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Summary: Down Under - what a blast!
Review: As an Australian I greatly looked forward to Bill Bryson's latest book - and I was not disappointed. Although by his own admission he cannot cover anywhere near the whole continent of Australia he does his best to give the reader a mouth watering overview of all the mainland states & territories.Whether it is about train rides through Western Australia or boat trips to the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Bryson's style describes them is such a way they make you seem to be there. Mixed in with this is a miniture history lesson about many of the places he visits. He seemed to known more about Australia (I am ashamed to say) than myself as an Australian! While reading this book I found myself in tears of laughter (and at one point unable to breath I was laughing so hard) at some of the stories he managers to tell. This is what I have always found so good about Brysons style - he can turn a simple observation into something you can laugh about for weeks. In the end the book does trail of quite quickly though, so I can only hope that means he will be back some time in the future to provide more of his wonderfull insights.
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Summary: The best kind of travel book
Review: Outstanding travel book! The closest you can get to touring Australia without actually going there. Bill Bryson manges to touch all of your emotions and to get you totally involved with his adventure. He has the talent to make you laugh out loud with pure enjoyment. A non-stop read that leaves you looking forward to his next book.
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Summary: In a Sunburned Country
Review: I agree with Nathan Joyce from Brisbane - particularly his closing statement. In simple terms: If you are not living in Australia you are camping out.
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Summary: Down under? Yip!
Review: G'day. I'm Australian myself, and an avid reader of Bryson's travel books- all are, to say the least, very funny, and give one an amazing insight to countries far away. To you Americans/Europeans/Britons/Other, Australia is, is Bryson observes, horridly unexplored, unknown (except for Kangaroos and beer), and far, far away. But honestly, to live here is wonderful. It's a whole world that you all need to discover. I've seen very little of it myself, though I know what lies in my backyard. It's great, and Bryson sums it up perfectly in this little beauty of a book. It's about time the rest of the world caught up with the goings-on down under. If you haven't been to Australia, even if you don't want to (either due to the painful flight or the fact that we house nearly all the world's deadliest critters), this book will make you want to pack your bags and come. Because really- if you haven't seen Australia, met the people... soaked up the sun, you haven't lived, mate. Just ignore our Prime Minister, and you'll be right as rain.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Bryson's least funny book.
Review: I'm a huge Bill Bryson fan, so I preordered his latest book and was pretty disappointed. The research, as always, is meticulous, but there wasn't one page that had any big roaring laughs on it, which is what makes his other books such standouts among travel literature. No weird encounters with sheep shearers or people at laundrymats or anything. I really felt that Mr. Bryson was just plodding through a pretty boring writing assignment--either that, or he has truly become very middle-aged. Next time, I hope he brings along Steve Katz or maybe one of his own children to lighten things up again. Read this book if you want to learn a lot about Australia's explorers, Aborigines, minerals, plant and animal life, but if you want to really have fun, read any of his other travel books instead.
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Summary: another travel triumph for Bryson
Review: Bryson provides a whimsical, humorous, and adventurous depiction; but also an informative and reflective look at the under-appreciated continent of Australia. In the same style of prose which made A Walk in the Woods such a fascinating and fun read, he triumphs again with this new subject. By travelling across Australia by train, he reveals the beauty, wonder, as well as danger and oddity that is the outback. The people, animals, landscape are all constant sources of interest and curiosity to Bryson, and he conveys his enthusiasm to the reader excellently. You will laugh and shudder, reflect and learn, and love every minute of reading this delightful account. I sure did!
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Summary: Pleasant Surprise
Review: The day after I'd ordered it, the new Bryson was given a mediocre review in the N.Y. Times. I'd've ordered it anyway since I'm a big fan but, in fact, my vague disquiet arising from Maslin's negativity simply added to my utter joy as I read In a Sunburned Country. It may not be as non-stop-laugh-out-loud as some of his others but it's far superior to A Walk in the Woods & I certainly guffawed every couple of pages. As often happens with him, things are most amusing when he just shares his thoughts: his variations on Waltzing Matilda are worthy of being compared to the bawdier works of Robert Burns. He does indulge in some more sober contemplation similar to his cantankerous observations in earlier books but since I agree with most of his opinions, I used those moments to catch my breath for the next upbeat section. As often happens with his material, there are parts I can't 'share with friends' because I'm laughing too hard to read the passages. It's Bryson at his very nearly best.
Rating: 
Summary: GOORONYA MATE!
Review: I've lived there and, at times, gone through the same feelings Bryson describes. The Land of Oz is an amazing country, a new dimension of life and mood: I like the way Bryson illustrates it, I can empathize with it. Then, he has his idiosyncratic humour that makes it all the more enjoyable. In all my travels around the world, I wish I had experienced the same views and perspectives of the globe the author displays in all his works. See ya at the billabong!
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Summary: Another Bryson Gem!
Review: I can honestly say that I couldn't put this book down. It really is a great read, full of typical Brysonesque humour that left me giggling like an idiot at the most inopportune times (train, bus, etc). Bill obviously loves Australia & initially was strangely complimentary to the land down under (Call me suspicious but I though maybe the Aussie edition was watered down). However after covering enormous distances in difficult conditions whilst fending off a multitude of dangerous creatures, Bill finally warmed to the task of 'taking the mickey'out of the locals and local events (e.g. sheep shagging. Hey Bill I don't knock your hobbies! ). This is a fun book and well worth buying. Grab a copy before they're all gone.
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Summary: Bill has a good look at Australia
Review: Bill Bryson makes several trips around and across Australia by train, plane and car. He goes boogie boarding and snorkling - he drives across the desert and finds interesting facts about each place he visits. He has done his homework - his facts are spot on. Funny and a really good read.
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