About a quarter century ago, a previously unknown writer named William Least Heat-Moon wrote a book called Blue Highways. Acclaimed as a classic, it was a travel book like no other. Quirky, discursive, endlessly curious, Heat-Moon had embarked on an American journey off the beaten path. Sticking to the small places via the small roads -- those colored blue on maps -- he uncovered a nation deep in character, story, and charm.
Now, for the first time since Blue Highways, Heat-Moon is back on the backroads. Roads to Quoz is his lyrical, funny, and touching account of a series of American journeys into small-town America.
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"Anyone who knows me knows I suffer from chronic wanderlust. It helps that I have a man in my life who is a fellow sufferer, so I don't know if reading these kinds of books helps or hurts. All I do know is my travel bucket list has grown tenfold now. My father has recommended Heat-Moon's books for some time and I can see why. There is a great mixture of history, humor, and and quirky characters that make this a wonderful read. Not only do I want to travel the ICW (google it), but I would love to journey along abandoned railroads on a rail bike. I recommend this book to anyone who feels the call of the open road."
— Jami (4 out of 5 stars)
“Few readers will be able to resist tagging along.”
— Publishers Weekly“Natural, national, and personal history converge in this resplendent ‘mosey,’ an inspiriting antidote to hurry and a profound tribute to this good land and its people.”
— Booklist“Narrator Sherman Howard perfectly delivers the author’s saunter through the states. Howard’ s untroubled, unhurried exposition allows the listener to bask in the splendid (sometimes overdone) descriptions of ‘all things Quoz—things strange, incongruous, or peculiar.’ Howard delights in telling us about the mysterious Quapaw Ghost Light of Oklahoma or southern river towns that time forgot. It’ s like sitting on Grandpa’ s knee.”
— AudioFile“A pleasure for his fans, who are deservingly many.”
— Kirkus ReviewsNarrator Sherman Howard perfectly delivers the author's saunter through the states. Howard's untroubled, unhurried exposition allows the listener to bask in the splendid descriptions (sometimes overdone) descriptions of 'all things Quoz-things strange, incongrous, or peculiar"It's like sitting on Grandpa's knee or hearing the ghost of Charles Kuralt exulting in all the wonderful tiny things that make up the fabric of America.
— AudioFile" William Least Heat Moon is a lot like Bill Bryson. In this book, he "moseys" across America searching for the offbeat & meeting up with lots of memorable characters. I enjoyed listening to this book, especially the part about the Low Country & the Gullah people of South Carolina. "
— Mary, 2/19/2014" 3 1/2 rounded up to 4. I could have given it a 5 if he hadn't gotten so wordy in places. There were parts I just had to skip over, but the rest of the book mostly made up for it. I realize that wouldn't bother a lot of people, but I tend to start skimming books after a hundred or so pages as it is. "
— Steve, 2/5/2014" This was WLHM at his best. On the road again, he presents the lives of those he meets, and the country he passes through. Moon is almost poetic, and he treats those he meets with respect. A winner if you love his work. "
— Jonathan, 1/27/2014" Serendipitous USA travel; "proceed as the way opens" "
— John, 1/16/2014" I've loved his previous work, but this was too much of a mosey. "
— Jeff, 1/14/2014" Another great road trip. "
— Janet, 11/16/2013" Mr. Least Heat Moon's musings as he sets out across regions of the US, are thought provoking and amusing. It appears that he has fun producing his books, and keeps to a leisurely schedule. "
— Florence, 11/14/2013" I really enjoyed Blue Highways and this was almost as good. He visits many interesting places, meets many interesting people, and does a wonderful job of telling their stories. "
— Mike, 9/7/2013" I didn't like this one as well as I liked Blue Highways, but it was worth the time I invested. Can't quite put my finger on why, though. "
— Wes, 6/2/2013" I could not get into this book "
— Frederick, 2/24/2013" Its a long hard read that in the end I just couldn't finish. I think it makes a good book to browse through occasionally, but to read the whole thing was a 6 month long process and I couldn't do it! "
— Jeffrey, 12/8/2012" "Travels with Charley" for the logophile. "
— Ted, 11/19/2012" If you liked Blue Highways, you will like this book too. It is a lot longer read. It is also a slightly different look on may of the same subjects. More detail sometimes that maybe is required, but that is his style. Overall it is a very good read. "
— Mark, 7/6/2012" It was fun going on the trip with Wm. and Q - I especially enjoyed the part about the RailCycle - sounds like fun! "
— Robin, 12/29/2011" I read only the last section, "Down an Old Waterway," pp. 497-562, which tells of a journey down the Intracoastal Waterway, because we will have a journey on that waterway in late April, going in the opposite direction, from Jacksonville, FL to Charleston, SC. "
— Joan, 11/29/2011" Very querky sense of humor that matches something in me. I love his meanderings. "
— Phyllis, 8/2/2011" If you liked Blue Highways, you will like this book too. It is a lot longer read. It is also a slightly different look on may of the same subjects. More detail sometimes that maybe is required, but that is his style. Overall it is a very good read. "
— Mark, 5/12/2011" I read only the last section, "Down an Old Waterway," pp. 497-562, which tells of a journey down the Intracoastal Waterway, because we will have a journey on that waterway in late April, going in the opposite direction, from Jacksonville, FL to Charleston, SC. "
— Joan, 3/24/2011" Not your average travel book. If you're looking for something about offbeat places, read this. The author's style takes awhile to get used to, but I quite liked it. I wish some states (i.e. Kentucky) weren't overlooked, though. "
— Erin, 6/17/2010" A big long book. William L H-M travels in a way that few travellers today take the time to enjoy. He sees things many would never notice and puts things together in a way that makes things more interesting than common descriptions. "
— Donna, 6/17/2010" Very querky sense of humor that matches something in me. I love his meanderings. "
— Phyllis, 4/23/2010" This was WLHM at his best. On the road again, he presents the lives of those he meets, and the country he passes through. Moon is almost poetic, and he treats those he meets with respect. A winner if you love his work. "
— Jonathan, 2/22/2010" I bought this book for my mother and borrowed it back over Christmas. Wonderfully fantastic, and I think I'd like to meet this author, who shares my love for useless information. Quoztastic! "
— Matthew, 1/27/2010" Its a long hard read that in the end I just couldn't finish. I think it makes a good book to browse through occasionally, but to read the whole thing was a 6 month long process and I couldn't do it! "
— Jeffrey, 1/20/2010" Interesting trip across the country on back roads looking for unusual places and people. It's a very long book that's easy to pick up and enjoy in short spurts. "
— Darlene, 1/4/2010" This isn't the greatest William Least Heat-Moon book, but it was thoughtful, and a wonderful opportunity to revisit his excellent prose style. "
— Andy, 1/4/2010" 'Americas greatest chronicler of blue highways has returned' says the dust jacket. <br/>He has and he has some excellent stories, beautifully told. But one has to wade through a lot of dross to savor them. "
— Nicole, 9/13/2009" I really enjoyed Blue Highways and this was almost as good. He visits many interesting places, meets many interesting people, and does a wonderful job of telling their stories. "
— Mike, 9/7/2009William Least Heat-Moon is the pen name of William Trogdon, who was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He holds a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism and a doctorate in English from the University of Missouri. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Blue Highways. His other works include Prairyerth, Columbus in the Americas, Roads to Quoz, and River-Horse, an account of his travels along America’s interior waterways.