What do you think?
Rate this book
American Places: A Writer's Pilgrimage to 16 of This Country's Most Visited and Cherished Sites
"This inspiring guide includes places everyone means to go to some day, all described with the usual clarity of the author of On Writing Well ."— The New York Times "A fascinating take on 'the search for memory' and how certain places have come to symbolize deep American principles."— Kirkus Reviews Join William Zinsser as he visits sixteen of our nation's most treasured historic sites—unlearning cliched assumptions and rediscovering fundamental truths about America. American Places —and the ideals that Zinsser discovers these places represent—will never go out of fashion. "Speaking across the centuries with stone and symbol, narrative and myth, America's iconic places remind us of our anchoring principles and best intentions. 'This is where we started and what we believed and who we hoped to become,' these places say. At least that's what they said to me." "Niagara Falls existed only in the attic of my mind where collective memory is scraps of songs about honeymooning couples, vistas by painters who tried to get the plummeting waters to hold still, film clips of Marilyn Monroe running for her life in Niagara , odds and ends of lore about stuntmen who died going over the falls, and always, somewhere among the scraps, a boat called Maid of the Mist , which took tourists…where? Behind the falls? Under the falls? Death hovered at the edge of the images in my attic, or at least danger. But I had never thought of going to see the place itself. That was for other people. Now I wanted to be one of those other people."—from American Places " American Places paints vivid word pictures that put you in those places and make you feel that you've been there, but it also encourages each of us to take our own trek through history."— Riverside Press-Enterprise "Zinsser's choices and descriptions are refreshing because of the obvious thought that went into the selections. It's also fun to read Zinsser's observations."— Chicago Tribune William Zinsser is a lifelong journalist and nonfiction writer—he began his career on the New York Herald Tribune in 1946—and is also a teacher, best known for his book On Writing Well , a companion held in affection by three generations of writers, reporters, editors, teachers, and students. His 17 other books range from memoir ( Writing Places ) to travel ( American Places ), jazz ( Mitchell & Ruff ), American popular song ( Easy to Remember ), baseball ( Spring Training ) and the craft of writing ( Writing to Learn ). During the 1970s he was at Yale University, where he was master of Branford College and taught the influential nonfiction workshop that would start many writers and editors on their careers. He has taught at the New School, in New York, his hometown, and at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
196 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
10 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
William Zinsser
47 books526 followersWilliam Knowlton Zinsser is an American writer, editor, literary critic, and teacher. He began his career as a journalist for the New York Herald Tribune, where he worked as a feature writer, drama editor, film critic, and editorial writer. He has been a longtime contributor to leading magazines.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 18, 2022
This book ends with
The full title of it is American Places: A Writer's Pilgrimage to 16 of This Country's Most Visited and Cherished Sites. It was originally published in 1992; Zinsser, born in 1922 and a veteran of World War II, traveled the country during the first Gulf War. The edition I read was released in 2002, in the wake of 9/11 and the patriotism that went along with that. Meanwhile, I read this just after Clint Smith's How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America, which similarly involves the author traveling to various places around the country and reflecting; only Smith's reflections were on racism. Zinsser touches on racism and the darker parts of American history, but he only glances on them, and consistently comes back to the shining ideals of America. It's a contrast. In his Disneyland chapter, Zinsser notes
and in reflecting on the Alamo, he writes
He notes in the Mount Rushmore chapter that Indians were NOT supportive of the effort, but he's still very pro-Gutzon Borglum, who was involved with the KKK. Zinsser reiterates the "Robert E. Lee as a noble figure" belief, and seems to have no problem with the "Both sides were nobly fighting!" narrative of the Civil War. He also chose Abilene, Kansas, Eisenhower's hometown, "which represents the values of small-town America," which I did NOT enjoy, thanks largely to years of the media trying to tell me that that's "real America" in very much the same tone Zinsser uses. No thank you.
Another site he chose was the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. That was an interesting chapter (he somehow had never heard of the Southern Poverty Law Center?). The background on the memorial was interesting, but the attitude permeating the chapter is "The civil rights struggle is over" (though he does acknowledge in a later chapter the 1981 lynching of Michael Donald). Good news, everyone! Racism was over in 1991!
He goes from Montgomery to Mount Vernon, and woof, after reading Smith's book, this chapter is difficult. Washington being an enslaver is mentioned in passing (spoiler: dude was NOT benevolent when it came to enslaved people) (but apparently while he was away, he was like, "If people come to the house wanting food, give it to them" so that...makes up for it?), but Washington is pretty much deified, and the chapter is very much the epitome of Smith's criticisms of historic sites being about the main house and the furniture within.
