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I spent last semester studying in Australia. This book gave me a great overview of where I wanted and didn't want to visit in Australia without having to read through a dry tour book.
Bill Bryson gave an enlightening history and geography lesson on Australia. His presentation on Australian history taught us things we didn't know and certainly were not taught in school. My family and I who were born in Australia have seen many of the locations Bill has spoken of. His sense of humor captures the real Australian attitude on life. Despite the in depth description of the people, the attitudes, the dangers, the vastness, and the challenges written in his book, the audio version is even funnier and interesting with his feelings demonstrated with humor in his voice. Intoxicated or sober Bill was true to how Australia is and lives.well done.
Mr Bryson has the unique ability to leave the reader with a desire to experience those places he has been to. His often humorous observationsmake for an entertaining read. Sprinkled with history and some of the personalities that make up that history, he covers an amazing amount ofgeography on this wonderful and somewhat remote continent. I don't believe anyone would be disappointed with this book and I feel that it isamong those that should be read before a trip to Oz.
In this installment of travel writing, Bryson shares with the reader his love of and fascination with the island/country/continent of Australia. Anecdotes ranging from his intense fascination with all creatures and flora capable of killing him in this empty space, to the often friendly but occasionally confusing encounters with the residents of the outback's small towns provide amusing insight into his adventures and the clues to understanding why he loves the country so much.This is my third Bryson book, and my second audiobook, and I think I prefer the audiobook format. There is something about his delivery.so dry and matter-of-fact.that just helps to enhance the hilarity of his storytelling. His voice really enabled me to imagine the odd situations he found himself in, and I felt that I was sitting at a dinner table swapping tall tales rather than just listening to someone read words on paper.I've long wanted to visit Australia myself, and though I don't have the same fascination with the crocodiles or box jellyfish that he seems to, listening to the stories had me rushing to Google image animals and trees mentioned so that I could picture it better and dream of when I might see them for myself.
One way to achieve such cutting-edge style and perception is to talk to the local residents along the way, which Bryson does so wittingly. Bill Bryson has done it again.Not only an amusing frolic around and in Australia, but also a very insightful historical dabble into this somewhat forgotten "planet". Good stories.Although one may never have travel plans to Australia, the pages herein will ideate how interesting, exciting and attractive this country is, especially from this point of view. Bryson travels by train and car digging up meaningful and significant events from years gone by to present times. Former explorers, Aborigines, modern-day city life, the wind swept big-empty of the Outback, flora and fauna, Australian oddities, even some things Aussies are not aware of, he has skillfully put together a wonderful travel book. A talented, fun read.
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