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Holidays in Hell
People who bought this also bought...
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How the Hell Did This Happen?
- The Election of 2016
- By: P. J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: P. J. O'Rourke
- Length: 5 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 53
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 50
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 50
This election cycle was so absurd that celebrated political satirist, journalist, and die-hard Republican P. J. O'Rourke endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. As P.J. put it, "America is experiencing the most severe outbreak of mass psychosis since the Salem witch trials of 1692. So why not put Hillary on the dunking stool?"
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3 out of 5 stars
-
A few insights, several horse laughs, some tedium
- By Philo on 12-09-17
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None of My Business
- P.J. Explains Money, Banking, Debt, Equity, Assets, Liabilities, and Why He’s Not Rich and Neither Are You
- By: P. J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Johnny Heller
- Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 61
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 55
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 55
After decades covering war and disaster, best-selling author and acclaimed satirist P. J. O'Rourke takes on his scariest subjects yet: business, investment, finance, and the political chicanery behind them. Want to get rich overnight for free in three easy steps with no risk? Then don't buy this audiobook. This is P. J. at his finest, an audiobook not to be missed.
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2 out of 5 stars
-
Spend more time on content, less on jokes
- By Rmlimodriver69 on 06-05-19
-
Age and Guile Beat Youth, Innocence, and a Bad Haircut
- By: P.J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Rob McQuay
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 83
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 23
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 27
P.J. O'Rourke traces his development from hippie protester to conservative grouch to jaded humorist. Along the way, we are privy to his strange, twisted days as editor in chief of National Lampoon, as well as the in-depth looks at appropriate sports for middle-aged Republicans, namely those which can be engaged in with a smuggled Havana between the teeth - fly-fishing, bird hunting, deep-sea fishing, and of course, golf. Plus, you'll hear O'Rourke's take on the Virtues of Automobiles - because what good was oil doing sitting in the ground for millions of years? - and many other hilarious rants in this off-the-wall collection by America's premier political humorist.
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1 out of 5 stars
-
usual great PJ, but PATHETIC sound quality
- By Gianluca on 08-06-09
-
Holidays in Heck
- By: P.J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Dan John Miller
- Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Performance3.5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Story3.5 out of 5 stars 20
P. J. O’Rourke is one of his generation’s most celebrated political humorists, hailed as “the funniest writer in America” by both Time and The Wall Street Journal. Twenty-three years ago he published the classic travelogue Holidays in Hell, in which he trotted the globe as a “trouble tourist,” a chaos rubberneck, sight-seeing at wars, rebellions, riots, political crises, and other monuments of human folly. After the Iraq War - “too old to keep being scared stiff and too stiff to keep sleeping on the ground” - he retired from what foreign correspondents call “being a s**thole specialist.”
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1 out of 5 stars
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Holidays in Boredom.
- By roger w patton on 03-09-12
-
Don't Vote - It Just Encourages the Bastards
- By: P. J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Christopher Lane
- Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 108
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 66
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 66
In Don't Vote - It Just Encourages the Bastards, best-selling humorist P. J. O’Rourke delivers a hilarious theory of politics.
America’s most subversive conservative, O’Rourke describes government as a devil’s bargain between power, freedom, and responsibility, and goes on to hilariously skewer the politicians who have bargained with us to consolidate power, and the many mini-bargains and evasions that citizens have made with the consequences of their choices.
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2 out of 5 stars
-
Would be much funnier with a different narrator
- By Fernando on 11-05-12
-
On the Wealth of Nations
- Books That Changed the World
- By: P.J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Michael Prichard
- Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 244
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 76
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 75
As one of the first titles in Atlantic Monthly Press' "Books That Changed the World" series, America's most provocative satirist, P.J. O'Rourke, reads from Adam Smith's revolutionary The Wealth of Nations - so you don't have to. Recognized almost instantly on its publication in 1776 as the fundamental work of economics, The Wealth of Nations was also recognized as really long: the original edition totaled over 900 pages in two volumes.