I was also annoyed that Zinsser made the decision to pretty much not do any research before going to these sites, though he did enough to make appointments to meet with people who worked at the places. For instance, in the Pearl Harbor chapter:
This man is A WORLD WAR TWO VETERAN! In the year of our Lord 1991! It was the FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY! He HAD to have seen SOMETHING about this! I was 13 years old and had watched tv specials on this; how hadn't he?
All this makes it seem like I didn't enjoy the book, which isn't the case at all. I was brought back to my own visit to Yellowstone Park in the mid-90s, where I looked for evidence of the devastating 1988 fires, which Zinsser describes. He has an incredibly engaging writing style, and I definitely learned things--about the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk, about Rockefeller Center. I really enjoyed the Chautauqua chapter. He talks to people who worked at all these places, and they all somehow manage to sound exactly the same; people travel to these sites, regarding the places as their own--they are America's places.
When I think that this was written by a 70ish-year-old man in the early 1990s, I'm honestly pretty impressed. Smith has discussion in How the Word Is Passed about history vs. memory vs. reminiscing; the sites in this book want people to reminisce. It's American history with mostly rose-colored glasses.
Speaking to us across the years with stone and symbol, narrative and myth, America's iconic places reminds us of our anchoring principles and our best ideals and intentions. "This is where we started and what we believed and who we hoped to become," these places say. At least that's what they said to me. (p. 196)
The full title of it is American Places: A Writer's Pilgrimage to 16 of This Country's Most Visited and Cherished Sites. It was originally published in 1992; Zinsser, born in 1922 and a veteran of World War II, traveled the country during the first Gulf War. The edition I read was released in 2002, in the wake of 9/11 and the patriotism that went along with that. Meanwhile, I read this just after Clint Smith's How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America, which similarly involves the author traveling to various places around the country and reflecting; only Smith's reflections were on racism. Zinsser touches on racism and the darker parts of American history, but he only glances on them, and consistently comes back to the shining ideals of America. It's a contrast. In his Disneyland chapter, Zinsser notes
The crowds were also very white. Although I noticed a number of Mexican-American and Asian tourists, I saw only one black family in two days. American blacks, I suspect, know that it will take more than wishing upon a star to make their hearts' desires come true. (p. 156)
and in reflecting on the Alamo, he writes
The result is that the 189 martyrs of the Alamo have descended through time unbesmirched, immune to the virus of revisionism that sooner or later disfigures even the noblest heroes and saints. ... That 189 such paragons were gathered in one fort in frontier Texas would seem to run counter to what is known about the kind of men who settled the West, not to mention what is known of human nature. (p. 77)
He notes in the Mount Rushmore chapter that Indians were NOT supportive of the effort, but he's still very pro-Gutzon Borglum, who was involved with the KKK. Zinsser reiterates the "Robert E. Lee as a noble figure" belief, and seems to have no problem with the "Both sides were nobly fighting!" narrative of the Civil War. He also chose Abilene, Kansas, Eisenhower's hometown, "which represents the values of small-town America," which I did NOT enjoy, thanks largely to years of the media trying to tell me that that's "real America" in very much the same tone Zinsser uses. No thank you.
Another site he chose was the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. That was an interesting chapter (he somehow had never heard of the Southern Poverty Law Center?). The background on the memorial was interesting, but the attitude permeating the chapter is "The civil rights struggle is over" (though he does acknowledge in a later chapter the 1981 lynching of Michael Donald). Good news, everyone! Racism was over in 1991!
He goes from Montgomery to Mount Vernon, and woof, after reading Smith's book, this chapter is difficult. Washington being an enslaver is mentioned in passing (spoiler: dude was NOT benevolent when it came to enslaved people) (but apparently while he was away, he was like, "If people come to the house wanting food, give it to them" so that...makes up for it?), but Washington is pretty much deified, and the chapter is very much the epitome of Smith's criticisms of historic sites being about the main house and the furniture within.
I was also annoyed that Zinsser made the decision to pretty much not do any research before going to these sites, though he did enough to make appointments to meet with people who worked at the places. For instance, in the Pearl Harbor chapter:
I got to Honolulu on a Sunday afternoon, checked into a hotel, hailed a cab, and asked the drive to take me to Pearl Harbor.
"Where in Pearl Harbor?" he said.
"I want to go where the tourists go."
He said, "You want the Arizona Memorial?" I said I didn't think so. Why would I want an Arizona memorial?
"So where should I take you?" he asked.
I told him to take me where he takes all the other tourists.
"That's the Arizona Memorial."
