Steinbeck grew up in the Monterey County farm town of Salinas and based much of his work on the land and people of California. Nowhere in the United States is there an author to rival him in his portrayal of a region (William Faulkner comes closest). His books were not only critically acclaimed, but wildly popular bestsellers also, and several have been made into classic movies.

John Steinbeck's Novels of California

East of Eden

In Dubious Battle

The Log From the Sea of Cortez (more)

Tortilla Flat

Sweet Thursday

Cannery Row

The Grapes of Wrath

Of Mice and Men

The Wayward Bus

The Long Valley

The Pastures of Heaven

More Steinbeck

The Moon is Down

The Winter of Our Discontent

Zapata

Cup of Gold: A Life of Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, With Occasional Reference to History

Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights

Once There Was a War

To a God Unknown

The Pearl

Movies Based on Steinbeck's Books

Cannery Row (1982), starring Nick Nolte, Debra Winger (VHS)

East of Eden (1955), starring James Dean, Raymond Massey (VHS)

The Grapes of Wrath (1940), starring Henry Fonda (VHS)

Of Mice and Men (1992), starring Gary Sinise, John Malkovich (VHS)

Tortilla Flat (1942), starring Spencer tracy, Hedy Lamarr (VHS)

Viva Zapata (1952), starring Marlon Brando, Anthony Quinn, directed by Elia Kazan (VHS)