Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Hardcover
$38.29

Paperback
$22.62

$22.62 with 22 percent savings

List Price: $28.99

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

FREE delivery Tuesday, May 21 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or fastest delivery Friday, May 17. Order within 10 hrs 22 mins

Select delivery location

In Stock

$$22.62 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Ships from

Amazon.com

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

30-day easy returns

Returns

30-day easy returns

This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

Read full return policy

Payment

Secure transaction

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Details

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

$9.58

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

Pages and cover are intact. Used book in good and clean conditions. Limited notes marks and highlighting may be present. May show signs of normal shelf wear and bends on edges. Item may be missing CDs or access codes. Ships directly from Amazon. Pages and cover are intact. Used book in good and clean conditions. Limited notes marks and highlighting may be present. May show signs of normal shelf wear and bends on edges. Item may be missing CDs or access codes. Ships directly from Amazon. See less

FREE delivery Tuesday, May 21 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or fastest delivery Friday, May 17. Order within 4 hrs 22 mins

Select delivery location

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

$$22.62 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Sold by ZBK Books and Fulfilled by Amazon.

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (75) from $6.21 & FREE Shipping

Follow the author

Michael Wallis

+ Follow

More books from this author

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Route 66: The Mother Road 75th Anniversary Edition Paperback – June 23, 2001

by Michael Wallis (Author)

4.7 384 ratings

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$22.62","priceAmount":22.62,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"22","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"62","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"WSmWbo3B3V8Y3jHoWwMUvKyGHP2wRa9tYuQdTRh8UsSwZCKhHYOnDJtbHT%2Fh7nCMFgLaqxNL%2Bk2Hs8HdUTGAkDJ4itdmpPWw8kxBkydyQPyyevTxhLJwibwVpr4nzaE3u4h5m3BxTvU%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$9.58","priceAmount":9.58,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"9","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"58","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"WSmWbo3B3V8Y3jHoWwMUvKyGHP2wRa9tf9SMbBbms17lF0noIjeAAOtgrXkf6M7DVRe1xjhCGvLoBQSfqIacePkgvDPNTx0j9jo67p%2FIZU9TG25mvipklzggLYGcunfh4qyVCbXnBzW4x2tp1ZniKyJ4%2FBrvRq0OxPneZ3oS5klLErCE9bgoSZ24tEcrfkfQ","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

America's Main Street is celebration, Michael Wallis hit the road again, revisiting people and
places that made the Mother Road on American icon, and uncovering new treasures. A love
letter and a tribute, Route 66: The Mother Road takes us on an unforgettable journey through
the secret corners and hidden towns of America's most famous and beloved highway.

Frequently bought together

Route 66: The Mother Road 75th Anniversary Edition

$22.62

Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 21

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

$22.95

Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 21

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

The Best Hits on Route 66: 100 Essential Stops on the Mother Road

$21.79

Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 21

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Try again!

Details

Added to Cart

Choose items to buy together.

Amy Bizzarri
710
Paperback
29 offers from $8.93
Mark Watson
264
Paperback
in General Illinois Travel Guides
9 offers from $11.81
Joe Sonderman
198
Hardcover
16 offers from $12.69
Drew Knowles
487
Paperback
51 offers from $17.09
Bruce Wexler
40
Paperback
52 offers from $15.73
Roadtrippers
369
Paperback
32 offers from $7.64

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Like others before him, from John Steinbeck to Charles Kuralt, Michael Wallis went on the road in search of America. The result is...a colorful paean to a most romantic byway.” ―The New York Times

“Since the do-gooders abolished public hangings, the only show in town worth watching is the traffic on Highway 66 heading West, and Route 66: The Mother Road is the best book we have to tell us what we are seeing.” ―Stanley Marsh III, owner of the Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas

“This story of our nation's most famous highway keeps alive an important part of American history. It's a delight!” ―Will Rogers, Jr.

“Route 66 changed the course of my whole life. I will treasure my trip forever, and this book recaptures very vividly every memory.” ―Bobby Troup, songwriter of "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66"

“Any of you who love nostalgia will love Route 66: The Mother Road as much as I do.” ―Tony Hillerman

“A love letter to the road...{Wallis} wraps the history of the route around pictures of it and lets the people who have traveled and lived along the Mother Road tell their stories.” ―Kelli Pryor, Entertainment Weekly

About the Author

Michael Wallis is an award-winning historian of the Old West and author of Route 66: The Mother Road and several other books, and the co-author of Mankiller: A Chief and Her People. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Sante Fe, New Mexico.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin; Revised edition (June 23, 2001)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312281617
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312281618
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.9 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.4 x 0.72 x 8.3 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #132,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #32 in General Western US Travel Guides
- #356 in Popular Culture in Social Sciences
- #1,211 in U.S. State & Local History

Customer Reviews:
4.7 384 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Michael Wallis

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

It has been said, "reading a Michael Wallis book is like dancing to a romantic ballad. He offers his hand and gently guides you across the floor, swaying to the song of the American West."

