American literature is replete with tales of a “Golden Age,” a time in the past when all the world was better, safer, and happier than it is in the present. Ron Adams suggests a Golden Age of trucking for 1943 through 1979, citing the things that created the era. As he explains, some contend it was the trucks; others favor the trucking companies. His verdict: “It really was not one thing that made those golden years.” It was a combination of both. Readers of this title can decide if Adams is right, and they will certainly enjoy the collection of 324 black-and-white and color photographs and captions covering the truck, trailer, and trucking companies, starting with a Federal from 1943. The photographs provide a marvelous array of truck marques, including Autocar, Brockway, Diamond T, International, Peterbilt, Kenworth, White, White Freightliner, Reo, Mack, Ford, Dodge, and GMC. Venerable trucking companies include Consolidated Freightways, Navajo, Socony Mobil Oil, Spector, Allied Van Lines, PIE, McLean, and Roadway. Unfortunately, while the trucks and trailers are identified, most of the photographs are undated, with their inclusion based on the dates the trucks were made. In addition, there are no chapters or defined sections to segment the different time periods covered by the photographs.

Book Review by Robert Gabrick