Holidays in Heck takes us on several trips with him, many with his family, and it was a pleasant ride. Years before he had written a book titled Holidays in Hell that gave the reader an insight into his war correspondent days. During the Iraq war he and his boss, Mike Kelly, reported from the Mid East. P. J. traveled around looking for the stories behind the horror until his boss was killed in Baghdad during an assault on the airport. Suddenly writing about pleasurable travels seemed much more appealing. You would think that O'Rourke's cynical view on things might hamper his writing about "fun time with the family," but somehow it works.
He shares a bit of historical knowledge and a bit of republican humor. He explains how the son of a republican friend of his was asked by his pre-school teacher to name the four seasons. The child proudly answered "dove, ducks, deer and quail." Ouch!
He does make me laugh though, and he describes some places I have never been to and will probably never see.
The book is a good holiday gift for anyone with a sense of humor with a little bit of politics sprinkled in...probably not enough to really offend anyone.
- Beverly
Publisher - Atlantic Monthly Press
Date of Publication - November 1, 2011