Rolling Nowhere

Riding the Rails with America's Hoboes

By: Ted Conover

Narrated by: Ted Conover

"I crouched quietly in the patch of tall weeds. Around me fell the shadow of the viaduct that carried a highway over the railroad yards. From the edge of the yards, I squinted as I watched the railroad cars being switched from track to track. Cars and trucks were rolling over the viaduct, but what occupied my attention was the dark, cool corridor underneath it, where I hoped to intercept my train."

Riding the rails, Ted Conover tasted the life of a tramp with companions like Pistol Pete, BB, and Sheba Sheila Sheils. From them he learned survival skills - how to "read" a freight train, scavenge for food and clothing, avoid the railroad "bulls." He was initiated into the customs of their unique, shadowy society - men and women bound together by a mutual bond of failure, camaraderie, and distrust.

Sixty-five freight trains, 12,000 miles, and 15 states later, Conover chronicles his impressions of their lives in this fascinating piece of first-hand reporting that becomes a thoughtful story of self-discovery.

©2001 Ted Conover (P)2005 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Brilliant!

Great story written and told well. An American archeological dig in the most sociological manner.

Had potential, but fell short.

Like his other book, Newjack, Conover bravely puts himself into an interesting and potentially dangerous situation. But having read both books, I've arrived at the conclusion that Conover just isn't a very interesting guy.

Where a guy like Bill Bryson can make even a walk in the woods seem enthralling, Conover fails to make even the most intriguing adventures seem exciting, or in some cases, even interesting. Hate to say it, but he just strikes me as a fairly boring guy with mundane insight. While I give him much credit for having the courage to place himself in extraordinary situations, he somehow fails to do very much with them. Even his writing skills are rather bland and unremarkable.

I don't regret having read his books, per se, I just can't help but feel underwhelmed and a bit disappointed that he didn't do more with his opportunities.

Interesting Sociological Study

I found the book compelling, an honest attempt to engage with the hobo lifestyle and hobos.

so i glad i stumbled on this gem

exploration into the world of train hopping hobos and tramps that you never even knew existed

Extremely relevant

What a great story telling! This account of the authors experience riding the rails decades ago is no less relevant today as it was then. Incredible! Very insightful writing about a myriad of aspects of the life of living on the rails as a “tramp”.