Holidays in Hell

In Which Our Intrepid Reporter Travels to the World's Worst Places and Asks, 'What's Funny About This'

By: P.J. O'Rourke

Narrated by: Dan John Miller

Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Holidays in Hell follows P. J. O’Rourke on a global fun-finding mission to the most desperate places on the planet, from the bombed-out streets of Beirut to the stultifying blandness of Heritage USA. P.J.’s unforgettable adventures abroad include storming student protesters’ barricades in South Korea, interviewing Communist insurrectionists in the Philippines, and going undercover in Arab garb at Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock Mosque. Packed with P.J.’s classic riffs on everything from Polish nightlife under communism to Third World driving tips, Holidays in Hell is one of the best-loved books by one of today’s most celebrated humorists - a full-tilt, no-holds-barred romp through politics, culture, and ideology.

©2011 P. J. O'Rourke (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This is funny, outrageous, perceptive stuff, written with brio.” ( The Washington Post Book World)

“O’Rourke... seems to have teethed on brass knuckles and suckled on bile. He is also one of the funniest writers in America, or wherever else he may go to satisfy his desperate need to extract humor from folly and chaos.” ( Time)

“P. J. is sui generis.... He’s wickedly amusing. I count a per-chapter average of at least two dozen laughs-out-loud and a half-dozen zingingly apt observations.” ( The Baltimore Sun)

I LOVED this book! Great for a laugh!

The best travelogue I've ever heard. Very funny and I highly recommend it. Couldn't stop laughing in most places.

A pleasure

Very incisive and always funny. I recommend it.
A review needs at least 15 words. It’s really great!

kinda brilliant especially in 2017

Mix equal parts Rick Steve's, Arthur From, Mark Twain, and Hunter S. Thompson. Age it for 35 years and you get a PJ's vacation commentary.

The way it was

I didn't realize how old this book was when I bought it. I liked the epilogue best.

Refreshing Romp Through International Situations

Welcome to "Absurdistan"! It seems that some things don't change. A remarkable read of how little has changed in many of the problem spots of the world!

funny

funny and surprisingly informative. the author has a pleasantly nonchalant perspective. the narrative was perfect.

Moving Stories

What made the experience of listening to Holidays in Hell the most enjoyable?

Real Human stories. Not political or partisan crap.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Holidays in Hell?

Descriptions of children in horrible situations.

Any additional comments?

Incredibly moving and thought provoking even in the humor. Amazing insight from PJ.

A fun book

O'Rourke's book is informative, touching and humourous, if a little dated. The book was writtwn in the late Cold War era of the mid-1980's, just before the fall of Communism and it definitely provides a snapshot of that more fraught world.

Time flies and this is a bit dated

When I read this it made a convert out of me but it's dated. Going to try Holidays in Heck...hope its more timely. BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT P J is still a genius. I thank him for hours of entertainment and an education from a guy who claims to have been a loutish dope smoking do-nothing. He must have been paying SOME attention despite what he says. Thanks P J

Shallow social commentary, written in the 80's

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Currency would have made it a better experience. PJ O'Rourke is relatively entertaining but despite the 2000 publish date, the articles in this collection are mostly 30+ years old now.