Travel Writing Archives - Robert Redd Historian & Author

Posted on September 12, 2025September 29, 2025 by Robert — Leave a comment

Book Review–Great American Retro Road Trip Rolando Pujol

Thank you for your interest in my book review of The Great American Retro Road Trip: A Celebration of Roadside Americana written by “The Retrologist” Rolando Pujol.

Pujol, Rolando. The Great American Retro Road Trip: A Celebration of Roadside Americana. New York: Hachette Book Group. 2025. 320 pages. Index, color photos. ISBN 9781648293719. $35.00.

In the tradition of John Margolies, those of us with an interest in the American standard, the road trip, are in luck with an amazing new volume from Rolando Pujol.

Rolando Pujol, who is the creator of The Retrologist, a free or subscription based Substack page, and also an Instagram page, with almost 100,000 followers, has provided us with an incredible hardcover book showcasing the best that the American road has to offer.

One thing that Pujol stresses, and those of us interested in the subject have no doubt witnessed with our own eyes, is the fleeting nature these of signs, monuments, restaurants, and attractions. In Pujol’s words, “You’ll find that great Roadside stops are everywhere when you begin to look for them, but we take them for granted at our own risk. As I worked on this book, almost weekly came heartbreaking news of the closure of some place I had visited not long ago, or of the loss of a classic sign.” (Introduction)

Divided geographically, the book allows readers to flip to any page and find something that will be of interest. The book does not need to be ready or viewed in any particular order. Geographic chapters include New England, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, South Central, Midwest, Heartland, Mountain West, Pacific Northwest, California, and the Desert Southwest. A convenient map allows readers to determine which zone their favorite state might fall into, particularly if it might be a boarder state. The index provides an easy reference if you are seeking out something in particular.

Within each chapter Pujol provides several subtopics for consideration. There is accompanying text to help acquaint readers with each image. It’s an easy read and is a welcome addition, particularly for those locations a reader is unfamiliar with. The subsections include Roadside Quirks, Roadside Eats, Mainstays of Main Street, the Inn Crowd, Sweet Stops, and Cheers. Each chapter closes with “Sensational Signs.” These are some of the most truly iconic signs and locations in each geographic area. Go find them on your journeys.

Part of the beauty of a collection such as this is there’s something for everyone. You will meet old roadside friends. You will rekindle relationships with signs you might have forgotten. You’ll make new, lifelong acquaintances, and find new places to visit. Finally, as happens in life, you’ll suffer pains of loss, when you find a sign that is now a memory.

A book like this is truly special for those who crave the nostalgia of days past, enjoy what might be called a “retro” look or vibe, or just enjoy the feel of the open road. The depth of locations provided is staggering and folks from the entire country, well, OK, except Hawaii and Alaska, are going to find things to enjoy. These fragile reminders of our past can make for a day of family fun or just provide enjoyment while sitting with your favorite beverage.

My only small issue would be that the photos can seem a bit small. This is a tradeoff however because there are so many listings. There’s no way to have made them larger within the confines of space and price. For the variety we get, I can easily accept this trade.

Highly recommended!

Take a trip back in time to visit the Lost Attractions of Florida with author Jim Clark. Click the link to read my review of this fun review of days gone by or click the image to order your copy.

Do you remember seeing billboards for South of the Border on your road trip? If so, Your Sheep are All Counted is an absolute must read. Read my review by clicking the link.

Click the image above to support this site through Buy Me A Coffee. Your helps pay for website fees and maintenance, research fees for blog and book writing, photo usage and rights fees, and other associated costs. It might go to buying a bag of coffee, keeping me focused on the research topic at hand.

