A travel book about America, except as seen through the eyes of a constant traveler, the railroad tramp. And, while it does indeed describe some of America, Conover’s agenda here is more to understand hobo society. He does this quite well, except where he finally intrudes and makes a bald statement of his opinion, and what he deems to be the reader’s opinion, in the last page. Conover is refreshingly naive, in some ways, and not afraid to place his naivete in what could be considered a work of autobiography. While I doubt someone could use this book as a manual for catching a ride on a rail, it does allow for enough detail to catch some understanding of the complexity and difficulties accompanied thereto.

[Finished 14 April 1993]