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4 out of 5 stars
-
Good, but missing PJ
- By David 5 on 11-27-07
-
How the Hell Did This Happen?
- The Election of 2016
- By: P. J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: P. J. O'Rourke
- Length: 5 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 53
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 50
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 50
This election cycle was so absurd that celebrated political satirist, journalist, and die-hard Republican P. J. O'Rourke endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. As P.J. put it, "America is experiencing the most severe outbreak of mass psychosis since the Salem witch trials of 1692. So why not put Hillary on the dunking stool?"
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3 out of 5 stars
-
A few insights, several horse laughs, some tedium
- By Philo on 12-09-17
-
None of My Business
- P.J. Explains Money, Banking, Debt, Equity, Assets, Liabilities, and Why He’s Not Rich and Neither Are You
- By: P. J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Johnny Heller
- Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 61
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 55
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 55
After decades covering war and disaster, best-selling author and acclaimed satirist P. J. O'Rourke takes on his scariest subjects yet: business, investment, finance, and the political chicanery behind them. Want to get rich overnight for free in three easy steps with no risk? Then don't buy this audiobook. This is P. J. at his finest, an audiobook not to be missed.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Spend more time on content, less on jokes
- By Rmlimodriver69 on 06-05-19
-
Age and Guile Beat Youth, Innocence, and a Bad Haircut
- By: P.J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Rob McQuay
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 83
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 23
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 27
P.J. O'Rourke traces his development from hippie protester to conservative grouch to jaded humorist. Along the way, we are privy to his strange, twisted days as editor in chief of National Lampoon, as well as the in-depth looks at appropriate sports for middle-aged Republicans, namely those which can be engaged in with a smuggled Havana between the teeth - fly-fishing, bird hunting, deep-sea fishing, and of course, golf. Plus, you'll hear O'Rourke's take on the Virtues of Automobiles - because what good was oil doing sitting in the ground for millions of years? - and many other hilarious rants in this off-the-wall collection by America's premier political humorist.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
usual great PJ, but PATHETIC sound quality
- By Gianluca on 08-06-09
-
Holidays in Heck
- By: P.J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Dan John Miller
- Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Performance3.5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Story3.5 out of 5 stars 20
P. J. O’Rourke is one of his generation’s most celebrated political humorists, hailed as “the funniest writer in America” by both Time and The Wall Street Journal. Twenty-three years ago he published the classic travelogue Holidays in Hell, in which he trotted the globe as a “trouble tourist,” a chaos rubberneck, sight-seeing at wars, rebellions, riots, political crises, and other monuments of human folly. After the Iraq War - “too old to keep being scared stiff and too stiff to keep sleeping on the ground” - he retired from what foreign correspondents call “being a s**thole specialist.”
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Holidays in Boredom.
- By roger w patton on 03-09-12
-
Don't Vote - It Just Encourages the Bastards
- By: P. J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Christopher Lane
- Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 108
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 66
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 66
In Don't Vote - It Just Encourages the Bastards, best-selling humorist P. J. O’Rourke delivers a hilarious theory of politics.
America’s most subversive conservative, O’Rourke describes government as a devil’s bargain between power, freedom, and responsibility, and goes on to hilariously skewer the politicians who have bargained with us to consolidate power, and the many mini-bargains and evasions that citizens have made with the consequences of their choices.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Would be much funnier with a different narrator
- By Fernando on 11-05-12
-
On the Wealth of Nations
- Books That Changed the World
- By: P.J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Michael Prichard
- Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 244
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 76
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 75
As one of the first titles in Atlantic Monthly Press' "Books That Changed the World" series, America's most provocative satirist, P.J. O'Rourke, reads from Adam Smith's revolutionary The Wealth of Nations - so you don't have to. Recognized almost instantly on its publication in 1776 as the fundamental work of economics, The Wealth of Nations was also recognized as really long: the original edition totaled over 900 pages in two volumes.
