Tom Hilpert says:

Greasy Rider lives up to the kind of expectation created by its clever name: it is an intelligent, funny and stimulating read. Melville is in the right profession all right: he has a way with words, and a knack for finding the humor and interest in real life situations that might otherwise appear to be boring.

I read the book as I considered not IF I should make my next vehicle one that runs on vegetable oil, but in fact, HOW I can do it. In that frame of mind, Mr Melville falls a bit short, in some rather surprising ways.

I can’t help thinking I would like Greg Melville if I met him at a Barbecue, or a party. His writing is refreshingly honest and entertaining. But it also reveals a particular kind of narrow mindedness that is neither stupid nor vindictive, but is almost a sort of naiveté. Bear with me, because what follows is truly relevant to the subject of the book.

Melville mentions Christian religious people a few brief times. Once it is a short conversation about how pious people are either hypocritical, or simply don’t believe in caring for the planet. Another time he describes an encounter with someone that can only be described as a “religious nut.” Melville doesn’t comment on this at length, other than to deride the man for his views on homosexuality, and leave us with the underlying message that religious folks are more or less all like that.

Several times he makes derogatory remarks about pot-bellied redneck sports fans, or hunters, or people who wear sunglasses on their hats. He contains himself admirably when it comes to Republicans, and conservatives in general, but he leaves us in no real doubt about what he thinks of such people. Certainly, while he limits the negativity, there are no positives mentioned in connection with that end of the political or social spectrum.

There are two things I wish to point out in connection with these things. First, had Melville made the same sorts of derogatory remarks about any group of people other than Christians and conservatives, he would be rightly accused of bigoted stereotyping. The exact same comments directed at say, blacks, or Jews or Hindus would be met with outrage.

The second thing is this: Melville concludes his book by saying we must all join together and work for change. And yet, these bigoted comments peppered throughout the book send a different message: “you are not welcome unless you behave and think like us.” In other words, the overall message is that the environmental movement is basically for liberals, and “everyone coming together” means not that people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs work for a common goal, but rather that everyone first become a liberal.

To be fair, I think Melville’s bigotry arises from sheer innocent ignorance. He probably just isn’t aware that there many people who are very different from him, and he probably doesn’t personally know too many who are. He reveals a bit of this in his comments about how perky and cheerful people seemed in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

I myself am a political conservative. I don’t think the government – either Republican or Democrat – has much of a talent for solving problems, and I think history is rather heavily on my side there. I am deeply convinced (for scholarly and intellectual, as well as spiritual reasons) of the truth of the Bible. Because of that, I am a social conservative as well. I also love to fish and hunt, watch football, and yes, I have a small pot belly. But I am also trying to find a way to do exactly what Melville has done – purchase an old diesel car and run it on vegetable oil, and move away from dependence upon fossil fuel. Even so, I doubt very much that I would be welcome in Greg Melville’s club. Apparently, he’d be afraid I would either try to convert him, or shoot him. I doubt he has considered that people like me could even exist.

Melville’s naiveté extends beyond political and social issues. He seemed to think that just about anyone ought to have the coin to pay $8,000 for a car and conversion kit, plus repairs, plus money and time to take a long road trip, staying in hotels, eating in restaurants, and shopping. In fact, he suggested that the $8,000 he paid for the car was “basically nothing.”

Gregg Melville also appears to ignore the evidence in front of his own eyes. He was inspired by the dynamic creators of Grease Car and Google, who have “swung for the fences.” He was disappointed by the insipid attitude of the government agency responsible for advancing alternative energies. And yet, in spite of his own experience, he seems to think that government action is the only way to really get things done.

Greasy Rider is well worth reading. It is stimulating and entertaining. However, it does not appear to be deeply considered at a logical, intellectual level. I’d love to see a second book where Melville engages in some challenges to overcome his prejudicial views and negative stereotypes, and finding ways to engage those who are different from himself, but are still interested in helping the environment.
Rating: 3 / 5

Sacramento Book Review says:

A book about a coast-to-coast drive might sound over done, but when you can do it on recycled cooking oil, that’s bound to draw some interest. And that’s exactly what Greg Melville did. From Vermont to California in a supped up 1985 Mercedes diesel station wagon driven on recyclable oil from restaurant dumpsters, him and his college buddy go on a cross country road trip to explore possible new ways of super green reusable fuel. From the green-friendly headquarters of Google to an environmentally safe Wal-Mart, these two college friends go an investigative adventure to figure out how to make this planet better.

While simultaneously making you bust a gut with laughter and considering ways to reduce your carbon footprint, this book is a must buy. Anyone can enjoy it, and if you and your friends all read it, maybe you can plan a road trip to help make this world a better place.

Reviewed by James Rojek
Rating: 4 / 5