Looking for America on the New Jersey Turnpike

by Angus Kress Gillespie, Michael Aaron Rockland

Two American Studies professors from Rutgers University here show how the New Jersey Turnpike--that "ugly icon,'' America's "widest and most traveled'' road--has found its way into the minds, if not the hearts, of artists and drivers alike. In poet Allen Ginsberg, singer Bruce Springsteen, commuters and roadside home owners lulled to sleep by its drone of traffic, this 12-lane asphalt monster has inspired powerful reactions, from admiration to anger. The authors consider the first asparagus patch plowed up to lay the road; the $70,000 salary a contemporary toll-taker can earn with hefty overtime; and the not infrequent lawlessness of the highway patrol. From the gray-flannel-suit diligence that built it, to the mixture of necessity, practicality and venality that maintains it, the New Jersey Turnpike proves to be an enthralling though unlikely subject.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

219 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Professor Angus Kress Gillespie is a folklorist who has studied myths, legends, tales, and ballads found in the United States. His courses in folklore range from historic figures such as Buffalo Bill, Casey Jones, Calamity Jane, and Molly Pitcher to contemporary issues such as urban legends and conspiracy theories. From time to time, Gillespie offers courses in weird folklore where he discusses creatures such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Jersey Devil. His courses in folklife consider physical folklore including architecture, art, craft, cookery, cattle ranching, seafaring, and fence construction.

Reviews

[Stephen Hoogerhyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

You wouldn't think a book about a highway would be interesting, but this one is. The authors cover a diversity of topics, including: how the road was built, how it was financed, political considerations (hey, after all, this is New Jersey), the New Jersey State Police, rest stop culture, and other matters.

Scattered throughout the book are many interesting tidbits of information, such as: stopping on the turnpike to take pictures is illegal (they were not even allowed to take one for the book; they commissioned artists' renderings), the turnpike is the busiest toll road in the nation, Port Elizabeth is the largest containerized freight facility in the nation, and New Jersey has the largest deer population in the United States.

Yes, the state that leads the nation in road miles per capita still insists on calling itself the Garden State. Read this book. It's more fun than "counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike".

[Isabel Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting read! This book really makes you think about how our roadways got where they are today and how they form culture.

[Eric_W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever wonder what toll collectors do when a motorist pulls up with no money? Did you know that it is against the law to take pictures on the New Jersey Turnpike? Want to know how the sensors work that are embedded in the road to help monitor traffic flow? Looking for America on the New Jersey Turnpike is not a book one would normally rush out to read, but after reading several favorable reviews I gave it a chance and discovered to my delight it was impossible to put down. The authors, two Rutgers professors, have written a charming short book on the history and problems of that 12-lane corridor through which 197 million vehicles pass annually. Each car, in the process, enriching the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, a totally independent body answerable to virtually no one. While the authors have a tendency to allow their personal gripes to intrude into the narrative, chances are their complaints mirror those of other travelers. If you've ever been as terrified as I while whipping through the northern half trying to enjoy the bountiful scenery of airports, refineries, swamps, cesspools, harbors, dumps, and smog, you'll enjoy this microcosm of America and the Garden State.

[Marge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't know what I expected but not this - it is literally a book about the turnpike, being built, etc. Some interesting stories and some sad, about the money being made, neighbors forced out of homes, etc. Best story was the neighbor who live next to the rear entrance to a rest stop and the couple would walk over to the restaurant for dinner when they didn't feel like cooking - the restaurant on the turnpike!

[sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

ugh. these guys have done me dirty once again. the turnpike is an authoritarian state that has blighted and destroyed the state of new jersey on a massive scale. this book just barely touches on this, and then spends 20 pages quoting songs written about the turnpike. extremely disappointing all around but does have some insightful observations here and there.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

My one complaint is in regards to the spelling of Toms River. There is no apostrophe between the 'm' and the 's' and never has been.

[Leslie]

Read this back in early '90's. Back in NJ & decided to borrow to skim again since so much has changed in more than 30 years such as EZ Pass!

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all I have to admit that I didn't finish reading this book primarily because it was not what I thought it was. Secondly, it was dry and thirdly, while only written in the late 1980s, it was wildly out of date. For people interested in the history and politics behind building the New Jersey turnpike, this book provides valuable data, otherwise I think you should skip it. I tried repeated to read the book, skipping chapters hoping to find a place that drew me in, but alas I gave up.

[Ajabee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Due to the age of this book it is somewhat hard to completely relate to the text, but the history section of the book does provide insightful knowledge. The writing of the book is dry at times, but if you are from the area or take an interest in Americana there is room for reflection in the text.

[Lisa Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This WAS a good book twenty years ago.

But at this point, the information is hugely dated.

My husband and I were reading this one together, but I think we're going to give up on it.