Lonely Planet Drive Thru Amer

by Lonely Planet and Sean Condon

From New York to San Francisco, Sean Condon investigates the legendary people, places and TV programmes that sustained him through his difficult pre-pubescent years, providing a shrewd and funny take... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0864425066
• ISBN13: 9780864425065
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Length: 307 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Seanie at his best!

Or maybe it is because the subject area is so close to my heart. Condon disproves the myth that the second book you write is the 'difficult' one.We meet Sean and David on the plane from Australia and leave them there at the end. In between we travel through 2 countries and umpteen states with the gagster Sean and quiet, thoughtful David. I loved this book; I loved the fractured writing style and I loved the offbeat overly-descriptive descriptions of whatever caugt Condon's eye.

I can't believe some people bought this for a travel guide.

I wonder if the same people who reviewed this book and complained that there was a lack of travel/city information also go to McDonalds when they feel like having a steak. If you want a travel guide, pick up a Fodors. If you want to read a hilarious account of one Australian's trek through America, then this book fits the bill. Once again, Condon is genuinely witty and manages to turn ordinary situations into amusing and interesting events. There's also a fair amount of interesting social commentary on America, but you have to read between the lines. A feat which apparently proved impossible for many people who negatively reviewed this book. Condon is for those who can appreciate and pick up on sublety, sarcasm, and an off-beat but witty sense of humor. Also for those who know not to go to McDonalds when you want a steak.

The Best "Armchair Travel" Book I have EVER read

I only read armchair travel, Micheal Palin, Bill Bryson etc..I have not even finished reading this book, and have already ordered the next one [Sean and David's Long Drive]. An absolute pleasure to read. Goes down really well with a fag, a beer and some hot African Sun........Mister Condon keep it up!!!!!!

Unputdownable!! (I've always wanted to say that)

Seanie (yeah, yeah, don't call him that!), you've done it again. I read this book in a day (which may or may not be a reflection on the slackness with which I approach my work) and spent many moments laughing out loud (and sounding just a little insane). Sean embraces all that is American (or all that seems American, to an Australian raised on a diet of bad American TV), dissects it, and regurgitates it. You will laugh at his pathetic attempts to convince a woman in a motel that he is a TV star, and therefore worthy of getting his name on the door, and you will laugh when Leon the Neon gets struck by lightning. In fact, you'll laugh at everything. Sean and David discover real America - the one that hangs out in laundromats and sleazy bars; the one that runs gun shops (and demands 'specificks'); and the one that blends seamlessly into all of those TV shows and movies that we were forcefed as children. Sean Condon's observations are witty and sarcastic (pardon the tautology) and his celebration of his own pathetic nature lends this book a gloriously self-deprecatory air. And the talking dog does a good cameo too.Basically, you've just got to read it. So there.