I said O.K. What it meant would be revealed. (p. 175)
This man is A WORLD WAR TWO VETERAN! In the year of our Lord 1991! It was the FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY! He HAD to have seen SOMETHING about this! I was 13 years old and had watched tv specials on this; how hadn't he?
All this makes it seem like I didn't enjoy the book, which isn't the case at all. I was brought back to my own visit to Yellowstone Park in the mid-90s, where I looked for evidence of the devastating 1988 fires, which Zinsser describes. He has an incredibly engaging writing style, and I definitely learned things--about the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk, about Rockefeller Center. I really enjoyed the Chautauqua chapter. He talks to people who worked at all these places, and they all somehow manage to sound exactly the same; people travel to these sites, regarding the places as their own--they are America's places.
When I think that this was written by a 70ish-year-old man in the early 1990s, I'm honestly pretty impressed. Smith has discussion in How the Word Is Passed about history vs. memory vs. reminiscing; the sites in this book want people to reminisce. It's American history with mostly rose-colored glasses.
December 11, 2021
Not that long ago — until his death in 2015 — I regularly read Zinsser on Friday, a weekly essay William Zinsser wrote. You can access the complete Zinsser on Friday collection through the link. Good stuff.
The sixteen places Zinsser visits are
• Mount Rushmore
• Lexington, Concord
• Niagara Falls
• Yellowstone
• Hannibal
• The Alamo
• Appomattox
• Montgomery
• Mount Vernon
• Kitty Hawk
• Abilene
• Chautauqua
• Disneyland
• Rockefeller Center
• Pearl Harbor (<-- I read this on December 7th!)
• Omaha Beach
It was a delight to travel with William Zinsser and also to get to know who he was. I'm not a morning person — the daily act of getting out of bed brings a daily twinge of self-pity. Some of his choices didn't have a National Park attached to the property, and I'm glad he included Hannibal and Abilene. Disneyland wouldn't let their staff speak to him, tee hee!
I learned little bits here and there. It was almost--dare I say it?-- like a bathroom book of trivia that is easy to pick up and easy to put down. I knew nothing about the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery that Maya Lin designed. Do look it up. Nor that "Court House" was tacked on to the name of county seats. There is no court house at Appomattox Court House! (Who knew?)
New to me: the first president of the University of Chicago, William Rainey Harper, (<--I've always wondered if we are distantly related; I was born Carol Harper) was the president of the Chautauqua when he was picked to preside over a new upcoming Baptist (!) university.
I planned it so I read about Pearl Harbor on December 7th. I love Zinsser's lack of pretention. He asked the taxi driver to take him to Pearl Harbor but didn't know that meant going to the mostly sunk USS Arizona.
All in all, a pleasant read. This would make a great companion read to Dear Bob and Sue.
The sixteen places Zinsser visits are
• Mount Rushmore
• Lexington, Concord
• Niagara Falls
• Yellowstone
• Hannibal
• The Alamo
• Appomattox
• Montgomery
• Mount Vernon
• Kitty Hawk
• Abilene
• Chautauqua
• Disneyland
• Rockefeller Center
• Pearl Harbor (<-- I read this on December 7th!)
• Omaha Beach
It was a delight to travel with William Zinsser and also to get to know who he was. I'm not a morning person — the daily act of getting out of bed brings a daily twinge of self-pity. Some of his choices didn't have a National Park attached to the property, and I'm glad he included Hannibal and Abilene. Disneyland wouldn't let their staff speak to him, tee hee!
I learned little bits here and there. It was almost--dare I say it?-- like a bathroom book of trivia that is easy to pick up and easy to put down. I knew nothing about the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery that Maya Lin designed. Do look it up. Nor that "Court House" was tacked on to the name of county seats. There is no court house at Appomattox Court House! (Who knew?)
New to me: the first president of the University of Chicago, William Rainey Harper, (<--I've always wondered if we are distantly related; I was born Carol Harper) was the president of the Chautauqua when he was picked to preside over a new upcoming Baptist (!) university.
I planned it so I read about Pearl Harbor on December 7th. I love Zinsser's lack of pretention. He asked the taxi driver to take him to Pearl Harbor but didn't know that meant going to the mostly sunk USS Arizona.
All in all, a pleasant read. This would make a great companion read to Dear Bob and Sue.
February 21, 2020
This is a book beyond superlatives. He goes to places we've read about or heard about for all of our lives, and at each one he asks, why? Why do we go here? What does it tell us about ourselves? About our country?
In a time when the news is all about lies and corruption and the evil men do in the quest for power--
There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it.
--Voldemort
It was a refreshment to read about Mount Vernon, the estate of a reluctant leader who preferred to be back at home, digging in the earth and planting trees. It was a delight to visit Appatomax, where Grant send Lee's soldiers home with their horses so they could get their planting done; where the northern soldiers shared their rations with the conquered foes; and gave them a soldier's salute as
they came to lay down their weapons.
