Rating: 
Summary: Engaging in Parts
Review: I have thoroughly enjoyed Bryson's other books, and found myself laughing every few pages in this one, but maybe I'm getting accustomed to his style, as I didn't find this as satisfying, page for page, as his other efforts. I think perhaps his lack of familiarity with the country left him reporting his findings more than commenting on them, and it's his commentary that is so engaging. the book had more history and descriptions, and I wanted the wise cracks!
Rating: 
Summary: It certainly is a VERY interesting country
Review: ..and that's all Bill is saying, with his customary accessible erudition and likeable humour. As an ex-Pom, now besotted with this interesting country, I read it aloud to my (African) husband sitting on a patch of beautiful coastline in Sydney. We were vastly entertained and informed. We hugged ourselves with glee anew at having discovered some of what Bill discovered, and were inspired to discover the (much) more we have not. We put it on our present list for all our US and UK friends who still don't understand why we are here. We hope Bill comes back and writes some more, as he so clearly wanted to.Read this book and I defy anybody with more than a modicum of adventure in their soul not to want to explore this VERY interesting country.
Rating: 
Summary: Australia made interesting
Review: Bill Bryson has a extraordinary narative sense and he has the ability to make potentially dull subjects exciting. In this most recent book he gives us the guided tour of Australia, it's scenic and adventurous side, and also it's mysterious side. I feel I learned a lot from this book and it certainly was fun to read. I would recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: The Road to Recovery
Review: After the nadir of "A Walk in the Woods" this book continues Bill Bryson's recovery that started with "I'm a Stranger Here Myself". While not matching "The Lost Continent" or "Notes from a Small Island" on occasions it comes close.Bryson retains his obvious affection for the people and places he writes about, and there are a few of the laugh out loud moments that made "Notes From a Small Island" such a hazardous read in public places. Otherwise it's fairly droll, and as so often with such books, tells us as much about the author as the ostensible subject of his books. Trouble is, by now regulars know the author pretty well and that particular subject is beginning to pall. Such quibbles aside, this book is still better than the vast majority of similar writings, and can be recommended. Just one question though. Why didn't he title it by the accurate quote which he himself notes should be "In a Sunburnt Country"? Too archaic for our American cousins?
Rating:
Summary: Bestt Bryson Book YET!
Review: This book is awesome, especially for those who like bryson or have an interest in australia. The entire book is done in Bryson's classical sarcism that we have all come to love. A must read for everyon!
Rating:
Summary: Another Bryson winner
Review: I am an unreserved Bryson fan. I love "Made In America" about the English language, and, as an Australian living in England for an extended time, thought he captured perfectly both the expat experience, and the endearing and irritating qualities of the Brits in "Notes from a small island" . This book is factually correct. That might sound inane, but there is nothing more irritating than reading about your own place and finding it tritely stereotypical or factually incorrect. Bill scores well on both counts. Bill's take on the Australian Prime Minister of the day (a small, invisible and colourless entity) is a reasonably brave thing to say in a sense - an outsider commenting on a political identity invites derision, but he captures the essence of the man so well. The other special moment for me is his discovery of cricket on the radio...when all other stations fade out to static, there is the mighty game. Somehow or other, despite writing nonsense words, he captures the rhythm and cadences of radio cricket commentary PERFECTLY. To me, cricket on the radio is as much about summer as cicadas, running under the sprinkler and crackling heat. Beautifully pulled off! A good read, and for the first time since leaving school I actually engaged with some of the stories of explorers! A wry but never cynical tone makes for an entertaining read. I am glad he pays "homage" to that other good 'outsider's book' - "Sydney" by Jan Morris. Bill Bryson covers much of the same terrain as the other great US travel writer, Paul Theroux, and seems to meet as many odd or intersting characters. Bill's disposition, however, makes him far more open to LIKING a place, and enormously less self-absorbed. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The same but different
Review: I started this book with some trepidation. On the one hand I wanted it to be like his previous books, on the other I didn't want it just to be an Australia flavoured version of "Notes from a Small Island". I was very pleased on both counts. From the way he writes it is very easy to believe that's how it would be if you were to make the same journey. The book portrays the places he visits in a very realistic way. Too often travel writers romanticise the places they visit so much that they deliver a work of fiction but not here. It may be better to read the book after you've been to Australia than before. In that way you can join in with him in a "Yep. Been there, done that. That happened to me too." sort of way, rather than go there and find out out he's already taken you. Even if you've no intention of going there, it's still very much worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Throw Another Bryson On The Barbie, Mate.......
