Rating: 
Summary: As delightful as the country it reviews
Review: What a charming work by Bill Bryson! I had thoroughly enjoyed Walk in the Woods, then been utterly disappointed to go back and read Lost Continent. It helps that Bryson is utterly captivated by the land which he describes here. The mean spiritedness that characterizes much of Lost Continent (& from what I have seen of otherr reviews, some of his other work as well) is almost entirely absent here. His description of each corner of the continent, which he traveled quite exhaustively, is at once wide-eyed and humorous. I guess I must agree with the one negative review that I have seen that it is too bad he did not include Tasmania, & that he did not spend any time talking to aboriginal people. But I cannot find it in me to give this thoroughly pleasant, informative, & humorous book anything less than 5 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining and Insightful
Review: In a Sunburned Country is combines comical anecdotes with historical informaiton. Although less kneeslappingly funny than "A Walk in the Woods" it is a solid account of Australia. By all accounts, Bill Bryson is all praise for Australia, and as a result the humor is less cutting and sarcastic than it is in some of his other novels. I would suggest waiting for this book to come out in paperback before purchasing it. It is hilarious in parts and extremely informative in others. It's a solid pick for lovers of travel literature [or Bill Bryson].
Rating: 
Summary: I'm offended he didn't bother talking to Aboriginies
Review: Lazy lazy! How can Bryson dare having an opinion on Aboriginies when he doesn't take the time to talk to one of them. He doesn't bother visiting Tasmania or Brisbane therefore his journey cannot be complete... Oppose to his previous literary works I find this one a lazy boring unispiring read. His sense of humour is gone as well. I wish he didn't hurry so much to meet his publishing deadline.
Rating:
Summary: Next best thing to being there
Review: Having thoroughly enjoyed two extended visits to Australia over the past several years, it was with much anticipation that picked up this book. I was not to be disappointed. Bryson takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of the Great Southern Land, and masterfully captures the spirit of both the people and the place, and in doing so, accurately conveys what makes Australia such an endearing destination. His humorous anecdotes are laugh out loud funny, and inject much levity into this fascinating and fact filled adventure. Having traveled many of the same routes that Bryson does here, this book transported me back to those places, and for a few hours each evening I was there again. Witty, informative and thoroughly entertaining, In a Sunburned Country is a compelling read not only for Australiaphiles like myself, but for all those who enjoy a well written and truly diverting book.
Rating:
Summary: The Dirt On Down Under
Review: As Bill Bryson notes in his excellent In A Sunburned Country, Australia is a vast, mysterious place to most of the world. Even native Australians are unaware of many of the treasures in their country. Mr. Bryson takes us on a magical journey through the land down under, moving between major cities like Sydney & Melbourne to remote Outback posts like Alice Springs. Through it all he relays interesting stories about the country including its origins as a penal colony, its government, the incredible assortment of deadly creatures that live there, the men who first explored the dangerous Outback and other great stories too numerous to list. We also get Mr. Bryson's personal anecdotes and stories of his trip that are always humorous and many times insightful. Being that it takes 26 hours by plane to reach Australia, most of us probably won't get the chance to visit the country or if we ever do, we won't have the time to explore its vastness. In lieu of personally seeing it all, Bill Bryson vividly brings the country to us through this first rate book.
Rating:
Summary: From an Aussie's eyes - its wonderful!
Review: A fantastic book - as an Aussie I can only say its all true and I personally could not have explained Australia, its culture, weird /wonderful ways and predators any better! Its wonderfully written and all so true! Bill Bryson brings it all across so well - my only problem was keeping my laughter down to a minimum on my morning and evening treks (by train) to work when reading this book as I beat off the moths ....
Rating:
Summary: Pack Your Bags
Review: This is a fascinating look at one of the most misunderstood places on the planet. You will want to pack your bags after reading Bryson's hilariously informative account of our neighbors Down Under. The Australians should be glad Mr. Bryson has flattered them (except in Macksville, where they probably hang him in effigy). He makes each decidedly different region come magically alive for the reader and you truly feel you are in the scorching Outback or strolling down the sun-dappled streets in Adelaide. My throat literally hurt from laughing at Bryson's descriptions of a hotel encounter with a snippy clerk in Darwin, another hotel literally thousands of miles from anywhere with the tub looking "actively infectious" and the lively, crude exchange between government officials in Australia's Parliament.(Our politicians have nothing on these guys.) His encounters with the decidedly nasty wildlife of Australia is priceless. I didn't know seashells could chase you. My friend in Melbourne learned alot he had never even imagined about his native country. I can't wait to read the book again, preferably on Qantas heading to Australia.
Rating:
Summary: More things that will bite ...
Review: In A Sunburned Country makes it seems as if Australia has more things that will bite or sting you, with fatal results, than any other place on earth. And, although Bill Bryson doesn't mention it, Australia even has a toad that will make you crazy if you lick it. But you'd have to be crazy in the first place, to lick a toad, wouldn't you? You don't have to be crazy to buy In A Sunburned Country, though. It's as funny as his other stuff. Maybe even funnier.
Rating:
Summary: Not as funny as usual
Review: The four stars are because its Bill Bryson. His other books were maybe not as informative but they were much funnier. Perhaps he was there too long or there was too much to write about. Since we shall be going to Australia in the Summer I was glad to have had this overview but I really missed his humour which was not on every page as is the norm.
Rating:
Summary: I Wanna go now! Well....maybe not...
Review: The best thing about Mr. Bryson's stories are the voice in which he tells them. He is witty, a good researcher, and a lover of travel. Which is why most readers who loved his 'A Walk In The Woods" book, will love this one as well. The book takes you through Mr. Bryson's journey(s) through Australia (as if you couldn't tell that from the cover). His description of the country in phenomenal. Obviously, Sydney and Perth are cities to be visited should I ever choose to go to the 'land down under.' They are beautiful and unique in their own special ways and this author helps us see them (from multiple standpoints: agricultural, wilderness settings, political, and population). Traveling through the outback seemed a bit dangerous to me. When Mr. Bryson set out in his four wheel drive (which he explains the function of in hilarious detail), it seems a bit foolish. But the hijinks are well deserved as the travel continues. Of course swimming takes a certain amount of skill, and bravery, in Australia. The box jellyfish sounds like a small monster and the number of shark attacks are disquieting to say the least. Mr. Bryson's experience with boogy boarding is an absolute joy to read and I'm sure that it took him many days to recover from the wounds to his body and pride. All in all, this is a very well written non-fiction novel with just the right amount of information, comedy, and caring that such a country as Australia deserves.
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