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Posted on June 15, 2025October 3, 2025 by Robert — Leave a comment

Visit Chetham’s Library in Manchester

For many visitors, a trip to Manchester, UK, is about one thing: football. Soccer as it is more commonly called in the United States. Fans of Manchester United and Manchester City follow their teams with a devotion American fans can’t fully understand. To be a European football fan means something different than being a sports fan in the states. There are many other delightful things to take in during a visit to Manchester. One I can recommend is a visit to Chetham’s Library in Manchester, and while there, don’t miss the small but impactful World Wars commemoration, honoring students who fell during one of the two World Wars.

Reserve Your Tour Date and Time

A visit to Chetham’s Library starts with reserving your tour. No, library tours are not free, but your tour fees go to a good cause. It is recommended you begin on the Visitor Information page. Here you will find the crucial information needed ahead of your planned visit. How far in advance can you reserve your tour? How long are tours? Do visitors have to go through security? Are photos allowed? How accessible is the library? These questions and many more can be answered by a short visit to their website, linked prior in the paragraph.

Once you know you want to visit, and this really is a must see attraction, head over to the tours reservation page and start the process. Tours cost £13.50 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students, and children under age 10. Tour space is limited and reservations must be made in advance. There appear to be several tours on most days so with a bit of planning, you should be able to get in on your preferred day.

Researchers

If you are a researcher and you think Chetham’s might have material of use to you, please consult their online catalog and finding aids. If there are materials in their collection that can assist you, please make an appointment in order to review said materials. You can find information on that process through the link provided earlier in the paragraph.

Researchers and the general public may also view many of the library’s holdings using their Digital Resources collection. Check back regularly as items are always being added.

As you can see in the photo on the left, the library is filled with thousands of rare and antique volumes. During a visit to Chetham’s Library in Manchester, you are able to see these amazing shelves but are not able to access or handle the fragile volumes.

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About Chetham’s Library

Chetham’s Library and the Chetham’s School of Music were originally established through a bequest in the will of Humphry Chetham, a wealthy English textile merchant.

Chetham’s Library is housed in medieval building that dates to 1421. The library was originally founded in 1653 and began accumulating materials in 1655, making it the oldest public library in the English speaking world. In addition to early printed books, the library collection includes ephemera, manuscript diaries, letters and deeds, prints, paintings and glass lantern slides.

The Library is known for being the place where Marx and Engels met to discuss their revolutionary ideas, and visitors will be able to see this area. It’s also where Dr. John Dee supposedly summoned the Devil! Learn more about this story HERE or HERE.

During your tour, your guide will point out unique features of the building, such as several doors which contain smaller, “cat doors” located at floor level. Look closely at the image on the left to see the small cut out area.

Remembering Those Lost in World War I and II

During a guided tour, visitors will pass two separate memorials to students who gave their lives in service of their country during World War I and World War II. The first is the small marker shown in the image above.

The second, and more impressive memorial is a large triptych with a large crucifix center panel including an inscription below. The center panel is flanked by two wooden panels containing the names of young men who perished while in service. The left panel contains the names of those who died in World War I and the right hand honors those who died during World War II. In total, 52 names are included and referenced below. Click to enlarge the images.

To the enduring memory of the sons of this school who gave their lives for King and Country in the Great War 1914-1918 and 1939-1945

