The American Guide Series was published in the 1930s-1940s, long before photography was easy to obtain and publish, so the books relied heavily on prose to describe America. Some of the best 20th-century writers, including Saul Bellows, Richard Wright, Studs Terkel and John Cheever, contributed to the Series. Most of the writing is surprisingly lyrical.
Each volume began with a lengthy background of history, art, architecture, economy, environment, racial relations and social life. Then the cities of the state were detailed, followed by driving tours down the US Highways across the state, from US 1 to US 90.
Most of the volumes are available on-line. If you are not able to locate a particular guide, email BruceS, one of the category officers, as he maintains a list of available guides
This category's goal is to find and waymark places referenced in the American Guide Series, transcribe the entry from the Guide Series, and tell how the place differs now (if it still exists).
