n 1960 John Steinbeck decided to reacquaint himself with America after being away because, in his own words, "I've lost the flavor and taste and sound of it. I'm going to learn about my own country." So he set out on a 3+ month journey with his dog to do just that. Along the way, he met people and made conversation, observed the state of the country, and let his mind wander as he made his journey. …showed first 75 words of 845 total…

…showed last 75 words of 845 total…places where people speak with accents, and even the Deep South had begun to lose its southern drawl. Steinbeck attributed this standardization of American speech to the effects of television and radio. Travels with Charley, in conclusion, is food for thought. At times humorous and serious, it is a record of the thoughts and lives of ordinary Americans. Although every American is distinct, nevertheless it did not deter Steinbeck from searching for the American character.