Rugh's subject, perhaps best immortalized by the Griswold family in
the film National Lampoon--s Vacation, is the family road
trip. . . . A valuable addition to the study of 20th-century
popular culture and history.--Library JournalRugh treats this
period of post-World War II innocence--or Cold War escapism--with a
healthy revisionism minus any smudge of sepia sentimentality. . . .
Smart and sensitive, well researched and no-nonsense, her ride is
well worth taking.--The AtlanticA fascinating exploration of
excursions from 1945 to the 1970s.--Washington PostA captivating
and provocative read. . . . Of particular interest is Rugh's
argument that the family vacation represented a space for character
building and patriotic affirmation--something akin to reading
Frederick Jackson Turner's frontier thesis while cruising Route 66.
One thing is certain: this book makes a convincing case for the
centrality of the road to American culture.--American Historical
ReviewRugh's lively and enlightening book connects tourism to
broader themes, including the history of consumption, consumer
culture, civil rights, and family history. Perhaps its greatest
contribution is its reconstruction of the experiences of African
American tourists, which undercut any perceptions of tourism as a
carefree adventure.--Western Historical QuarterlyRugh does an
excellent job of contextualizing family vacations by explaining the
factors that made them possible in a way that is both intuitive and
intellectually satisfying. . . . Innovative and
insightful.--Journal of American HistoryAccessible to the general
reading public and of value to scholars, Rugh's book can also be
readily incorporated into courses in history or American studies at
both the undergraduate and graduate level.--Technology and
Culture
Superb! Filled with wonderful images, Rugh's study is exceptionally
detailed, extremely well researched and subtly informed by theory
rather than driven by it. A well-written and reader-friendly
history of a familiar but fascinating subject. I can't wait to own
this book!--Karal Ann Marling, author of As Seen on TV:
The Visual Culture of Everyday Life in the 1950s
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