Trust an academic to turn an interesting topic into something that sometimes sounds like an eighth-grade essay. "In the paragraph I am about to write, I will prove that the evidence I have collected supports my main thesis, described in the heretofore referenced Chapter 1." OK, it's not quite that bad, but take my advice and skip Chapter 1, and the beginning of Chapter 8. The conclusion is perceptive and concise, and that's the kind of writing that a topic like this deserves.

The index is fantastic, as are the many, many photographs. With the index plotting some interesting stopping points, this book would make a neat companion to a cross-country drive. ( )