Rating: 
Summary: It's funny irreverent and educational!
Review: I am in my mid 40's and have never been out of the country. But, that doesn't mean that I don't want to travel, or read about travel. I've been reading travel books in anticipation of the day (soon I hope) when I'll be using the passport. (Don't ask.) And, one of the best books of the bunch, for my money, is Doug Lansk's "Up the Amazon without a Paddle." It's funny, irreverent and educational. Reading it, I learned about many places and situations I will probably want to stay away from. The story about sleeping outdoors, on a mat, with crocodiles creeping by in the night, convinced me that, at minimum, I would want accomodations that include walls, a door, and a bed. I learned not to dart out from between 2 parked cars in Thailand. (Did he forget what his mothertaught him when he was a little boy?) And, if I want to go to Antarctica and cavort with reindeer, well, at least I'll know what to expect.Thanks to Doug Lansky for helping me plan my dream trip...Now I really know where and how I want to visit!!!
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Summary: Doug Lansky - he shoots . . . HE SCORES!
Review: I have never laughed so hard as I have during a read through the many Doug Lansky articles he has produced over the years. His writing is quite creative. He has the unique ability to capture the distinctive parts of humerous travel situations. I highly recomend this book to anyone who has traveled or even has a 'desire' to experience the world through the eyes of Doug Lansky.
Rating: 
Summary: The Ugly American is alive and well
Review: I have no problem with sarcastic wit, except when it is used to belittle the defenseless. The author seemed to take great pleasure in demonstrating his American superiority to many of the peoples he visited. If some of these people didn't meet his criteria for personal hygiene, then he should attempt to live without indoor plumbing and a fresh supply of water. I was also unimpressed with his tasteless metaphors. However, he does come close to self-examination when he compares himself to a "turd" while squeezing through a cavern in his spelunking adventure. American readers gain no insight on the peoples of the world through this book. However, the peoples of the world, having met Mr. Lansky, are reminded that the Ugly American still lives.
Rating: 
Summary: like reading excerpts from my own life
Review: I laughed out loud! First at the book...and then at the comments made in these reviews! Small minds think only the author and his friends could have enjoyed this book. All I can say is that those people haven't done budget travel over long periods of time. Doug describes many of the same things I've experienced as a backpacker over the last 8 years of travel. If you don't get the sarcasm and see through to the actual experience, Im sorry for you. This bathroom humor is just what you find on the backpacker trail. Doug's book caught me saying, "I remember that!" over and over again. And what better way to conjure up a veiw of India for those armchair travelers than to describe its smell. Sorry guys, it DOES smell like that! And lets face it, "off the beaten path" IS off the beaten path for most of America, it just happens to be pretty beaten to death by us travelers who use the lonely planet as our sacred bible. The real "ugly American" is the one who sits and passes judgement with out having had the experiences themselves. If you take this book seriously, you miss the point Doug is trying to make. As a traveler, sometimes you have to make jokes about what you are experiencing and when writing home have to put it in terms others can identify with. When reading this book, just sit back, laugh and enjoy the journey. This book is not deep, historical, or culturally indepth, its a collection of funny experiences. Don't try to find deeper meaning and your life will be full of a lot less aingst!
Rating:
Summary: Is the author writing these good reviews?
Review: I read the online reviews here and thought I'd check out this book. Let me be blunt: It is really bad. I couldn't even read more than a few articles. Then I noticed that many of the "glowing" reviews on Amazon for Doug's book read just like Doug's book. Is he stocking the page with reviews. Sound like it. The only reason I can see this book getting a decent review is if the author writes one.
Rating:
Summary: an easy relaxing and funny reading experience
Review: I really enjoy being an armchair traveler... Mr.Lansky's book is just a fast moving, light hearted, mind trip around the world... I am glad he did these incredible things, so I really don't have to wonder if I have missed anything by not actually doing "that thing"... especially the camel stuff...I may pan for emeralds, however, I can't say for sure... nice "mind candy" book...a fantastic perspective on things and relatable humor...
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Summary: Funnier than Gresh Riley
Review: I saw this in a local bookstore and just had to read it. Funny and a good read. The world needs more irreverant travel writers like Doug. Also, it's good to see a former fellow Misdemeanor-ite out doing something with his humor...
Rating:
Summary: a humorous review of a humorour book
Review: I think "Up the Amazon Without a Paddle" is one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. As an armchair traveler, I'd much rather read about someone else's misadventures than have them myself. Lansky willingly rode an ostrich in South Africa (an item pretty far down on my list of "life priorities.") He survived being injured and in a hospital in Thailand, attended by a medical staff made up of the cast from some Twilight Zone version of a Marx Brothers movie, and managed to make that sound funny, too. (Although I suspect it was a lot funnier in retrospect.) Re-naming the local flora and fauna on a canoe trip down the Zambezi, while being chased by hippos and crocs, also sounds like fun, as long as I'm not the one doing it. I could go on, but you get the idea. Lots of wonderful stories about situations that,if you're like me, you've spent your life trying to avoid. But, reading about them is laugh-out-loud funny. Usually, this is the point in a book review for the quibbles- (too much of "this"; not enough of "that.") But, I have none. What could be bad about learning interesting facts about the culture and geography of other countries while, simultaneously, laughing? And all without leaving the comfort of your own home. If you have a sense of humor (and I've never met anyone who admitted to not having one) you should read this book.
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Summary: Hilariously honest--and it's about time
Review: I've been following Doug's column in my local paper and I was thrilled when this collection came out. I didn't realize how many columns I'd missed and it made me wish I'd started reading Vagabond sooner. I'm so sick of those overly politically correct takes on other countries I find in other books. They either read like ads or a bunch of euphemisms. Say what you really think, people! Doug's humor strikes a perfect balance between poking fun at other countries and poking fun at himself. I can't believe he actually finds jobs in these places! God. I couldn't do it. I guess I kind of travel through Doug. He's the only travel writer I've read, except maybe Dave Barry or P.J. O'Rourke, who isn't afraid to tell it how he really sees it. The adventures themselves are great and all, but I've found that it doesn't matter what he's writing about, his goofy self-effacing style makes any topic interesting. Sorry, I'm rambling. I've never written one of these before, but I just had to send something in. This book is just so different than any other travel book I've read.
Rating:
Summary: A great bathroom read!
Review: If you're looking for serious travel writing, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a hilarious, wacky read (with stories that take place in exotic locales) this is the book for you. It kept me laughing from cover to cover with its irreverent and light-hearted look at the world. This is a fun book for people with a sense of humor. And if you are searching for the perfect book for the bathroom--this is the book for you!
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