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4 out of 5 stars
-
Good, but missing PJ
- By David 5 on 11-27-07
-
Against the Grain
- A Deep History of the Earliest States
- By: James C. Scott
- Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
- Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 227
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 198
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 196
Why did humans abandon hunting and gathering for sedentary communities dependent on livestock and cereal grains and governed by precursors of today's states? Most people believe that plant and animal domestication allowed humans, finally, to settle down and form agricultural villages, towns, and states, which made possible civilization, law, public order, and a presumably secure way of living. But archaeological and historical evidence challenges this narrative.
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4 out of 5 stars
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As a complete layman, this is very good
- By Donald Carroll on 09-13-18
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The Baby Boom
- How It Got That Way, and It Wasn’t My Fault, and I’ll Never Do It Again
- By: P. J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Dick Hill
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 75
-
Performance3.5 out of 5 stars 65
-
Story3.5 out of 5 stars 63
P.J. O’Rourke began writing funny things in 1960s underground newspapers, became editor-in-chief of National Lampoon, then spent 20 years reporting for Rolling Stone and The Atlantic Monthly as the world’s only trouble spot humorist, going to wars, riots, rebellions, and other "Holidays in Hell” in more than 40 countries.
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1 out of 5 stars
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This is not about the baby boom
- By Joel on 03-14-14
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Driving Like Crazy
- By: P. J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Christopher Lane
- Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 45
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 26
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 27
In this newly collected anthology of spiels-on-wheels, O'Rourke celebrates cars and berates car haters, and chronicles America's relationship with automobiles from love for a powerful chariot of freedom to tolerance of an oversized household appliance with an extra-long extension cord.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Classic O'Rourke
- By Ray on 07-03-11
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Peace Kills
- America's Fun New Imperialism
- By: P. J. O'Rourke
- Narrated by: Dick Hill
- Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 26
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 13
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 13
Having unraveled the mysteries of Washington in his classic best seller Parliament of Whores, and the mysteries of economics in Eat the Rich, one of our shrewdest and most mordant foreign correspondents now turns his attention to what is these days the ultimate mystery - America's foreign policy.
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5 out of 5 stars
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An Excellent Cynical Romp around modern warfare
- By Aaron on 07-06-09
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In a Sunburned Country
- By: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,585
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,937
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,935
Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door, memorable travel literature threatens to break out. His previous excursion on the Appalachian Trail resulted in the best seller A Walk in the Woods. Now, we follow him "Down Under" to Australia with this delectably funny, fact-filled, and adventurous performance that combines humor, wonder, and unflagging curiosity. More from Bill Bryson.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Laugh out loud funny
- By Larry on 06-09-03
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Dave Barry's Money Secrets
- Like: Why Is There a Giant Eyeball on the Dollar?
- By: Dave Barry
- Narrated by: Dick Hill
- Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 62
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 44
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Story4 out of 5 stars 43
Did you ever wish that you really understood money? Well, Dave Barry wishes that he did, too. But that hasn't stopped him from writing a book about how to understand money. In it, Dave explores (as only he can) such topics as: How the U.S. economy works, including the often-overlooked role of Adam Sandler, Why it is not a good idea to use squirrels for money, Strategies that will give you the confidence you need to try for a good job, even though you are, let's be honest, a no-talent loser.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Can't listen to it...
- By cefu63 on 02-17-10
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Double Whammy
- By: Carl Hiaasen
- Narrated by: George Wilson
- Length: 13 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 2,890
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,945
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Story4 out of 5 stars 1,954
A twisted tale of murder in the world of big-stakes bass fishing tournaments. Filled with ex-wives, evangelists, and an armed pit-bull, this is a story that could only be concocted by Carl Hiaasen, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, New York Times best-selling author, and czar of Florida noir fiction.
