The fascinating story of legendary photographer Edward Curtis, who was sometimes referred to as Shadow Catcher by the Native Americans - a name which inspired the name of my van!

The first of three quintessential American road books and probably my favorite. William Least Heat Moon takes off in his van Ghost Dancing in search of himself on the backroads of America.

On The Road was written by Jack Kerouac in 1957 and may be the first great book written about the American Road-Trip. While this is a novel, it’s definitely based on Kerouac’s own experiences on the road and tells us what the Beatnik Generation was all about.

Travels With Charley follows the amazing late-life journey of one of America’s foremost authors: John Steinbeck in his converted truck camper Rocinante (named after Don Quixote’s horse). It’s another quintessential read for you road warriors out there.

Edward Abbey’s book on his time as a ranger in the early days of Arches National Park. You won’t find much solitude there these days, but this is a fascinating look at the good old days.

The Grapes of Wrath is another must-read about the American Road Trip, although this one isn’t by choice. Set in the Great Depression, the book follows the Joad family across the country in search of a better life.

A brilliant look at the life and work of a backcountry National Park ranger and the search to find him when he turns up missing. If you are a National Park lover, this is a page-turner.

Wild is a great book about Cheryl Strayed’s through-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail and about her search to find herself. This was another book I found hard to put down.

Tim Brookes sets off on a fascinating hitch-hiking journey around the country. I once hitchhiked 10,000 miles around Australia, so this one resonated with me.

I’m a huge Jon Krakauer fan and this book really displays his brilliance. Set in the wilds of Alaska it tries to recreate one man’s attempt to leave it all behind.

Not really a travel book, but a must-read for the passionate environmentalists out there. John McPhee chronicles his meetings with environmental “archdruid” David Brower.

Another good cross-country road trip read, this one focusing on America’s love affair with the automobile.

Paul Theroux’s take on the Deep South is incredible. As a world traveler who has traveled to the far corners of the earth, his observations on this region are pretty spot-on.

Hampton Sides is another of my favorite authors. This look at the manhunt to track down James Earl Ray after he assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is fascinating

You will run into the Civil War if you visit the Deep South, it’s pretty unavoidable. Tony Horowitz takes you deep into those who celebrate and re-create the war in an engaging and sometimes hilarious travel memoir.

This book is a must-read if you want to understand the blues. Learn the history of the people and places that made the blues the true art-form that it is.

This is a fascinating look into Native American culture as Kent Neburn spends time traveling to important places and simply listening to the stories he encounters there.

Hampton Sides is a brilliant author. This look into the history of Kit Carson is fascinating. Married to a Native American woman with mixed-race children, Carson still led the Navajo people on the horrific Long Walk. This book tries to figure out why.

A brilliant look at the story of the Comanche People and Quanah Parker, one of their last great leaders. This book will blow your mind.

I found this book truly fascinating. It shows the parallel lives of Crazy Horse and George Armstrong Custer and how they both ended up at Little Bighorn/Greasy Grass that day.