Elvis Presley Boulevard: From Sea to Shining Sea, Almost

by Mark Winegardner

The author describes his experiences on a cross-country car trip and shares his observations on the interstate highway system and the people he met along the way

Genres: Travel

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Mark Winegardner (born November 24, 1961) is an American writer born and raised in Bryan, Ohio. His novels include The Godfather Returns, Crooked River Burning, and The Veracruz Blues. He published a collection of short stories, That's True of Everybody, in 2002. His newest novel, The Godfather's Revenge, was published in November 2006 by Putnam. His Godfather novels continue the story of the Corleone family depicted in Mario Puzo's The Godfather.

According to a press release from Putnam: In a major acquisition, G. P. Putnam's Sons Executive Editor Dan Conaway secured North American rights to The Godfather's Revenge, the capstone to the Corleone family saga, which began with Mario Puzo's landmark novel and was carried forward in Winegardner's 2004 New York Times bestseller, The Godfather Returns. The Godfather's Revenge was written by Winegardner, based on Puzo's original characters.

"It's staggering to contemplate the legacy of the Godfather films and novels," says Dan Conaway. "They have had a deeper, broader and more lasting impact on the fabric of contemporary culture than has any other such franchise in the past 50 years.

It's fitting, then, that The Godfather's Revenge overlays the resonant mythology of the Corleone family onto the most vexing real-life mystery of our age, with a storyline that explores the role organized crime may have had in the assassination of a charismatic young President." [1]

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author sets off with his fellow grad student from Ohio in an aging '68 Chevy Impala to collect memories and souvenirs at tacky tourist attractions on whichever interstate they are on. Their low budget means they sleep and sometimes eat in the car so, for instance, at one stop they have peanut butter (from Oxford), grape jelly (New Orleans), and eight slices of Wonder Bread (Des Moines). Ater they ate their peanut butter sandwiches with plastic cutlery purchased in Gatlinburg and drank ice tea in a cocktail glass stolen from a bar in Chicago, they crossed the Continental Divide, where they began seeing billboard teasers for The Thing, complete with the possibiities of "Genuine Indian Mocassins," or "Free Pepsi with Fill-up." A necessary stop, of course, where the author sticks his head through a piece of peeling painted plywood for a photo of a Bible-clutching pilgrim waif. They find Elvis memorabilia everywhere: "Give us this day, our daily Elvis." But at Graceland they forget to buy an Elvis ashtray, but decide the trip back is not worth it." The road to hell is paved with unbought ashtrays." All in all Winegardner decides,"any quest seeks not the end of the road, but the road itself."

[Sagi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very easy-going style of narration. Lots of humorous bits, relatable arguments & guilt trips between good friends... The romantic pinning along the way are a little underdeveloped & so come off a bit odd. Googling the locations, some of the places are off a word or 2 in the name - not sure if this was a legality issue, poor memory, or author's choice. A good chunk of the places are also now closed, considering this trip took place decades ago. But we all know places like them, anyway. Surprisingly not as much vivid connection to Elvis as the title would imply... The Graceland chapter is by far definitely the best, but it comes early & so the rest of the book lacks in that regard, if you're solely reading because you're an Elvis fan.

I began reading it to see if it might make a good gift for my boyfriend. He loves tales of road trips, & "slice of life" stories, as he likes to call them. I'd say this book is good for a variety of ages & identities. I also wanted to read it, because they stop through my current town of Tucson along the way. Alas, it was a shorter blurb - & one of the sections with locations that are no longer relevant to the modern reader. But still fun to see your town on the page, regardless.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story about a recent college graduate and his road trip. Easy read - enjoyed it. I love a good road trip.

[Sam Gaylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Give us this day our daily Elvis."

[TrumanCoyote · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps inevitably, the initial high spirits led to a letdown toward the end. And the finale seems to me rather pat--even a bit of a sell-out (I couldn't help but wonder if the two of them are still together...). But anyway, a lot of fun while it lasted (or as much fun as two grad students are likely to have anyway!). :D

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad road trip adventure, though rather dated by now. The author's sidekick, Bob, seemed clearly the more interesting of the pair; I'm left more curious about his life turned out than Mark's.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most entertaining travel book I have ever read. Down to earth and unpretentious. Celebrates the tourist trap.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I'm just trying to remember all the Atlantic Monthly Press Traveler books that I read, because they are all worth recommending. This one is really fun, focusing on weird Americana places.

[Gib · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet story about how we're all connected to the king.

[Amanda Crowson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

But misleading title. Though it does mention Elvis Presley it is most definitely not about him. I give it five stars because it is rather captivating.