John Steinbeck

On this day forty years ago, John Steinbeck died in New York. He had a long and varied career as an American writer, but was best known for his Great Depression era novel, The Grapes of Wrath. I know the film and story line very well, but must confess that I have never read the book from cover to cover. In high school, Of Mice and Men was required reading, and I found great pleasure in reading Travels With Charley: In Search of America on my own shortly after its publication in 1962.

Steinbeck was among the best of participant-observers of 20th century America, in general, and the California experience, in particular. His work earned him a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962. These days, I don't think students - and teachers - of American history and culture give him the credit and attention he deserves. Perhaps I should be satisfied knowing that history is still taught in the public schools, but that's another essay for another day.

If you don't know Steinbeck or want to know more, start with an electronic visit to the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, California. If you find yourself near Monterey Bay, the center is a "must see," as is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The aquarium, located on a site made famous in his novel, Cannery Row, is a world-class exhibit of the marine biology Steinbeck enjoyed and studied. Better yet, just pick up one of his books and turn another page of what it means to be an American.