Perspective

John Steinbeck has two qualities that enable him to writer the book. He is an established writer of fiction with a distinctive style, and he actually takes the three-month long trip across a good portion of the United States. Since he is a professional writer but not a journalist, he approaches the places, events and people from a more artistic viewpoint. Much of what he feels comes out in the writing, which is not objective journalism but also more interesting than simply reporting the facts.

Steinbeck admits to this subjectivity. He also supposes that any journey has a life of its own, which is defined by place, time and personality. His journey is very different from what Lewis and Clark experienced in the early 19th century. It is different from what he might experience following the same route at a different time.

This story is written for anybody...