The Third Tower Up from the Road: A Compilation of Columns from McSweeney's Internet Tendency'skevin Dolgin Tells You about Places You Should Go

by Kevin Dolgin

A humorous and entertaining collection of travel essays made up of old favorites as well as new commentaries, this work celebrates the distinctive qualities of locales the world over. Each globetrotting essay focuses on a specific place, capturing the flavors and cultures through individual observations and exceptional experiences. Funny, irreverent, and insightful, these writings eschew the bland, touristy veneer experienced by most travelers as it seeks to discover what is special and unique about each destination. Covering a wide range of places and interests, from unusual experiences and humorous traveler's foibles to voyages that are intensely personal and moving, the selected columns include "The Best Falafel in the World-Beirut," "The Door to Hell: Paris, France," "Kafka's Erotic Dream: Prague," "The Nesting Habits of Roman Cars," "Of Romans and Pussycats: Provence," and "The Third Tower Up from the Road: Huanghuacheng, China."

Genres: Travel

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2009

Reviews

[Bud · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compilation of blog posts from McSweeney's Internet Tendency's "Kevin Dolgin Tells You About Places You Should Go." And a delightful set of travel columns it is. Mr. Dolgin does not dwell on the usual tourist aspects of his travels, but rather his take on places, people he's met, and experiences during those travels. A perfect way to prepare the anticipatory urges for one's own travel.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book of travel short stories. Keven Dolgin has a great sense of humor and is an equially good writer. I read this book a little at a time, usually in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep. It took me to another place. I would forget whatever I was fretting over and just enjoy the story. It made it easy to go back to sleep. I'm not sure what I will replace it with. Maybe I'll slowly read it over again.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly entertaining. He thinks he's funnier than I do.
Not really what I was looking for in travel writing.