World War I names are listed on the left, wooden panel

World War II names on the rights side of the crucifix

1914-1919 1939-1945

H.M. Atkinson D. Bamber

J. Atkinson D. Bauldie

G.A.M. Bennett E.S. Blood

J. Bisson W.P. Booth

T.H. Boardman S.W. Cleghorn

J. Chadwick H. Clough

J. Cheatle S. Fletcher

H. Chippendale L. Hardy

R. Cooper A. Helsby

R. Darlington R.I. Laycock

A. Edwards F. Livesy

G.E. Edwards F.G. Plowman

F. Goldberg A.F. Rooke

R.T. Harrison J.K. Schofield

R. Hicks R. Skelton

H.L. Hilton T.D. Smith

H. Hoff J. Taylor

T. Holt H. Trainor

S. Kershaw A. Wilkinson

J. Lancaster

H. Lord

A. Marsden

G.E. Mart

W.T. McEwen

T. Prestage

A. Sedgwick

R. Shoreman

E. Singleton

G.W. Tyrer

D.A. Whitley

J. Williamson

H.F. Wilson

These are more than names on a plaque or a wall. They were young men, cut down in their earliest years. They were sons, brothers, husbands, and fathers. Their service and bravery should not be forgotten. I have not performed any research on any of these young men. If you are a descendant and have done genealogical work on any of these soldiers, please feel free to get in touch. If you would be interested in submitting a photo or a guest post about your family member, please let me know. We may be able to arrange something. If you have posted about a relative listed above on your own site, please let me know so that I can share a link.

Manchester at War 1939-1945 book purchase link — **Manchester at War 1939-1945** This book chronicles the difficulties, hardships, restrictions, and morale of the city year by year as the war dragged on, and is a timely reminder of how the local community strived to fight the odds that were stacked against them.

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Posted on October 25, 2024September 12, 2025 by Robert — Leave a comment

Lost Attractions of Florida Book Review

Thank you for your interest in my book review of Lost Attractions of Florida written by Dr. James C. Clark.

Clark, James C. Lost Attractions of Florida. Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2023. 186 pages, 155 pages of text. B/W images, index, bibliography. ISBN 9781467145954, $23.99.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Dr. Clark is a friend of mine and Arcadia Publishing has published several of my own books. These relationships do not factor into this review. I purchased this book and it was not provided by the author or publisher. There may be affiliate links included in this post.

From the time a reader picks up this book, they are swept away with waves of nostalgia and memory. From pirate ships to the old west; from southern belles to bathing beauties and hunks on water skis the diversity of lost Florida attractions is shown in full color on the cover. Not enough? Flip to the back cover and find alligators, ostriches, and a wonder house. How can you not be enthused to sit down with a cup of coffee (or tea, or whatever) and read a few pages, only to find yourself half way through.

Author James C. Clark, a senior lecturer in history at the University of Central Florida, and a regular commentator on local, state, and national politics, has penned a brief, yet highly readable and enjoyable look at many attractions Florida residents may have forgotten about, or for newer transplants, have probably never heard of.

Readers are given an introduction to how Florida tourism has evolved. From the days of William Bartram and James Audubon through Henry Flagler’s railroads, to the egalitarianism of the automobile, Florida has been a magnet for tourists, some looking to save their health, some looking to get away from the northern winters, and some, looking to make a quick buck. From real estate hucksters to the tin can tourist there has been a place for everyone.

The real interest of this book however are the attractions. Clark has divided his text into several convenient chapters, including the Panhandle, Cypress Gardens, Circus World, and the Never Were Attractions. These are each short, generally half a dozen pages or so.

Then we get into the real meat of the book, Disney Attractions, Universal Attractions, and the longest chapter, and the one that will bring back the most memories for Floridians, the Vanishing Attractions.

With technology developing at such a rapid pace, and with new movies, both animated and live action, being released constantly to a new batch of demanding viewers, Disney and Universal are constantly making “upgrades” to their parks. I use quotations because for those of us who remember the parks from years ago, attractions such as Captain Eo, the Main Street Electrical Parade, the original ride at the Norway Pavilion, the Great Movie Ride, Kongfrontation, and so many more, are just distant memories, often replaced with attractions we can’t relate to. The Disney and Universal chapters will make you wistful if you were a theme park junkie.

The Vanishing Attractions chapter will bring back even more memories. Whether it be Six Gun Territory (Florida even brought in the wild west), Mystery Fun House, or Ross Allen’s Reptile Institute, Florida had an attraction for everyone. Whether you were interested in deer or ostriches, classic cars or Native Americans, you could probably find it during your drive through Florida.

