What do You think about Holidays In Hell: In Which Our Intrepid Reporter Travels To The World's Worst Places And Asks, "What's Funny About This" (2000)?
If O'Rourke's quirky brand of humor resonates with you, this is as good as it gets. I've read most of his works, and this is my favorite.O'Rourke was a foreign correspondent for 'Rolling Stone', and was sent to every god-forsaken hellhole in the world. It is from his experiences in these venues that the chapters are drawn.The chapter on Lebanon begins ...... "Beirut, at a glance, lacks charm." If that doesn't strike you as pure writing genius, then you probably won't enjoy this book (or other of O'Rourke's books).O'Rourke did a very short stint as a commentator on television, where he bombed in grand fashion. It was hard for me to watch. His medium is clearly the written word, not the spoken word.
—Earle
Disappointing. This is not a book that's stood the test of time; it was probably funnier while it was topical. What's the point of reading about a South Africa on the brink of democracy, or about a war-torn Beirut when the author does not offer a lasting impression of the countries but rather an account of his own experience at that precise moment in history? Change the circumstances and the accounts become inconsequential. As both did.The biggest disappointment though, came from the little xenophobic comments O'Rourke lets slip here and there. A real sad thing to see so much intellectual talent wasted on passing disparaging comments about the Third World. Unnecessary, really, but he probably couldn't help it. Or see it.
—Sergio GRANDE films
this is a very good book i was always disapointed that P J O'rourke did not focus on dangerous hot spots in america go to gangland.net save it to favorites and call me in the morning because i am in love with you earth. People of earth what the fuck ya all upset with each other for in groups where it gets messy for those of us that are not upset at all. p j o'rourke one of my fathers required reading projects. Hey my close personal Friends want to know all the books my large highly lethal family has required me to read and have them jammed into your brain like you were a fuckin SUPER COMPUTER i didn't think so. I also a bit of a lego maniac i am very competetive about my standing in the legomaniac world. Isuggest we all get together and build a border fence with legos around america Your right i will just keep READING and VOTING like an adult i like immigrints my family is full of them they can violate the shit out of your privacy though for no reason what so evah. they are irish my mother believes in numerology and telepathic abilities and past lives and she talks to moon people... no shit. In my family any thing Goes and since pj O'rourke thinks he is such top dog and all what about the Ghetto hoods now are they better dick head. I am fuckin rational guy Pj O'rourke but then again i am not an idiot who likes to have a who's hood can be the poorest world contest and call it a book. Yours Pete rock campbellseptember 30 2008
—Peter rock
