The Majic Bus: An American Odyssey

by Douglas Brinkley

Book Overview

In response to a student's question, history professor Douglas Brinkley formed a new kind of history course. Seventeen students were selected to join the maiden voyage of Hofstra University's traveling classroom in a course called An American Odyssey: Art and Culture Across America. The roving classroom visited 30 states on a sleeper bus over a six-week period in a unique learning expedition. 20 photos.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0151556946
• ISBN13: 9780151556946
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt P
• Length: 513 Pages
• Weight: 2.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 7.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Inspiring

This book will inspire you to plan and take a great American roadtrip of your own. Brinkley treats America's best road house eateries and greatest historic landmarks with equal reverence. What I loved most about this book is that he constantly reminds you that many of the simplest pleasures we take for granted in America are actually unique landmarks of both human and historic interest. A must read for teachers!

Lets go on a trip

"Majic Bus" is a thoroughly enjoyable book. In many way, it is a courageous work, because Brinkley speaks his mind on the way "history" and "literature" is "taught" today. Two weeks ago, I went on a 4,400 mile trip across USA. Even though I did not follow the route taken by Brinkley and his gang, and I last read the book 12 months ago, I was thinking about the book. I also enjoyed the preface to the paperback edition. One minor caveat: the choice of typeface was rather unfortunate.

Before You Vacation

I bought this book and decided to read it before I embarked on a vacation out west. I learned so much more by what I learned and it focused my attention to all the wonderful things I'd love to see and learn more about. A piece of America that is long forgotten to most, this book makes the open roads seem like home to everyone.

Almost as much fun reading about it as living it!

Kudos to Dr. Brinkley for both his book and his concept of a traveling classroom. (Having been on art history tours in Europe--thank you Andy S.--I know how seeing art, architecture, meeting the people and tasting the food brings the lessons of art and history to life). This book stirs my interest in various parts of the United States. However, ours is a vast country, and more books are needed to cover areas neglected in the first trip.

Hop on the bus

I picked up a copy last year and can honestly say it has changed the way I look at this country and our cultural heritage. It's honest, witty, quirky and impossible to put down.