Ah, road trips! Making new mixtapes with all your favorite songs, chosen specifically for the mood of your destination; packing the most portable, filling and tasty snacks; and finding interesting roadside attractions at which to stop along the way yes, these were good times indeed. Do you think that Harry and Bess Truman made similar preparations before they headed out on their post-presidency, 2,500-mile road trip (cassette tapes aside, of course)? Journalist and author Matthew Algeos new book, Harry Trumans Excellent Adventure: The True Story of a Great American Road Trip, offers a look at what these two kids did (without the accompaniment of the Secret Service) after they left Independence, Missouri, for New York City on their nineteen-day drive. Algeo makes a couple of stops in St. Louis to talk about his book and his research process; have a listen at 3 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at the Fenton Barnes & Noble (721 Gravois Road; 636-326-4619) and at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, at Puddnhead Books (37 South Old Orchard Avenue, Webster Groves; 314-918-1069). All events are free.
Thu., May 14, 2009