We got this nifty book to review way back at the beginning of the school year, but I saved it for this month because we’ve been studying machines.  This is a great book for reading during a study of machines or the westward movement (which we’re actually just starting into) or the Industrial Revolution or WWI or WWII or modern times.  Or all of the above.  Why?  It follows the history of land transportation in the U.S. over the years.

Just Fine the Way They Are: From Dirt Roads to Rail Roads to Interstates covers just what you’d expect it to.  As each new modernization comes along, there are always those who balk at the improvements, believing that things are “just fine the way they are.”  But, of course, modernization comes along, anyway, and it eventually becomes mainstream.  Then comes the next development and, once again, things “are just fine the way they are.”

I actually learned some things through this book, myself.  I didn’t know that interstates didn’t come about until the 1940’s – and were primarily installed because they allowed military personnel to travel throughout the country more quickly.

The writing style is a lot of fun, too.  The wording is such that it’s really fun to read aloud in a somewhat “country” or “backwoods” accent.  At each stage of development there is also the mention of children watching the… (wagons, or train, or whatever) and dreaming of what they will do or be when they grow up.  This adds an interesting dimension of imagination to the text.

It’s very up-to-date, making mention toward the end of cars that run on electricity or corn.  And it keeps current – and engages the imagination even more – by being open-ended.  Maybe someday we won’t need cars that run on anything, because we’ll have other, better ways to get around.  Then again, why would we?  Things are just fine the way they are.

Disclosure: I was provided by the publisher with a copy of the book to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.