Slow Road to Brownsville: A Journey Through the Heart of the Old West

Description

"Immensely illuminating and enjoyable account of a road trip along Highway 83 ... Books like [Reynold's] prove that good travel writing remains not only very much alive, but essential."-The Bookseller In Slow Road to Brownsville, David Reynolds embarks on a road trip along Highway 83, a little-known two-lane highway built in 1926 that runs from Swan River, Manitoba, to the Mexican border at Brownsville, Texas, on the Gulf of Mexico. Growing up in a small town in England, Reynolds was enthralled by both the myth of the Wild West and the myth of the open road. This road trip is his exploration of the reality behind these myths as he makes his way from small town to small town, gas station to gas station, and motel to motel, hanging out in bars, drinking with the locals, and observing their sometimes-peculiar customs. Reynolds also wanted to see the country where the Sioux, the Cheyenne, the Comanches, the Apaches, and other native groups lived and died and to look at how their descendants live now. He describes the forced location of the Cheyenne people, discovers the true story of the Alamo, and finds similarities between Sitting Bull's tours and those of the Black

David Reynolds was one of the founders of Bloomsbury Publishing and is now a director of Old Street Publishing. Based in London, he is the author of Swan River: A Memoir of a Family Mystery, which was shortlisted for the PEN/Acklerley Prize for Autobiography and Memoir.

A Bookseller UK Editor's Choice "Reynolds ... rides off, a lone English ranger, into a historical North American hinterland that exists as much in mythical reference as in modern reality. ... Ride shotgun with Reynolds as he pit-stops at diners and gas stations, and detours by way of legendary landmarks, where he reflectively enjoys cracker-barrel wisdom, saloon-bar wit, and good-ol' country wackiness."--Iain Finlayson, The Times " [Reynolds] is the perfect man for the route ... There might be kicks on Route 66, but there is gentle enlightenment along 83."-- Anthony Sattin, Observer "Vividly conjures a middle America of meat-packing plants, railroad tracks and grassy ranchlands. A likeable and learned guide, Reynolds writes with characteristic grace , ... illuminating "--Ian Thomson, Financial Times "Immensely illuminating and enjoyable, ... Books like [Reynolds's] prove that good travel writing remains not only very much alive, but essential."--Caroline Sanderson, Bookseller "A fascinating tale ... told with great aplomb. ... I've been enjoying his book no end. ,"--Robert Elms "A great travelogue, and history lesson as an open-eyed and adventurous Englishman makes his way down Highway 83."--Willy Vlautin, author of The Free