Across the Continent by the Lincoln Highway

Effie Price Gladding's "Across the Continent by the Lincoln Highway" serves as a compelling narrative woven through the rich tapestry of early 20th-century American travel. Employing a vivid and engaging prose style, Gladding captures the spirit of adventure and exploration that defined the Lincoln Highway era, presenting an intricate account of the diverse landscapes, towns, and communities encountered along this historic route. Her keen observations and reflections on socio-cultural dynamics elucidate the transformations taking place in the nation as automobiles began to redefine the very concept of journeying across the vast American continent. Gladding, a pioneering female author and intellectual, was influenced by her own experiences and the contemporary advent of the automobile in shaping American life. Her background in literature and her passion for travel provided her with a unique lens through which to explore the significance of the Lincoln Highway, nurturing a desire to connect the past and present through storytelling. The book mirrors the zeitgeist of the 1920s, reflecting both the fascination with modernity and the nostalgia for traditional ways of life. With its blend of travelogue, social commentary, and personal reflection, "Across the Continent by the Lincoln Highway" is essential reading for those interested in the intersections of culture, history, and geography. Gladding's insightful narrative invites readers to traverse not only the physical roadways of America but also the deeper explorations of identity and community that define our shared history.