Introduction:
Traveling across the country means a lot more than hitting the open road for a week, visiting famous landmarks, and taking selfies. It’s about the discovery of the people, culture, and history that made America the great country it is today. One of the best ways to do that is to read stories about America’s past, stories that take you through lesser-known towns across the country, and introduce you to interesting characters, who are without a doubt the real fabric of America. The perfect travelogue that can help you satiate your wanderlust, and learn about America’s history at the same time, is “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles. A literary journey that will make you feel like you are on the road with the characters and allow you to discover the country.
Section 1: Understanding “The Lincoln Highway”
“The Lincoln Highway” isn’t just a book, it is an ode to American history- it is the story of an ambitious young man, Emmett Watson, who leaves his dull life in Nebraska to explore the unknown worlds of the east coast in the beginning of the 20th century. The backdrop of this tale is the country’s first transcontinental highway, “The Lincoln Highway.” The book is a mix of fiction and history, as it unfolds Emmett’s journey through cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago while exploring the country’s changing landscape. The story is set in a time when the West was still the Wild West, and the country was rapidly evolving, and the book provides a first-hand account of the changes while also taking us on a journey through America’s rich history.
Section 2: Rediscovering America
As Emmett travels from one place to another, he meets new people, including prostitutes, farmers, and prohibition activists. Through these characters, we get to see different facets of the country and understand how American society shaped the country to be what it is today. The Lincoln highway is not the shortest route, but it is a testament to the ingenuity and courage of Americans, and it is the perfect mixture of natural and man-made beauty. The book gives us a glimpse of how the United States has transformed from a struggling country into one of the most advanced societies globally. We learn about the country’s geography, diverse cultures, and the creation of infrastructure, which laid the foundation for a modern era of transportation.
Section 3: The Importance of Learning American History
As we travel through the pages of the book, we can see the various influences that have shaped America’s history, social structures, and cultural norms. The book highlights how the people traveled through this road, what places they visited, and how the transcontinentalhighway made it possible to unite the different parts of America. Learning about the struggles these people went through to construct this highway and how it changed the lives of millions of people is an essential part of understanding America’s history, and shaping its identity today. “The Lincoln Highway” is an excellent example of how fiction can provide a window into the past and can help us comprehend our present better.
Section 4: Importance of Road trips :
Road trips are an excellent way of getting in touch with ourselves and the environment around us. Journeying through America enables us to discover new things about ourselves and the country. The Lincoln Highway provides an excellent opportunity to rediscover America and its significant contributions to the world, one small town and character at a time. Once you begin reading this book, you will want to go on a road trip across America yourself, and experience the sights and sounds of the open road in person.