Romance? For Greyhound, it meant adventure and discovery, a respite or escape from the humdrum. Heavily illustrated with a mix of black-and-white and color images—including period advertisements, travel brochures, postcards, and archival photographs—the book’s six chapters provide a chronologically based road trip through the nation’s physical and cultural landscape. As I say in “An Enduring Icon,” the book’s introduction, “It is hard to imagine an America without the Greyhound bus.” “Chapter 1 1914–1929: The Journey Begins” covers Greyhound’s origins on Minnesota’s Iron Range up to the Great Depression. “Chapter 2 1930–1939: Riding Out the Economic Hurricane” surveys the impact of the Great Depression on Greyhound and the nation. “Chapter 3 1940–1945: The Roads of War and Victory” looks at Greyhound’s response to the demands of World War II with its famed Silversides buses, while also dreaming of a postwar future with marvelous new buses and possible helicopter service. “Chapter 4 1945–1954: The Roads to Peace and Prosperity” features the new Highway Traveler and the iconic Scenicruiser. “Chapter 5 1955–1979: New Roads for a New Era” looks at the interstate highway’s impact, while “Chapter 6 The Less-Romantic Road: Since 1980” examines Greyhound’s iconic status amid its continuing decline.

Book Review by Robert Gabrick