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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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In a Sunburned Country summary
Discover the delights of “down under”
34 mins
Brief summary
In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson is an entertaining travelogue that explores the vast and unique continent of Australia. Bryson’s witty writing style and detailed observations provide an insightful and humorous perspective on the Land Down Under.
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In a Sunburned Country
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Key idea 1 of 12
Australia is often forgotten about, despite the fact that it’s a truly unique place.
What do you really know about Australia? If you’re not from “down under,” probably not a lot. It’s a massive country that leaves a comparatively small footprint in the global consciousness. Even the most bizarre events there barely make international news.
Take the seismic activity that baffled experts in 1993.
The disturbances took place in the Great Victoria Desert. An earthquake was ruled out, which left a couple of possibilities. It couldn’t have been a meteorite strike as there wasn’t a crater, and the activity was too intense to be blamed on a mining accident. In the end, the tremors were chalked up as an unsolvable mystery.
Later, in 1995, the Japanese Aum Shinrikyo cult achieved notoriety after killing 12 commuters in a nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway. Subsequent investigations turned up a massive 500,000-acre property owned by the group near the site of the previously unexplained seismic activity.
When the authorities investigated, they found a sophisticated laboratory and evidence that members of the group had been mining uranium. More disturbingly still, the group was known to have nuclear engineers among its members. Apparently, its aim of putting an end to the world included secret bomb tests in the desert!
How did the world respond to this shocking news? The New York Times ran just one story, in 1997, four years after the actual event. That’s a pretty good snapshot of the kind of place Australia is – a country so vast that covert nuclear bomb tests can go unnoticed for years!
There are hundreds of other fascinating stories waiting to be discovered in Australia, and that alone makes it worth exploring. You can also see that in its nature. Around 80 percent of all animal and plant life is native to the continent, and given that it’s such a hostile, hot and flat environment, there’s a stunning abundance of it.
But the country’s vastness makes an exact headcount difficult. It’s estimated there could be around 100,000 species of insects, but the true number could be double that. A good 30 percent of all insects are entirely unknown, while for spiders the number is closer to 80 percent!
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What is In a Sunburned Country about?
In a Sunburned Country (2000) is Bill Bryson’s personal account of his time traveling around Australia. With stopovers in major cities, out-of-the-way mining towns and treks through the vast wilderness, it’s a travelogue packed with insights into the history, culture and wildlife of this unique nation.
In a Sunburned Country Review
In a Sunburned Country (2000) by Bill Bryson is an entertaining travelogue that explores the unique wonders of Australia. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With his humorous observations and witty storytelling, Bryson brings the Australian landscape and culture to life, making it an enjoyable and engaging read.
- The author's extensive research and historical anecdotes provide readers with fascinating insights into the country's geography, wildlife, and Aboriginal history.
- Through his adventures and misadventures while traveling across Australia, Bryson captures the essence of the country's adventurous spirit and invites readers to join in the excitement.
Best quote from In a Sunburned Country
In 1967, Harold Holt, the Australian prime minister at the time, plunged into the ocean somewhere along the coast of Victoria and was never seen again.
—Bill Bryson
Who should read In a Sunburned Country?
- Globetrotters
- Historians
- Lovers of nature and wildlife
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In a Sunburned Country FAQs
What is the main message of In a Sunburned Country?
Discover the immense beauty, unique wildlife, and intriguing history of Australia through the eyes of Bill Bryson.
How long does it take to read In a Sunburned Country?
The reading time for In a Sunburned Country varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is In a Sunburned Country a good book? Is it worth reading?
In a Sunburned Country is a delightful read filled with humor, adventure, and fascinating insights about Australia. It's definitely worth your time.
Who is the author of In a Sunburned Country?
The author of In a Sunburned Country is Bill Bryson.
What to read after In a Sunburned Country?
If you're wondering what to read next after In a Sunburned Country, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
- Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
- Mind Magic by James R. Doty
- Cobalt Red by Siddharth Kara
- Unfu*k Yourself by Gary John Bishop
- The Daily Laws by Robert Greene
- The Horse by Timothy C. Winegard
- This Is Why You Dream by Rahul Jandial
- The Art of Travel by Alain De Botton
- The Fifth Agreement by Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz