Search - In a Sunburned Country

I LOVED this book. I have never laughed out loud so much and learned so much (and also been moved by social injustices) all in one book.

If you only read one travel book in your life, make it this one.

There *might* be more educational ones, but none can be as entertaining. There *might* be funnier ones, but none could teach you as much at the same time.

I stumbled onto Bill Bryson a couple of years ago and really enjoyed A Walk in the Woods, so I decided to get a copy of this book. As good as A Walk was, this was even better! There were passages that had me laughing so hard I was afraid of waking up my sleeping husband. Passges that I found so funny that I read them to my loved ones - sometimes more than once (oops!) What I like about Bryson is his passion, his quirky sense of humor, and his ability to throw in tons of useful knowledge and not make you feel overwhelmed by it. He makes some profound points about important issues without getting preachy but rather so simply you wonder how there's ever been any debate on that particular matter. He notices things that I would likely overlook - and then shows me how much I would have missed by doing so. I love that he is a lover of people and a deliberate loner BOTH at the same time. This book made me take a long hard look at whether or not my ambition to go to Australia is such a good idea - and at the same time made me wish I was already there. I HIGHLY reccomend this book!

Australia really is a very, very different country. Another great mix of history, information, wit and humor. GReat descriptions of the people and culture of Oz. And after all, the worst sunburn of my life was in Australia so I think it is a very fitting title.

'ave a go at this one mate!

I first read Bill Bryson in Granta. It was one chapter from his book 'The Lost Continent.' Very funny. It was enough to keep me reading to this day. Most people know Bryson from 'A Walk in the Woods.' Also very funny. Byson loves to research the esoteric and his travels are informative but it's his dry humor that makes his books most fun. This is one of his more enjoyable books.

Bill is in Australia. He rents a car and drives long stretches of Aussie highway, catches a train across the more remote outback and bums around the beach with some connections he's made in the city. His travels are mostly solitary, this fits, he is living the journey of an explorer of the vast outback.

Recommended. Australia is calling.

Absolutely hilarious and fascinating! This book made me want to move to quirky ol' Australia, except that I recently read in National Geographic that the Australians are working just as hard as the rest of the world to destroy their rather large expanse of the planet. I'd at least like to visit, though.

I have read a few of Bill Bryson's books but found this one to be the most enjoyable.

It is a travelogue with a touch of humor which made me want to travel the country and meet the people. In my view he truly loves Australia and it shows.

For me it is one of the very few books that I intend to re-read in the future.