This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Rollie Erickson is an artist whose paintings have been exhibited nationally and abroad. His work has been reproduced in various catalogs and in Art in America, 1984–85 Guide to Galleries, Museums, Artists. He is the founder of Wordimage, a single-issue magazine that explored text-imagery as well as contemporary surrealist poetry. In 2017, he published Night Palaces, his first book of poetry. His poetry has also appeared in: Asheville Poetry Review, Art/Life, and O!! Zone.
Rollie has a BFA from Purchase College SUNY and an MLIS in library studies from The University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Gentleman of the Road: A Hitchhiking Memoir of the 1970s is his first book of prose.
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Gentleman of the Road: A Hitchhiking Memoir of the 1970s by Rollie Erickson is a captivating journey through a vibrant and transformative era. Erickson brings to life his adventures across America’s open roads with a blend of nostalgia, humor, and poignant reflection. Set against the backdrop of the 1970s counterculture, this memoir immerses readers in a world where hitchhiking was not only a means of transportation but also a way to explore the depths of human connection and self-discovery.
One of the book's strengths is Rollie Erickson’s introspective approach. The memoir is not just a recounting of physical travels but a reflection on a young man’s emotional and psychological journey navigating life’s uncertainties. Erickson recounts his interactions with fellow travelers with authenticity. The memoir is rich with vivid descriptions of the landscapes he traverses, from bustling cityscapes to the serene, often challenging rural expanses. The writing style is engaging, pulling readers into the unpredictability of life on the road, where each ride could bring new friendships or unexpected dangers. The book is filled with the era’s culture, and Erickson presents it as he lived it. From “thumbing” to “tripping” and all the radical slang, Gentleman of the Road is a trip down memory lane that anchors the memoir in its time. Erickson captures the essence of a generation seeking freedom from societal norms. His story offers a glimpse into a time when life was simpler yet filled with endless possibilities. It’s a heartfelt homage to the road, the freedom it promises, and the invaluable lessons it imparts.
