They make strange noises. They belch smoke. There are far too many of them. But from the very beginning, we have always been crazy about our cars. In this visual love song to a much-maligned part of our lives, Maxwell Newhouse gives us a whimsical, quirky, and very personal history of the cars he adores.

In the early days, cars were primarily a source of recreation. They shared unpaved roads with horses and wagons, and when they ran out of gas — which was often because there were few gas stations — horses had to pull them home. Driving mania soon began to shape the landscape. Cars begat gas stations, which sparked the popularity of family camping, going to the drive-in, and fast food. They even spawned bridges so that people could ford rivers in the comfort of their cars.

Maxwell Newhouse has captured their spirit perfectly. Even now, when we all try to walk, use public transit, or ride bikes, there is still something thrilling in the cry, “Let’s go for a ride!”