Lonely Planet Journeys: Drive Thru America

Lonely Planet Journey Books

by Sean Condon, Lonely Planet

If you've ever wanted to drive across the US but couldn't find the time (or afford the gas), "Drive Thru America" is perfect for you.
In his search for American myths and realities - along with comfort, cable TV and good, reasonably priced coffee - Sean Condon paints a hilarious road-portrait of the USA.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Humor

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

Since 1996 I have published seven books, beginning with the genre-busting travelogue 'Sean & David's Long Drive' up to 2013's comic novel 'Splitsville', my most accomplished work so far. I've also had work in many anthologies, including 'The Best of McSweeney's Humor'. I also co-wrote an episode of an excellent and very funny sitcom which was made into a non-excellent and mostly terrible pilot (abysmal direction was to blame) as well as several quite-good feature screenplays, one of which was very nearly produced by Michael Bay. I've had columns and articles in newspapers and magazines all around the world. 'Sean & David's Long Drive' was short-listed for the WA Premier's Award and I've received three Australia Council literature grants. All of it while failing to carve out a successful career in advertising.

I live in Melbourne with my wife and daughter. (We have no pets but I promise that if we did we'd have a dog or cat, whichever is your preference.)

Books

Sean & David's Long Drive (Lonely Planet Journeys. 1996)

In 1995 my friend David O'Brien and I drove around the eastern half of Australia in an old Ford or Holden or something. (It was definitely light blue.) This very popular book, which was reprinted nine times, is the result.

"One of the funniest road stories in print." Toronto Globe and Mail
"Funny, pithy, kitch and surreal." Time Out London
"I enjoyed it immensely." Bill Bryson
"Condon can be quite funny." Times Literary Supplement
"An amusingly subversive commentary on stereotypical travel writing... shrewd as well as funny." The Age
"Condon is a cool wit who comes off like Hunter S Thompson on prescription drugs." The Australian

Drive Thru America (Lonely Planet Journeys. 1998)

In 1996, David O'Brien and I, still friends despite the previous year's ordeal, made the mistake of driving around the United States in a rented Chrysler Neon (white). We didn't have much fun. The book has an excellent cover - designed and painted by David - and is genre-busting and brilliant.
"Funny and high on popular culture, it is one of the most accurate accounts of how travellers really experience America, and the most fun." The Times (U.K)
"When it's good [it] reaches well-paced brilliance." The Independent On Sunday (U.K)
"Hilarious." The Philadelphia Enquirer
"Hilarious and cruel." Elle magazine
"Tedious, self-indulgent, unrelentingly unrewarding... a cautionary example of exactly how not to write a book about a road trip across the United States." Sonoma County Independent

My Dam Life (Lonely Planet Journeys. 2003)

A hilarious - and yet frequently moving - account of my first three years in Amsterdam with my wife Sally. Parts of it were even quoted in a speech by the Dutch prime minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, in April 2006. It is an excellent book - in fact, my very best. If you're thinking about going to Amsterdam then this is a great point of reference for you. Although it's more of a memoir than a travel book it is nevertheless full of interesting information about Amsterdam and, to a lesser degree, me. It's also pretty funny.

"Fans of offbeat travel literature rejoice! Stylistically and philosophically, Condon is as close to Bill Bryson as it's possible to be. He mixes fascinating facts with hilarious humor... and keeps us thoroughly in stitches from beginning to end. This one's an absolute must-read." Booklist
"A smart and funny book." San Francisco Chronicle
"Condon is a humorous chap from Australia who writes humorous books... in a David Sedaris sort of way - dry and ironic with a skewed sense of the absurdity of it all." Chicago Tribune

Film (4th Estate. 2003.)

A semi-autobiographical novel about obsession, ambition, failure and redemption. With a beautiful cover.

"A stunning tragi-comedy." Vogue
"Funny and touching... On present form [Condon] is a storyteller who will be delighting us for many years to come." The Bulletin magazine
"Notably lucid and imaginative... whim

Reviews

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all time favorite books. Irreverently funny and pompous, it is the travelogue of two Australian guys driving through the U.S. - not to the idyllic sites though. No, they stop at places like Galveston.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as entertaining as Bill Bryson.

[Martin Bihl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great fun from Sean Condon as he wanders aimlessly across America. Very entertaining.

[Debra]

Zero stars. Why do publishers even both printing this crap. I thought it was going to be funny. I read half of it; it was annoying so I quit wasting my time.

[Farheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Sean is such an entertaining and prolific writer. Totally recommended esp to the travel buff ;)

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are some funny one liners but essentially this book is just like being stuck in a car for a cross-country drive with two boring, annoying, ignorant relatives. No-thanks!

[Nicki Judson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was basically a chuckle a paragraph. If you enjoy a road trip with a difference then you're going to enjoy reading Mr Condon's drive thru USA (really drive around the outside States because they didn't tackle the middle bits). They meet a few odd fellows along the way and get to sleep the night in some dives. I loved the reason at the end of the book why Sean always had to go back to the Motel before they set off each day. Sean and David's sense of humour was very wry. One you either enjoy or you won't. Since I had already read his travels around Australia several years back I knew what to expect.