At first I thought this book would explore various Americana along the road, as experienced from a trucker's point of view. But it is much more than that. It tells the life story of someone who will eventually become an elite trucker - moving people's (usually VIPs') belongings over long distances. So far, to me truckers were more or less the same: people who drive freight in trucks, no particular skill involved. (I had no idea that truckers of Murphy's caliber earned so much, for example.) I gained several insights into this business from a trucker's perspective, which is what I like.
In the beginning, Murphy come off a bit snobbish, but keep reading ... it's an interesting, honest story!
In the beginning, Murphy come off a bit snobbish, but keep reading ... it's an interesting, honest story!
Bonnie S. (Bonnie) -
I love memoirs, but am pretty sick of the battered child the abusing, drug-addicted, alcoholic, father, mother, mother's boyfriend. The bullying. This book is a breath of fresh air, funny as heck, and informative. Whodathunkit? A memoir written by a mover, a long haul trucker. What's to tell?
Oh, a lot. Did you know that there is a heirarchy in the trucking world and that movers are so far at the bottom that they will seldom sit at the counters of truck stops and that even waitresses treat them as something the cat dragged in? This is a tale of movers, the customer's, and how they try to rip off the company with damage claims, that usually the driver must make good on, even false claims. A story of packers and how they do it best, how they make the most money per round trip, the competition. Sooo interesting.
Another little treat in reading this is that a bit of a way in when I was already hooked, Murphy tells about his friendship with the owner of Joyce Movers out of Oxford, CT, and how he came to be affiliated with him. Joyce was twice our movers and we loved them! Everything Mr Murphy says about how careful they are with the house, the belongings, their writing up the condition of pieces is true. I've seen it twice and watched them sticker every item we owned down to an individual shovel, a basket, a garbage pail, and just yesterday pulled a 10 year old sticker off of the back of a bookcase I moved across the room.
Sadly, movers have the most complaints and worst reviews of most any other company that works with the public. Unfair, in my experience.
I highly recommend this book.
Oh, a lot. Did you know that there is a heirarchy in the trucking world and that movers are so far at the bottom that they will seldom sit at the counters of truck stops and that even waitresses treat them as something the cat dragged in? This is a tale of movers, the customer's, and how they try to rip off the company with damage claims, that usually the driver must make good on, even false claims. A story of packers and how they do it best, how they make the most money per round trip, the competition. Sooo interesting.
Another little treat in reading this is that a bit of a way in when I was already hooked, Murphy tells about his friendship with the owner of Joyce Movers out of Oxford, CT, and how he came to be affiliated with him. Joyce was twice our movers and we loved them! Everything Mr Murphy says about how careful they are with the house, the belongings, their writing up the condition of pieces is true. I've seen it twice and watched them sticker every item we owned down to an individual shovel, a basket, a garbage pail, and just yesterday pulled a 10 year old sticker off of the back of a bookcase I moved across the room.
Sadly, movers have the most complaints and worst reviews of most any other company that works with the public. Unfair, in my experience.
I highly recommend this book.
Elizabeth R. (esjro) -
4.5 stars
The Long Haul is a memoir of the author's career as a long haul trucker, specializing in corporate moves and relocations for wealthy clients. Most of the book is anecdotes about the characters he meets in the business, and there are many stories about difficult customers ("shippers.") There are plenty of insider tidbits about the moving industry, and it is fun to learn the slang that truckers speak. Most of the tales are funny, some are sad, and there is even a love scene (which I found a bit awkward).
I was interested in reading The Long Haul after hearing the author interviewed on Fresh Air. There is a gap in time that he spoke briefly about in that interview which filled in a section of the author's life that was missing in the book. Although he does discuss his parents' disapproval of his career choice, the book is very sunny in tone. I would have liked to have learned more about the author's challenges and struggles, as they surely influenced his professional path.
The Long Haul is a quick and fun read. It is the type of book that will drive your significant other nuts: "Honey, did you know that......"
The Long Haul is a memoir of the author's career as a long haul trucker, specializing in corporate moves and relocations for wealthy clients. Most of the book is anecdotes about the characters he meets in the business, and there are many stories about difficult customers ("shippers.") There are plenty of insider tidbits about the moving industry, and it is fun to learn the slang that truckers speak. Most of the tales are funny, some are sad, and there is even a love scene (which I found a bit awkward).
I was interested in reading The Long Haul after hearing the author interviewed on Fresh Air. There is a gap in time that he spoke briefly about in that interview which filled in a section of the author's life that was missing in the book. Although he does discuss his parents' disapproval of his career choice, the book is very sunny in tone. I would have liked to have learned more about the author's challenges and struggles, as they surely influenced his professional path.
The Long Haul is a quick and fun read. It is the type of book that will drive your significant other nuts: "Honey, did you know that......"