Things changed with the coming of I-95 and other major roadways, but things most changed with the wider availability of affordable air travel. Visitors can easily fly directly to their destination whether that be Orlando, Miami, Tampa, or other cities with a major airport. If behind the wheel, drivers are now whisked along at 70 plus miles per hour to their destination, seldom leaving the interstate other than for gas or food. For a funny, yet highly insightful look at the family road trip, please see my review Don’t Make Me Pull Over, written by Richard Ratay.

Today, these “roadside attractions” as they are often referred to, have a hard time competing. As Clark astutely points out, Disney and Universal have done a masterful job of keeping their visitors on property. Disney has expanded to four major parks, plus multiple other diversions such as water parks, shopping, mini golf, and more. Their internal transportation systems makes it so you can park your rental car at your resort hotel and only get in it to head back to the airport. Or better yet, don’t rent a car. Instead, take shuttle buses to and from your hotel. Universal works on the same system and with plans to open a new park shortly, many visitors no longer have extra days available in their vacation itinerary to explore what else Orlando and the rest of Florida have to offer.

My only very minor criticism of the book is the shortness of each attraction description, particularly in the Vanishing Attractions chapter. This is only because I personally wanted more. The descriptions and information Dr. Clark has provided are perfectly appropriate for a book of this nature. It’s not meant to go into detail about Sunken Gardens. Rather, it is a reminder that these type attractions were around, many of them successful for years. It is for us the reader, to make the effort to seek out additional information if we choose.

Filled with dozens of interesting b/w photos, this is a book that anyone with an interest in theme park or roadside attractions history should be interested in. For the casual reader or new resident to Florida, this is a quick read and fascinating way to take a look back into an an often forgotten, but important, part of Florida history.

Recommended!

Click the image, or THIS LINK to support this site through Buy Me A Coffee. Your support helps pay for website fees and maintenance, research fees for blog and book writing, photo usage and rights fees, and other associated costs. And maybe, it will go to buying a bag of coffee to help keep me focused on the research topic at hand.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions.

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Posted on April 1, 2024August 27, 2024 by Robert — Leave a comment

Little(r) Museums of Paris Book Review

Jacobs, Emma. Little(r) Museums of Paris An Illustrated Guide to the City’s Hidden Gems. New York: Running Press. 2019. ISBN 9780762466399. $20. 192 pages. Index, bibliography, drawings.

Planning a trip to Paris can prove to be an overwhelming task. How much time do I need? How to get there? Where to stay? Where to eat? Should I rent a car? What are the must see destinations?

While she can’t answer those questions for you, author Emma Jacobs can provide you with some off the beaten path alternatives that most visitors to Paris will never even know about. If you crave the unknown, less crowded, local flavor type of destinations, this is a book you have to read before visiting Paris.

What to Expect

In a book that is whimsical, yet serious; travel guide, yet travel writing; and brief, yet thorough, Emma Jacobs holds our hand through some locations that Rick Steves will not guide you to. With that in mind, this guide (if you want to call it that) is ideal for travelers who have visited Paris and seen the major sites. Maybe you are one of those travelers who doesn’t care to see the Eiffel Tower (gasp and shame on you). Or maybe you want to see Paris like a local might. If this sounds like how you travel, step on in.

First, a couple of things that differentiate this book from a standard travel guide. The book is in hardcover format. It’s not a traditional hardcover size but it’s hardcover none the less and a bit more difficult to take with you during a days excursion. Second are the illustrations. This is not your standard travel guide that is packed with color photos. Rather, these are Jacobs own watercolor illustrations. I might have like to have some color photos included but the illustrations are charming and well thought out.

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What is Included

The book is divided into nine chapters, listed below

Marvels & Machines
History
Architecture & Design
Around the World
Time Capsules
Artists & Ateliers
Stage & Page
Science & Medicine
On the Outskirts

Each chapter contains multiple listings. All listings contain some basic information. This includes the museum name in both French and English. The address, phone number, and website are listed as are the hours of operation and admission fees.