A best-selling author and award-winning reporter, Michael is a historian and biographer of the American West who also has gained international notoriety as a speaker and voice talent. In 2006 Michael’s distinctive voice was heard in Cars, an animated feature film from Pixar Studios, also featuring Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Owen Wilson, Michael Keaton, and George Carlin. Michael is also featured in Cars 2, a sequel to the original motion picture released in 2011.

A storyteller who likes nothing better than transporting audiences across time and space, Michael has published seventeen books, including Route 66: The Mother Road, the book credited with sparking the resurgence of interest in the highway. In 2011, Michael’s latest works were published — David Crockett: The Lion of the West, and The Wild West 365.

Other Wallis books include The Real Wild West: The 101 Ranch and the Creation of the American West; Mankiller: A Chief and Her People; Way Down Yonder In The Indian Nation; and Pretty Boy: The Life and Times of Charles Arthur Floyd. His work has been published in hundreds of national and international magazines and newspapers, including Time, Life, People, Smithsonian, The New Yorker, and The New York Times.

Michael has been nominated three times for the Pulitzer Prize and was also a nominee for the National Book Award. He has won many other prestigious honors, such as the Will Rogers Spirit Award, the Western Heritage Award from the National Cowboy Hall & Western Heritage Museum, the Oklahoma Book Award from the Oklahoma Center for the Book, and the Best Western Non-fiction Award from the Western Writers of America.

For further information about Michael Wallis, visit http://www.michaelwallis.com.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

384 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Joey Madia

One of the best guides to Route 66

Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2023

Verified Purchase

I have read a lot of books about the Mother Road and have fond memories of driving it. Michael Wallis's book is credited with reviving interest in Route 66 and I can see why. This 75th anniversary edition has brand new sections, along with the great photography, interviews, and detailed descriptions of what the traveler will encounter on their journey.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Mark Wilson

a great historical ref with wonderful photos...

Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2023

Verified Purchase

and thought it'd be good to read B4 we plan the trip !....
Very well done with original photos and people involved with businesses and travel, restaurants of the times and many were still in business....
The story should be good reading for most anyone...

Helpful

Ruth Ann Wood-Humiston

Route 66 Book

Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024

Verified Purchase

We live just south of part of old Route 66. My family is a fan of its historical info. Bought book to put out on coffee table for people to look thru at their leisure for a conversation starter.

Helpful

Charles - Cordova (Memphis), TN

At 79 a Step Back in Time for Me

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2024

Verified Purchase

Lots of history with accompanying photos. A trip down memory lane for me.

Helpful

GeoM

Excellent front to back historical coverage of Rt. 66.

Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2007

Verified Purchase

This is a great book for just kicking back and taking a virtual ride on Rt. 66. I, myself, have never been down the road as I am an East Coaster and never yet made the western trek to California. However, I always dreamed of doing such in a RV and now I know for sure what road to take.

While I have heard of Rt. 66 before, I (never prior to reading this book) knew much about the road. What got me started on Rt. 66. was the fairly recent Disney movie "Cars" (of which I highly recommend seeing). The movie touched upon what Rt. 66 means to America and it's past and also the effects of the Interstate system and I-40 on Rt. 66.

The author of the book, Michael Wallis, has a cameo in "Cars" as the voice of the police car. So it was quite obvious to me that if Mr. Wallis' knowledge is good enough for Disney...Well, this made my decision very clear on what Rt. 66 book to purchase.

Wallis's knowledge of the road is fantastic and expansive. He takes you from the road's beginnings both literally and historically. You go through each state and further to each town along the route, explaining in detail how the roads beginnings were to how they are today. After reaching California, Wallis then has a dedicated chapter on how a recent movement is presently undergoing to restore Rt. 66. highlighting those business's that remain and new and old attractions to visit.

As other reviews pointed out, this book does create a very vivid image in one's mind that does allow you to virtually go down Rt. 66. It is a great 'primer' for those who want to brush up on thier Rt.66 history and also gives you a good idea of places to visit once you plan a trip on the historic road.

Created in sections by state, you can either choose to go through the book front to back as I have or choose to reach each state in more detail. Everything is here.

The only gripe I would have with the book is that while it is an excellent historical document on Rt. 66, I was hoping that key places would be easier to find and laid out more like a reference book. This way I could easily look up attractions in each state and see how they were and how they are now. I am assuming I would get this wish by buying Russ Olsen's "Route 66: Then and Now" book.

As for traveling, I know I would want a quick reference. If you are traveling Route 66, using this book as a reference will have you fumbling through pages. So this book is best read BEFORE one takes on the trip. For the road trip itself I was recommended "Route 66 Adventure Handbook" by Drew Knowles and also the "EZ66 guide for travlers" by Jerry McClanahan. (I have still yet to read these). From what I gathered by other reviewers these two books supplemented with Wallis's book would give anyone everything they would need to know about Rt. 66.

So bottom line, for overall history and just about everything you need to know about Rt 66. while taking a virtual tour of the road, well, this is it. This is where this book shines. A fantastic book best read from cover to cover.

However for a quick reference to take on an actual Rt. 66 road trip, that is where this book falls short. There are probably better sources for that task.

