Deliciously funny, fact-filled and adventurous, In a Sunburned Country takes us on a grand tour of Australia. It's a place where interesting things happen all the time, from a Prime Minister lost -- yes, lost -- while swimming at sea, to Japanese cult members who may (entirely unnoticed) have set off an atomic bomb on their 500,000 acre property in the great western desert. Australia is the only island that is also a continent, and the only continent that is also a country. Its aboriginal people, a remote and mysterious ...
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Deliciously funny, fact-filled and adventurous, In a Sunburned Country takes us on a grand tour of Australia. It's a place where interesting things happen all the time, from a Prime Minister lost -- yes, lost -- while swimming at sea, to Japanese cult members who may (entirely unnoticed) have set off an atomic bomb on their 500,000 acre property in the great western desert. Australia is the only island that is also a continent, and the only continent that is also a country. Its aboriginal people, a remote and mysterious race with a tragic history, have made it their home for millennia. And despite the fact that it is the most desiccated, infertile and climatically aggressive of all inhabited continents, it teems with life. In fact, Australia has more things that can kill you in extremely nasty ways than anywhere else: sharks, crocodiles, the planet's ten most deadly poisonous snakes, fluffy yet toxic caterpillars, sea shells that actually attack you, and the unbelievable box jellyfish (don't ask). The dangerous riptides of the sea and the sun-baked wastes of the outback both lie in wait for the unwary. Australia is an immense and fortunate land, and it has found in Bill Bryson its perfect guide. In a Sunburned Country offers the best of all possible introductions to what may well be the best of all possible nations. Even with those jellyfish.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
What an entertaining fun book!! I liked it a lot, not only is full of funny anecdotes but also very educational for people like me who has not been to Australia but now wants to go badly, great job Mr. Bryson
Gordon P E
Aug 29, 2014
Should include sunscreen...
Another Bryson epic! It would take an author of his literary talent and wicked sense of humour to do justice to a country as vast and complex as Aus.
He clearly has a deep affection for the place, the natural environment, the people and the social scene. His vivid descriptions carry the reader along beside him, chuckling at his comments all the way. Great stuff...!
CRaivios
Feb 24, 2011
Another tome by my favorite nutcase
I loved A Walk in the Woods. When I began planning a trip to Australia, I had to buy this book.
Bryson may have done too much driving and not enough reporting about the areas of Australia he was writing about, but I could not stop laughing.
Whether or not you are planning a trip to the only country + continent in the world, it is worth reading. I am now planning to read the rest of his books.
althemadpoet
Dec 3, 2009
Makes me want to go to Australia all the more. Very funny in spots - very interesting in others - makes you realize just how big Australia really is
Teal99
Jun 25, 2009
Australian Outback
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale in large part due to my wanting to go to Australia. Bryson makes you feel like you are there sweating away the outback with him. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in travel and Australia.