Mr. Zinsser went to many places, from Montgomery Alabama to Niagara Falls to Kitty Hawk. And in all of them he found hope for the future. We could all use some of that now.
In a time when the news is all about lies and corruption and the evil men do in the quest for power--
There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it.
--Voldemort
It was a refreshment to read about Mount Vernon, the estate of a reluctant leader who preferred to be back at home, digging in the earth and planting trees. It was a delight to visit Appatomax, where Grant send Lee's soldiers home with their horses so they could get their planting done; where the northern soldiers shared their rations with the conquered foes; and gave them a soldier's salute as
they came to lay down their weapons.
Mr. Zinsser went to many places, from Montgomery Alabama to Niagara Falls to Kitty Hawk. And in all of them he found hope for the future. We could all use some of that now.
January 3, 2025
William Zinsser taught writing. He wrote the manual "On Writing Well." And he has written memoir and other books, engaging and relevant. I like his style. I like his attitude. Here is a travel memoir. Zinsser visited national parks and American monuments on a discovery journey and wrote responses and impressions. I've never been to "Kitty Hawk," but Zinsser makes me wish I had, and makes me see it as he saw it in case I never get there. I have new admiration for the Wright brothers. I've been to fewer than half of the destinations in this book, but his insights have superimposed value to the ones I've visited. Read American Places. It will teach you, and renew wonder in your soul over what makes this country great.
August 15, 2019
Good idea and solid thematic core, and I am sure that when it was published (1992), it was a fun and interesting book.
Now, it feels dated and tone-deaf. Obviously not the author’s fault, but it is a nagging buzz heard and felt through the entire book.
Now, it feels dated and tone-deaf. Obviously not the author’s fault, but it is a nagging buzz heard and felt through the entire book.
February 27, 2021
A warm and well-written travelogue, visiting places that capture the soul of America, but looking at them with new angles and built with the thoughts and commentary of caretakers who operate these treasured places day in and day out.
July 12, 2021
Good at putting you to sleep.
July 5, 2024
Bland and somewhat dated. I expected much more from Zinsser.
February 10, 2014
This was such a great and inspirational book. Zinsser does a wonderful job of describing all of these places to you. The one that stands out the most was "Kitty Hawk". I was left breathless and absolutely amazed by the Wright brothers.
Interestingly enough, one of the reasons why I wanted to read this book is because I wanted to hear his views on Disneyland. After reading the book, however, the Disneyland chapter is by far the weakest. This is no fault of Zinsser's, however. The strength of this book is that he interviewed people. He talked to employees, town people, museum docents, etc. People who had witnessed thousands of people descend upon their towns or tourist sites. They had many stories to tell. Unfortunately with Disneyland, Zinsser was not granted anything. No interview, nothing. Typical Disney. When I worked there we were told to say, "No comment" to any journalist. What makes me sad was that Zinsser may have been there or been there right before I was hired on in '92 and I would have told him the same thing had he wanted to interview me. Disneyland, in this book, ends up very poorly represented in this book, almost as an afterthought.
Overall, the book was brilliant. After reading this I want to visit all of these places. I already know Disneyland though. Ha ha.
Interestingly enough, one of the reasons why I wanted to read this book is because I wanted to hear his views on Disneyland. After reading the book, however, the Disneyland chapter is by far the weakest. This is no fault of Zinsser's, however. The strength of this book is that he interviewed people. He talked to employees, town people, museum docents, etc. People who had witnessed thousands of people descend upon their towns or tourist sites. They had many stories to tell. Unfortunately with Disneyland, Zinsser was not granted anything. No interview, nothing. Typical Disney. When I worked there we were told to say, "No comment" to any journalist. What makes me sad was that Zinsser may have been there or been there right before I was hired on in '92 and I would have told him the same thing had he wanted to interview me. Disneyland, in this book, ends up very poorly represented in this book, almost as an afterthought.
Overall, the book was brilliant. After reading this I want to visit all of these places. I already know Disneyland though. Ha ha.
March 24, 2013
Very informative, Zinsser takes you to these places and makes you see them through his eyes.
October 23, 2008
917.32 Excellent travel accounts of famous American places by a good writer.
August 17, 2009
Very informative and enjoyable.
April 14, 2017
I learned some interesting things during this read, but, I found it all slightly too nationalistic and rushed through chapters on Disneyland and The Rockefeller Centre. I would have preferred to hear about the less touristy spots, I suppose, and Zinsser's prose left me a little cold.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews