Even though I didn't catch the BBC TV
series this book is supposed to accompany, I didn't find it lacking
because of this. The general tone is anecdotal and amusing, like an
old friend telling stories of his holiday, and Stephen Fry manages to
be honest even about the negatives while remaining warm and generally
complimentary.
The book is divided into a chapter for
each state, and the photos and short sections make it more
approachable and fun than a weighty encyclopaedia of travel
knowledge. Of course with such a vast and diverse area to cover, some
states aren't as in-depth as they might be, but a general overview is
always given, alongside more personal experiences in each state.
I've always found it difficult to
imagine such a large country as the USA functioning as one entity,
and this book really made me appreciate how different each state is
in its interests, attitudes and physical landscapes. This is a proper
coffee-table book, entertaining and easy to dip into.
Next up: Les Liaisons Dangereuses
by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
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