As an American who lived in Australia for three years, Tim Sweeney has a unique-and often highly comical-perspective on life Down Under. Lucky for us, he has a gift for bringing the reader along for the ride as he observes and relays hilarious stories about the places he visited and the characters he met along the way. And there are plenty of those. Sweeney fills the pages of Yank Down Under with witty cultural observations and historical perspective as he cruises the crocodile-infested waters of the Northern Territory with an Aboriginal guide, jumps into an Outback swimming hole with a busload of retirees, scuba dives on the Great Barrier Reef, and stuffs his face with beers and meat pies at an Australian Rules Football match. Yank Down Under is "info-tainment." It will make you laugh, teach you a few things about Aussie culture, and maybe even have you booking your own Australian adventure.
Readers say Sweeney "writes like no one reads his stuff; just what falls out of his head and onto the page." Mixing historical anecdotes with humor and the occasional hangover, the award-winning journalist recounts his (mis)adventures and encounters with the people, reptiles, food, sports and beverages that make Australia a magical destination for many. Then, after each section, he offers a bonus to his laugh-out-loud stories by sharing brief summaries of the must-see spots and the tourist traps to avoid. Yank Down Under is for anyone-even Aussies-who appreciates a witty tale and an adventure on the road. It's also for anyone planning their own Aussie adventure, looking to reminisce about the one they already took, or just wondering if Australia is as exotic and as lively as it sounds. Spoiler alert: with Tim Sweeney playing tour guide, it is!
About the Author :
Tim Sweeney began his career as a newspaper journalist in Colorado, where he won the award for Best Column Writing from the Colorado Press Association at the age of twenty-three. Born in Massachusetts, he attended Eckerd College in Florida, then lived most of his adult life in California, Australia, and the French Alps. He's been a magazine editor, a radio sports anchor, an advertising copywriter, and a marketing professional for premium sports brands. He's written for a number of magazines including Skiing, SKI, Powder, Pebble Beach, Palm Desert, and Palm Springs Life, and also studied improv and hosted a YouTube series. Yank Down Under is his first book.
Review :
"I laughed so hard that my wife thought there was something wrong with me."
-Mike Douglas, Filmmaker/Adventurer
"The perfect blend of history, context and funny observations. The Aussies will love it, too. We like when people take the piss with us, and this does that for sure, and it's absolutely hilarious in sections. Where does he come up with this stuff?"
-beta reader, age 33, Australia
"Hilarious! It leaves the reader wanting to follow Tim on more travels."
-beta reader, age 40, USA
"His writing makes the reader feel that they are sitting with him as he tells his tales. Most likely with a beverage in hand."
-beta reader, age 65, USA
"His writing is like if Ken Burns and a witty comedian had a baby. It's funny, it's informative and to-the-point. So much information, examples and perspective. I can hear his unique voice in it."
-beta reader, age 33, USA
"In my head, I had Mike Rowe's voice reading it, which is as strong a compliment as I can give. I genuinely enjoy the writing style-facts mixed with the anecdotal stories and just the right amount of dry humour for my taste."
-beta reader, age 41, Australia
"Loved it! I could hear Anthony Bourdain narrating it in my head because it made me think of him. And it's hilarious! I feel like I watched a short movie rather than read a book."
-beta reader, age 55, USA
