BOOK REVIEWS
Down Under Bill Bryson 2001 ISBN 978-0-5529970-3-4
“ Australia is an interesting place . It truly is .” Wrote Bill Bryson in his 2000 assessment of Australia , Down Under , and while it might now be over 20 years old most of what the fabled travel writer wrote still holds true .
Bryson takes a planes , trains , and automobile trip to Australia ’ s major centres , examining how they came about and the interesting aspects of each , mixed with political observations and history . It ’ s compelling reading in the selfdeprecating manner that Bryson is famous for however , it ’ s the lesser known and unusual facts that keeps the reader turning the page .
A travel writer that most should start with when wanting to know how to engage the reader Bryson ’ s style is energetic and to the point yet keeps the interest at levels that most struggle with , Down Under is an example of this and for someone who has been to every place mentioned in this book it ’ s still easy to learn something new .
Is Down Under Bryson ’ s best work ? Probably not , but it is still something that must be read , reread , and read again , even if you are an Australian . And regardless of whether you are you will finish Down Under thinking , ‘ wow , Australia is a big , empty place , that is full of weird shit ’.
Down Under , still mostly relevant after 20 years of service and although not a motorcycling book , it is a perfect example of how travelling and writing should be done .
back Roads Of Spain Duncan Gough 2017 ISBN 978-0-9957454-0-7
Outstanding ! Back Roads Of Spain , Spanish Adventures On A Moto Guzzi Centauro was Duncan Gough ’ s first published book of his travels through Spain , covering a ten-year span .
Packed with stories of his earlier exploration of the Iberian Peninsula Back Roads Of Spain has a little for everyone , stories that will make you laugh , cry , and even wonder why .
Gough has a unique writing style that is engaging and not pretentious yet will have you pulling out a map and wanting your own Spanish adventure , it even had us checking out the web to find pictures of the bird life mentioned in the book , you see Gough is an avid birdwatcher . He combines this love with that of motorcycle travel to produce beautifully written anecdotes of his adventures .
As well as the descriptive examples of architecture , landscapes , cultures and people , Gough includes a little philosophical examination to generate thought provocation whilst not taking himself or the thought of motorcycle travel too seriously . It ’ s a wonderful way of including the reader and works well enough to have you power through Back Roads Of Spain in an hour or so , then flip back to page one and start again . And like travel , you ’ ll find things you hadn ’ t discovered first time around .
If you ’ re heading to Spain , or even if you ’ re not , Back Roads Of
Spain is a must .
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