really brings out all the characters!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. When Mr Steinbeck was talking about killing the coyotes.

Any additional comments?

His comments on the loss of regional languages resulting from TV was right on and quite sad actually!

Wow!

Nothing I can add to what's already been said. I enjoyed traveling with Steinbeck and Charley around the country. Much of the book is clearly rooted in its time, but I didn't find that at all distracting -- probably because I'm old enough to have lived through much of that time. Younger listeners might feel otherwise. His description of the demonstrations in New Orleans against school integration is powerful: I could feel his rage. I think, more than anything else, what this book did was make me want to learn more about Steinbeck's life. Happily, there's a new biography coming out this fall.

Very special praise for Gary Sinise's absolutely brilliant narration!

Excellent!

Gary Sinise is just perfect (SO TALENTED!) and the story is marvelous! Thought provoking all the way. Well done!

Superb Narration

Gary Sinise does an absolutely amazing job bringing to life the wise and timeless words of one of the most influential American writers ever to put pen to paper. I only wish it were longer, as I could listen to Mr. Sinise expertly deliver Mr. Steinbeck's particular flavor of insight and sarcasm for a very long time.

Social Study

Not a whole lot has changed since the 1960's timeframe that the book was written! I enjoyed this during my travels.

solid treatment of a classic

Sinise's voice was a little jarring at first, but I grew some appreciation for him, as ultimately he seemed to add some authenticity to the work. Steinbeck ruminates in abstractions quite a bit, which I didn't notice in my years-ago reading of this, so the book occasionally drags just a little. But Steinbeck's eye for character comes through and there's some fine description throughout, so this is a great look at U.S. culture at the time, among other things.

A Beautifully Written Journal

Having carried a pen and journal on almost every trip I’ve taken, and come home with a few banal words on each of day one and two—I found the depth of observations amazing. How do gifted writers do it? That’s why it’s a gift, I guess.

What a wonderful find!

This book was amazing to enjoy. I laughed, cried, gasped, was inspired and related to the author. I found that it was more a book about the author finding himself in relation to America in his day as well as the differences around our nation - the good and the bad. I love that Mr. Steinbeck was so transparent and didn't shy away from voicing what needed to be said.

Gary Sinise narrating was perfect. I really feel like that is the true voice of our author.

This book also inspired me to not let go of my dream of traveling along the U.S. I'm sure my experience today will in many ways be very different but, I hope to also find some of the kind and caring people our author did.