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5 out of 5 stars
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First For Me
- By Kindle Customer on 06-04-04
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Florida Roadkill
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- Narrated by: George Wilson
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 767
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 677
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Story4 out of 5 stars 688
Sunshine State trivia buff Serge A. Storms loves eliminating jerks and pests. His drug-addled partner Coleman loves cartoons. Hot stripper Sharon Rhodes loves cocaine, especially when purchased with rich dead men's money. On the other hand, there's Sean and David, who love fishing and are kind to animals - and who are about to cross paths with a suitcase filled with $5 million in stolen insurance money. Serge wants the suitcase. Sharon wants the suitcase. Coleman wants more drugs... and the suitcase.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Its a Mad Mad Mad Florida!
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On the Road
- 50th Anniversary Edition
- By: Jack Kerouac
- Narrated by: Will Patton
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 2,773
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,366
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Story4 out of 5 stars 2,361
Few novels have had as profound an impact on American culture as On the Road. Pulsating with the rhythms of 1950s underground America, jazz, sex, illicit drugs, and the mystery and promise of the open road, Kerouac's classic novel of freedom and longing defined what it meant to be "beat" and has inspired generations of writers, musicians, artists, poets, and seekers who cite their discovery of the book as the event that "set them free".
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5 out of 5 stars
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My Favorite Narration and a Wonderful Book
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My Twenty-Five Years in Provence
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- Narrated by: John Lee
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- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 89
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 80
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 78
A celebration of 25 years of Provençal living - of lessons learned and changes observed - with his final book, Peter Mayle has crafted a lasting love letter to his adopted home, marked by his signature warmth, wit, and humor.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Delightful as always
- By V T Abel on 07-18-18
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Travel as a Political Act
- By: Rick Steves
- Narrated by: Rick Steves
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 178
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 164
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 167
With the world facing divisive events and movements like the rise of nationalism, Trump, Brexit, Erdogan, and more, there's never been a more important time to travel. Rick believes the risks of travel are widely exaggerated, and that fear is for people who don't get out much. After years of living out of a suitcase, he still marvels at how different cultures may find different truths to be self-evident. By sharing his experiences from Europe, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East, Rick shows how we can learn more about own country by viewing it from afar.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Powerful
- By Caralyn on 08-06-18
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A Walk in the Woods
- Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
- By: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Rob McQuay
- Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 7,457
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 6,724
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 6,738
The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America - majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaing guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way - and a couple of bears. Already a classic, A Walk in the Woods will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in).
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4 out of 5 stars
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Very entertaining
- By Diane S on 11-13-12
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.
Critic Reviews
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Average Customer Ratings
Overall
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4 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars21
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4 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars22
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Philip
- Garland, TX, United States
- 12-10-12
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.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 07-31-19
funny
funny and surprisingly informative. the author has a pleasantly nonchalant perspective. the narrative was perfect.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- Miami, Florida
- 09-23-18
The way it was
I didn't realize how old this book was when I bought it. I liked the epilogue best.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Larry-Bob
- 10-29-17
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
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Yousuf Sajjad
- 05-01-17
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kevin Armstrong
- Naples, New York USA
- 04-29-17
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.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Ken
- 02-06-14
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.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Christopher Brown
- everett, wa usa
- 12-25-18
it was cynical to me
Did not care for. after 30 minutes got tired of it and quit listening..Don't think I will finish
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Aaron Arrowood
- Indiana, USA
- 05-10-15
Really cynical… Not really funny
PJ O'Rourke is billed as a humorist. I found him to be lacking in humor and full of cynicism. I plowed through…
1 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Carlton
- Webster, NY, United States
- 12-23-11
Not Very Funny
I was very disappointed with this book. I rarely have an Audible book that I do not like but this book was not worth the time or effort. I listened all the way through and rarely was amused. O'Rourke seems to love vulgarity in portraying the story. I would not recommend this book unless you are a Rolling Stones Fan and then it would probably be of interest to you.
1 of 9 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Lulwah
- 02-16-17
Every sentence has to be a funny quote!
while it's an interesting collection of travel memories, some of the jokes fall short and the whole audiobook just feels like a ten hour long mediocre stand up comedy.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful