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Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Blue Latitudes by Tony Horowitz

Premise: Follow the voyages of Captain James Cook as he went places no one had ever gone before.

The explorations of James Cook lie musty and faded in our memories - historical facts we only needed to pass one geography/history quiz. The reality of the actual voyages is something else indeed. Horowitz is a Pulitzer-prize winner writes with stylish wit and insight, but as in the case of fellow writer Bill Bryson, his outline seems almost formulaic.

First you need the rascally sidekick, who must of course be a drunken, but remarkably capable companion. Expect a lot of drinking humor.

Then throw in clever side stories about oddball people you meet along the journey. Describe in detail what you eat and drink, and especially difficult side-trips (in this case working an actual sailing ship similar to Cook's Endeavour).

Finally, intersperse with workmanlike research in the biography, history, geography etc. of the itinerary. Embed these elements in a diary of a man in motion. (His account of the trip to the very end of the Aleutian Islands was remarkably memorable, for example.)

Ta-da! A best-selling travel book.

Horowitz accomplishes all these things and more in an imminently readable book. These are places I will never go, and after his account of some of them, don't think I regret it either.

I now know more about the painstaking detail of biographers and historians to reconstruct those events two centuries ago. In addition, some of the dots on the map of the Pacific actually correspond with some stray facts.

A great read for winter and -5°.

Labels: history, travel

¶ 6:03 AM

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: Name: John Phipps; Location: Chrisman, Illinois, US

Jan and I farm 1700 acres near Chrisman, IL. I have also written humor and commentary for Farm Journal and Top Producer for 13 years. Please visit my website (www.johnwphipps.com) to learn about my speaking services for your group's next meeting.

View my complete profile

On the Coffee Table Tuesday, February 06, 2007 Blue Latitudes by Tony Horowitz Premise: Follow the voyages of Captain James Cook as he went places no one had ever gone before. The explorations of James Cook lie musty and faded in our memories - historical facts we only needed to pass one geography/history quiz. The reality of the actual voyages is something else indeed. Horowitz is a Pulitzer-prize winner writes with stylish wit and insight, but as in the case of fellow writer Bill Bryson, his outline seems almost formulaic. First you need the rascally sidekick, who must of course be a drunken, but remarkably capable companion. Expect a lot of drinking humor. Then throw in clever side stories about oddball people you meet along the journey. Describe in detail what you eat and drink, and especially difficult side-trips (in this case working an actual sailing ship similar to Cook's Endeavour). Finally, intersperse with workmanlike research in the biography, history, geography etc. of the itinerary. Embed these elements in a diary of a man in motion. (His account of the trip to the very end of the Aleutian Islands was remarkably memorable, for example.) Ta-da! A best-selling travel book. Horowitz accomplishes all these things and more in an imminently readable book. These are places I will never go, and after his account of some of them, don't think I regret it either. I now know more about the painstaking detail of biographers and historians to reconstruct those events two centuries ago. In addition, some of the dots on the map of the Pacific actually correspond with some stray facts. A great read for winter and -5°. Labels: history, travel ¶ 6:03 AM Comments: Post a Comment << Home About Me Name: John Phipps Location: Chrisman, Illinois, US Jan and I farm 1700 acres near Chrisman, IL. I have also written humor and commentary for Farm Journal and Top Producer for 13 years. Please visit my website (www.johnwphipps.com) to learn about my speaking services for your group's next meeting. View my complete profile ARCHIVES 06/01/2006 - 07/01/2006 / 07/01/2006 - 08/01/2006 / 08/01/2006 - 09/01/2006 / 02/01/2007 - 03/01/2007 / advertisement MORE FROM JOHN What's for Dinner
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