What are most of Steinbeck’s books about?

John Steinbeck is one of America’s greatest writers. Many of his novels and short stories are about people with troubles and problems. "Travels with Charley" is different; it’s a book about traveling around the United States. John Steinbeck and Charley traveled together from New York to Maine and then to the Midwest.  From the Midwest, they went west to California. On their way back east, they visited Texas. Finally, John and Charley traveled through the South, and back up north to New York.
   John Steinbeck’s journey took three months to complete. When he got home, he wrote about what he saw and heard when he crossed the country. He decided that Americans were wonderful people, and that the United States was full of peaceful towns, great cities, huge mountains, and beautiful parks. Charley seemed to enjoy the trip, although he didn’t say or write anything. You might wonder why Charley had no ideas about America. The reason is: he was John Steinbeck’s dog, a big black dog.