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reading (In A Sunburned Country)
Oct. 4th, 2008 12:39 pmI finished Bill Bryson's "In A Sunburned Country" yesterday morning in the waiting room. It's a combination history and travel book. I enjoyed the mixture of fact and travelogue, although there were times when length of historical background made me forget where it fit into the travel. I'd end up with a "where was I?" moment when I found myself back in the present day.
First off, let me say I'm as ignorant about Australia as the next American. I can't vouch for the accuracy or fairness of this book at all. A lot of the bits appear well researched and often Bryson will say things are fuzzy rather than leave something as an absolute. For me that instills more confidence in the historical bits he relates.
Bryson is a creature of his environment and pounds the drums of liberal society and environmental advocacy fairly regularly. I don't disagree with his views, and the history of Australia provides so much opportunity to point out where people and the environment have been abused. But sometimes it sounded like he was playing the beat on the carcass of the horse.
This book does serve the normal travelogue role of making you want to see the place. But it's more than just that. It's story and history and humor. As such it's useful and readable even if you haven't booked your flight yet.
48. Bill Bryson "In A Sunburned Country"
First off, let me say I'm as ignorant about Australia as the next American. I can't vouch for the accuracy or fairness of this book at all. A lot of the bits appear well researched and often Bryson will say things are fuzzy rather than leave something as an absolute. For me that instills more confidence in the historical bits he relates.
Bryson is a creature of his environment and pounds the drums of liberal society and environmental advocacy fairly regularly. I don't disagree with his views, and the history of Australia provides so much opportunity to point out where people and the environment have been abused. But sometimes it sounded like he was playing the beat on the carcass of the horse.
This book does serve the normal travelogue role of making you want to see the place. But it's more than just that. It's story and history and humor. As such it's useful and readable even if you haven't booked your flight yet.
48. Bill Bryson "In A Sunburned Country"
