
Travels with Vamper
A Graybeard's Journey
by
George Critchlow
Genre/s
Biography / Memoir
Publish Date
December 12, 2017
Short Description
A chronicle of a retired professor's roadtrip into America's heartland during the 2016 Presdidential campaign. The author fuses geography, culture, history, politics, and people into a cohesive story that informs, charms, and surprises.
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Book's Awards
Description
This is a story about Critchlow's solo two-month journey into Middle America to celebrate his retirement and reflect on life, culture, and the past. It is a real journey -- through the West, the Bible Belt, and Missouri River country -- in Vamper, Critchlow's affectionate name for his 1999 Ford Coachmen camper van. But it is also about Critchlow's life journey, about race, religion, the environment, and a divided America in the age of Donald Trump. Critchlow weaves together people, places, historical anecdotes, political observations, legal tales, and personal history in a way that helps explain the competing narratives in American society today. His journey also tells us something about how a baby boomer might look back and look forward as he moves into his senior years and faces the challenge of retirement.
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Reviews Of The Book On BooksShelf
An engaging, immersive portrait of a man reconnecting with the world and with himself. There’s a richness to the storytelling that makes every town, memory, and conversation feel alive. You can feel the road, the uncertainty, the small joys. A very satisfying read.
This is the kind of travel memoir that sneaks up on you. You start thinking you’re here for the roads and landscapes, but you stay for the wisdom, the humor, and the quiet emotional punches. It feels authentic, unpolished in the best way, and very human.
What really struck me was the generosity of spirit in these pages. The author reflects on his past with honesty and tenderness, and the present-day journey ties it all together. It’s reflective without being slow, personal without being self-indulgent. A wonderful companion for anyone in a transitional stage of life.
A beautiful, thoughtful read. The writing has that rare mix of warmth and sharp observation that makes even small moments feel meaningful. I especially enjoyed the way he explores aging, identity, and freedom without ever sounding heavy-handed. It’s the kind of book that lingers.
This book feels like sitting by a campfire with someone who has actually lived. The reflections are honest, layered, sometimes funny, sometimes unexpectedly deep. I loved how the author moves between memory and the open road with such ease. It made me want to slow down, look around, and reconsider what a “life chapter” really means.







