First published 1969
Woody Guthrie grows up in Oklahoma and sets out to discover America during the Great Depression. He travels by boxcar, hitchhiking, and on foot across the entire country. Along the way he writes and performs the folk songs that will become part of America's musical heritage. Guthrie encounters the struggles of ordinary people during these hard years. He witnesses poverty, displacement, and resilience in small towns and big cities. His journey shapes both his music and his understanding of the nation. The book captures his vibrant personality as he moves from place to place, always observing and always singing. Guthrie tells his story in his own voice, making readers feel as if he's speaking directly to them. This autobiography reveals how one man's travels across America during its most challenging decade created a lasting artistic legacy.
Genres: 20th-century, autobiography, biography-memoir, americana
Vibes: emotional, intimate, lyrical
Tropes: coming-of-age, journey
Setting: America, Oklahoma
Period: Great Depression
430 pages · Hardcover · Littlehampton Book Services Ltd