Overall a great buy for the price and it would make a great addition to anyone's American history library and it would also make a great coffee table book (especially if they made a hardcover edition).

37 people found this helpful

Helpful

Joe Offer

A Comprehensive and Interesting telling of the story of the Mother Road

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2021

Verified Purchase

I've driven the route from Chicago to Santa Monica, and I loved the trip and hope to make it again soon. One trip on the Mother Road, and it becomes part of you. You find yourself driven to learn more and more about this cross-section of the United States, and you end up reading lots of books. This book is the best of them all. Author Michael Wallis is an excellent researcher, and a good author, and his books are a delight to read. - I've also read his book on the Lincoln Highway and another on the Donner Party and their winter crossing of the Sierra.
Read this book, drive the highway, and then read the book again. You won't regret it.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Traveler

Route 66: The Mother Road

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2023

Verified Purchase

Having traveled Route 66 several times this is a great book chock full of memories. Thank you so much !

Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2022

Verified Purchase

I originally bought this book at a Route 66 museum in Oklahoma 2007. I thought it was available digitally so I donated it but turns out it was not available digitally so I had to buy it again - and I didn’t mind, that’s how much I liked this book.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Fabio

Perfect

Reviewed in Italy on January 22, 2023

Verified Purchase

Perfect

vadim

労作！！

Reviewed in Japan on January 22, 2019

Verified Purchase

ピクサーのカーズを見て、この本があの物語の発想の元であると聞き、購入。
幻の道路などと言われているルート６６について、その誕生から繁栄、そして州間ハイウェイが出来てすたれてしまい、
また、ルート６６の人間的な価値に気づいた人々による復興、と歴史をたどりながら、この、シカゴから
サンタモニカまでの道沿いのさまざまな町、名所についても、そもそもの歴史から網羅し、そこにあるレストランやモーテル、
ガソリンスタンド、骨とう品店、お土産物屋さん、博物館など、本当に詳しく紹介されています。
表面的なガイドブックではなく、どういう風な事情で人々が動いて、道路や町や店が出来て行ったか、について
言及されているので、そもそも何もない土地に道路や鉄道が通り、そこに店や宿が出来て、
交易がはじまり、町が出来て行った、アメリカの土地の発展の基本を読み取ることが出来ます。
広大な土地で、人々は本当にたくましいです。
大体アメリカの地名は、もともとの先住民たちのつけた名前か、そこで何かを成し遂げた人の名前が
付けられている、ということもわかりました。
さて、最初に開拓者たちを結ぶ道路としてできたルート６６が車産業の発展によって、
また、アメリカの社会の景気によって旅行者が増え、どんどんにぎやかになり、
第２次世界大戦で、軍によって頻繁に使われたものの、
戦争でヨーロッパに行ってアウトバーンを目にした軍人だったアイゼンハワーが
戦後大統領になって、米国内にアウトバーンみたいな立派な無駄のない道路を作りたい、と思って、
州間ハイウェイが出来て、ルート６６はすたれてしまい、道路沿いの店やモーテルも寂れてしまったのですが、
州間ハイウェイ沿いの店はチェーン店が多く個性が少ないのに比べ、
ルート６６の店は１軒１軒人々の個性と心と労力が詰まったものとして運営されており、
その価値に気づいた人々が、またルート６６を復興させている、というのは、素晴らしいことです。
そして、そのことが国内で提唱されるようになってから、復興のための法案も通ったのです。
やっぱり、いくら合理的なアメリカ人たちといえども、人の個性から発する温かさ、努力の誠実さには、
かけがえのない素晴らしさを感じる、という事ですね。
この本はルート６６の７５周年記念の改訂版ですが、初めて出版されたころに、人々の気持ちを
ルート６６に向けることにも貢献したようです。しかし、巻末の参考文献リストを見ると、
他にも本当にたくさんの本がルート６６やそれに関連するアメリカ文化について書かれ出版されて
居ることがわかります。
この道路の歴史を作っている個人の人々の紹介コラムもあり、写真もいろいろあり、
ルート６６についての、素晴らしい労作と言えると思います。

2 people found this helpful

Translate review to English

Gee Louise

Really detailed

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2015

Verified Purchase

This is a really nice detailed book about the history of Route 66. It's packed with pictures and details about destinations on the route. I'm planning a trip to drive Route 66 and wanted a bit more than just a map, I wanted to know a little more about the history before heading there and this was ideal. It's nice to dip into to read a little more every now then.

One person found this helpful

Ramón

The greatest guide of Route 66

Reviewed in Spain on May 19, 2014

Verified Purchase

All you need to taste the old Mother Road. Some things have changed since the year the book was published, but the important thing is the meaning of what we admire. Great

LucaM

Si viaggiare

Reviewed in Italy on March 25, 2017

Verified Purchase

Bellissimo libro, peccato sia un po' povero di foto
La Bibbia della mother road. Un must have della Route 66

One person found this helpful

Translate review to English

See more reviews

Return this item for free

Return this item for free

Follow the author

Image Unavailable