Comments on: Book Review: “Traffic” by Tom Vanderbilt

By: Seth’s blog » Blog Archive » My Pleasantly-Strange Trip to Beijing

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:23:50 +0000

[...] a fly alighted on my book (Traffic by Tom [...]

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:30:42 +0000

Amen, db! Most libraries have implemented such systems…and they are great resources if you don’t want to use your car.

In my case, I actually get to keep all these review copies — I’ve been a lifelong “print junkie”, and my dining room/living room reflects 30+ years of collecting books — they’re everywhere!

By: db

db — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:44:12 +0000

the nice thing about working in a library….

You don’t even have to work at one. Where I live, I can go online, search for a book/CD/DVD/video game, and then have it delivered to the nearest branch (well within biking distance). Libraries, when well run, are fantastic resources for depending less on your car.

By: Ken Steinhoff

Ken Steinhoff — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:41:37 +0000

One of the nice things about working for a newspaper (up until the end of August, when I retired), was that I, too, had a shot at looking at the review books when they came in.

Traffic was a great read and both reinforced and challenged my previous beliefs about what happens on the roadway.

By: burnhamish

burnhamish — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:01:21 +0000

I put it on my “wish list”, anyway. I heard a piece on this book on NPR, and it sounds intriguing. I’m looking forward to reading it.

By: bikingbristol

bikingbristol — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:44:21 +0000

the nice thing about working in a library….
two or three clicks and the book should arrive by courier tomorrow.

I am so spoiled.

i am interested in the history of roadways. Any good reads that you know of.

By: Shek

Shek — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:02:02 +0000

I read Chris Balish’s book before reading Divorce Your Car. They are aligned in topic but Divorce Your Car is probably ten times more exhaustive with historical facts and figures.

Take it a step further and also watch the movie: End of Suburbia and you will be just as flustered as I am

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:03:33 +0000

I read Chris Balish’s book on the same topic (http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/06/12/book-review-how-to-live-well-without-owning-a-car/), but I’ve heard good things about “Divorce Your Car”…I’ll take a look for it via ILL.

By: Shek

Shek — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:08:29 +0000

I just placed a hold on it at my library.

If you haven’t read, try Divorce Your Car by Katie Alvord too. She has done a lot of research on America’s history and how Americans have come to be so dependent on cars.