America and the Americans

America and the Americans by John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck may be known best by average readers for his iconic American set pieces Cannery Row, Grapes of Wrath and his semi travelogue/essay on America, Travels With Charley, along with many others. America and Americans is a written essay by him which features associated and expanded photo journalism from many noted American photographers, all in black and white.

What makes this brief read from the distant past (1966) worth reading for me is its creation in the midst of my most formative decade, the 1960's.  And perhaps that is enough recommendation for anyone of any age to read it. Steinbeck was nearing the end of his life at the time of its publication.  Some say he knew this about himself and felt the need to write a work which might challenge folks after him to live their American lives differently for the sake of his and their grandchildren's futures. He is concerned.

He is concerned with how non-Americans see his beloved countries citizens.  He is concerned about pollution, overcrowding, racism, military interventions by the US overseas and sex.  He doesn't get too heavy or at all explicit in the sex stuff.  He just covers enough to let you know that this deeply believing Christian liked some of the sexual revolution and disliked more.

He defends heartily his Grapes of Wrath closing which features a young mother breast feeding a starving old man as completely non-sexual and derides American men who make so much of the female mammary gland as frustrated bottle fed babies.  After all, he alludes, there is a part of the female anatomy much more important to the procreative process. Why are men so distracted from that?  Why indeed.  In the midst of our 6th decade since this book was written I would have to say modern pornography and erotic literature/film production seems to leave nothing out any more.

Ah, for the good old days of 'dirty books' hidden behind the drug store counter and twin beds, never doubles, in TV couples bedrooms.  I give this book 4 stars ****.
-Ken