Six Months Off: An American Family's Australian Adventure

by Lamar Alexander

Book by Alexander, Lamar

Genres: Nonfiction

483 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1988

Reviews

[IAmTheHolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

After completing an 8 year stint as Tennessee governor, Lamar Alexander decides what his family needs is some time off an away to get reacquainted to living without a mansion, staff, and the constant presence of state troopers.  So they go to Australia for 6 months (with brief stops in Japan, Russia, China, Thailand, Paris) despite the job offers and outcry from both colleagues and his kids.

I really enjoyed this book.  Now, this guy was governor before I was born, so I had no idea when I picked it up that he was a governor.  However, the idea of taking six months off is really intriguing.  I'm still fascinated by the idea of full-timing (also see this great journal), but just taking six months to travel would be really cool and I'm always interested to hear about others' experiences with a leap like this.  It seems like people never regret their decisions to take the time with their family or the opportunity to travel.  I'm hopeful Nick and I will be able to do something similar at some point too.  Personally, I'm not a big fan of the whole work until you retire then you're so burnt out or potentially physically not capable of enjoying your years.  Life is short.  I'm all for a savings account but I don't want to waste away all my hopes and dreams and potentially never be able to do the things I hope to do in life.  Experiences now while I can are important!

If you are dreaming of some travel, enjoy reading about Australia (also recommend Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Country), or need a break with your family too - check this book out!

I'll go 8 of 10 overall and 4 of 5 for readability.  I'll admit I have 0 interest in politics so that is what I liked the least about this book - although the politics don't go too deep - but it was a good read nonetheless.  It was kind of interesting hearing about a political race from both a losing and winning candidate and what the transition in and out of office is like.  You won't get a good sense of what you could do in Australia or what it's like traveling, really, but it was an interesting story of getting reacquainted with family after so long working hard for career and political goals.

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[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former Tennessee governor’s saga of his time in Australia with his family immediately after stepping down as governor in January 1987 was different and better than I anticipated. Where I expected a dry, detailed travelogue, I found a human experience of a family truly becoming a family again after eight years in a governor’s mansion. Each of four children and their parents’ experience with them rang true. Yes, there are descriptions of Australia — in some cases descriptions bordering on the poetic. But there is also warmth, dry humor and a sense of the former governor — now three-term senator — realizing what it is to relax, what it is to appreciate the world’s elsewhere (and home), and what it is to really experience his family.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a family adventure story. The author takes a break in his political career to reconnect with his family, putting his family above his career. Their get-away takes them from Tennesee to Australia

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful and well-written account of a personal journey from Tennessee to Australia, from busyness to thoughtfulness, from Governor to dad.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lamar Alexander was governor of Tennessee for eight years. The day he released, he and his family (4 children from age 8-17) traveled to Australia for a six month time to be together and at experience new things. I read this book several years ago and had wanted to re-read it. I didn't feel as much charm as I did the first time but I did like it and will keep the 4 stars. I wouldn't say they returned to simple things but to have to cook your own meals after 8 years in the governor's mansion is a return to simple things. Alexander describes the importance of family and learning to communicate in a real way.

I have liked the following quotation near the end of the book:

(Reflecting upon what he had learned in his 6 months off in Australia in 1987 and realizing that he hadn’t learned the answers to many questions): About the most I can say is that now I understand the questions better. I understand, too, that this life will end before the search for answers ends, but I can’t stop searching because I might miss the joy of discovering some adventure that suits me right down to the ground and feeling its compelling purpose, pouring into it every creative ounce I have. And that may be life’s real Joy.
Lamar Alexander Six Months Off

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

You won't learn much about Australia. The book is more about the authors journey toward reclaiming his family after an accomplished political career. I enjoyed the honesty of the author.