Perhaps the most useful piece of information however is that Jacobs provides readers with the nearest Metro location. This information is crucial in trying to actually visit each location. Remember above when I asked about renting a car. Having been to Paris, here’s my advice, DON’T. Public transportation is readily available. The Metro is more reliable than buses, which are often well off schedule. Traffic in Paris can be a nightmare. If you aren’t familiar with the city and don’t have a good handle on the language, do not rent a car.

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Examples

Musee Curie — The **Curie Museum** is located in the third and last laboratory used by Marie Curie, the Curie pavilion of the Paris Radium Institute, built between 1912 and 1915. Consisting of a permanent exhibition space and a resource center historical, it offers the public the opportunity to discover the history of the Curie family, radioactivity and its first applications.

So, one issue I did have with this book is trying to determine just what is meant by “little(r).” Jacobs doesn’t supply a true definition of the term. She kind of punts on a definition in her introduction. Here she states, “luckily, a city with a museum the size of the Louvre left me a lot of flexibility in defining small.” I worked at a true small museum. A small museum does not have millions of artifacts or the budgets many of these facilities would appear to have. Potato, potahto.

Museums such as Musee des Arts Forains (Museum of Fairground Arts) focus on the whimsical such as carousels, arcade games, wax figures, and the like.

If you are interested in fashion, a visit to the Musee Yves Saint Laurent (Yves Saint Laurent Museum) has to be on your list.

Paris is known for its art and art lovers will find plenty to enjoy in this book. A visit to the Musee Rodin (Rodin Museum) will satisfy any fan. You can see the famous Liberty Leading the People during a visit to the Louvre, or you can visit the Musee National Eugene Delacroix, and learn much more about the artist.

I could go on, but I think you are getting the picture here. There are museums for every style and taste in Paris. And while the author admits this book is no where near comprehensive, you could live for a year in Paris and not cover all the museums she has provided.

Some Cautionary Notes

As with any travel guide there are some cautions to be aware of. Travel guides can age poorly. This one is probably no exception.

Jacobs lists open hours and admission prices. Please remember, this book was published BEFORE the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of that information could have changed in the ensuing years. It’s best to check the official website for each museum to confirm. I spot checked about a dozen of the sites from the book and with only 2 exceptions, all translated automatically to English. The others showed the option to do so with a click of the mouse.

An issue with the set up of the book by topic becomes the difficulty in planning to see several museums in a single day. It takes some work to determine museums that are within reasonable proximity to each other. Jacobs does provide several brief itineraries to close out the book. You have to reference these back to the text. It might have been nice to have these nearby destinations referenced in the individual listings as well.

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Takeaways

Overall, I found this to be a worthwhile read. The book can be read cover to cover, as I did, or piecemeal based upon your interests.

This book is ideal for someone planning an extended stay in Paris, or for experienced visitors who are seeking adventure outside of the standard sites recommended everywhere else.

The price of the book is very reasonable at $20. The format makes it good for keeping on your shelf but maybe not for day to day wandering throughout the city. As with any travel guide, some information can become outdated, but you all know how to use Google to verify the information provided.

Recommended.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence the views and opinions shared in this blog.

Tag: Travel Writing

Book Review–Great American Retro Road Trip Rolando Pujol

Take a trip back in time to visit the Lost Attractions of Florida with author Jim Clark. Click the link to read my review of this fun review of days gone by or click the image to order your copy.

Do you remember seeing billboards for South of the Border on your road trip? If so, Your Sheep are All Counted is an absolute must read. Read my review by clicking the link.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions.

Visit Chetham’s Library in Manchester

Reserve Your Tour Date and Time

Researchers

About Chetham’s Library

Remembering Those Lost in World War I and II

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions.

Lost Attractions of Florida Book Review

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions.

Little(r) Museums of Paris Book Review

What to Expect

What is Included

Examples

Some Cautionary Notes

Takeaways

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence the views and opinions shared in this blog.

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