Review: Having been a Bill Bryson fan for the last 10 years, I couldn't wait for the latest Bryson offering. Did "In A Sunburned Country" make me laugh out loud? Nah. Not like "The Lost Continent" did. Now THAT was a side splitter. The odd chortle here & there is the best I could muster whilst reading "Sunburned". But, a travel book does not have to be a rollicking riot of laughs to be a success. But it does have to give an informative, balanced view of the country in question. Which "In A Sunburned Country" does not. Contrary to popular opinion, we do not all live in the outback with the 'roos & emus. The majority of Australians live in the major cities, more at home with hailing a taxi than fondling a wombat. I feel Bryson should have spent much more time in the cities, to give a truly balanced view of Australia. And too many history lessons contained in this book. Stop already! If I want to read Australian history I will sink my teeth into the "The Fatal Shore". I don't need history crammed down my throat in a travel book. When it comes to Bill Bryson I want savage asides, blinding wit, & informative titbits about the country in question. Not an unbalanced, rural view of a country that does NOT have constant sunshine! Melbourne in winter is not pleasant. And speaking of chilly places in winter, poor Tasmania barely rates a mention! A truly beautiful place, well worth a visit. I await Bill Bryson's next book with interest. May he rediscover his acerbic wit in the meantime.
Rating: 
Summary: Perfect example of how not to write a travel book....
Review: I'm sorry, as an American living in Australia right now, I have to dissent from the other reviewers here and point out what a lazy, disappointing book this is. Bryson does an excellent job of reading about Australia, and keeps showing us scenes of himself reading, but he doesn't actually get off his duff much and do any real reporting himself. He tries to cover an enormous country in quick trips between or around other things--such as book touring--and as a result rarely penetrates the surface, and develops no narrative at all. How can you write intelligently about Uluru/Ayers Rock after a visit of only two hours (and none at all to the nearby and equally spectacular Olgas)? How can you write about Aborigines when you never bother to actually speak to one? It's not as if any of this is hard: Australians, including Aborigines, are among the most approachable, and quoteable, people on earth. Instead, we keep hearing about Bryson: what he pays for motel rooms, what witty remarks he makes to his mate, what he's read. I'm afraid the once-engaging Bryson has gotten too big and dull for his britches.
Rating:
Summary: Of Droughts and Flooding Rains
Review: Being both an owner of every Bill Bryson book in print, and a patriotic Australian, I couldn't believe my luck when I found this book had come out. I currently live in the USA, so it was interesting to see an Americans point of view on Australia. Bryson's insightful views on the country avoid stereotypical characterisation of the people and places, and he mixes his accurate and always relevant research perfectly. I learned things about Australia that I didn't even know, and being one of those much discussed Australians who first see the world before even regarding travel in their own country I realise how much of my own country I have ignored. In my opinion, this is better than 'Walk in the woods', which I found drifting and aimless in sections. 'In a sunburned country' nearly heads in the same direction, but saves itself with constant changes in scenery and the method with which he covered the country. Maybe I am biased because of the subject matter, but it is a great read. If you are going there, get the book and read it on the plane. You'll get a much better understanding of what the country has to offer than by reading a guidebook to Sydney. And, Bill, if you are reading, thanks for not mentioning Fosters, Paul Hogan or 'Shrimps on the Barbie' even once.
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