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| A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World | 
 enlarge | Author: Tony Horwitz
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Category: Book
List Price: $27.50
Buy New: $14.00
You Save: $13.50 (49%)
New (38) Used (20) Collectible (9) from $12.74
Avg. Customer Rating:  41 reviews
Sales Rank: 2460
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 464
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.5
ISBN: 0805076034
Dewey Decimal Number: 970.01
EAN: 9780805076035
ASIN: 0805076034
Publication Date: April 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Do read it, but not up to his usual standard July 19, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I heard Mr. Horwitz speak a few years ago. He mentioned that he was working on a book about the travels of De Soto. In the source section of this book, he mentions that he enough research on De Soto for three volumes. I suspect that he originally intended to have a book dedicated solely to De Soto and his travels, similar to Captain James Cook in Blue Latitudes. As the book developed, he and his editors thought it best to expand it to the breadth of discovery of North America. The result is somewhat a jumble. There is not the continuity you find in his other books. Chapter to chapter cover different subjects, and are disjointed. He tries to tie it together in a unified theme in the last chapter, but it does not really work.
The initial sections about Vineland and Columbus are a drag to get through. Instead of the usual observations about the current cultures and attitudes of the areas explored, these chapters mainly complain about the bugs, weather, crowds, or lack of crowds. The chapters in the Dominican Republic suffer, I think, because he does not know Spanish. He was not able utilize his greatest gift; effortlessly engaging in conversation with the local population, making them feel comfortable and unthreatened, and capturing their unguarded feelings and reflections.
The sections about Roanoke and Jamestown are the best in the book. These have the good balance between recounting the history and modern reflections that made his other books so great.
Never the less, I would recommend anyone read this, or any of Horwitz's books.
 Excellent book June 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
At first I had my doubts about purchasing this book, but I'm very glad I did. It is an excellent read from start to finish.
Absolutely fabulous ! June 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I hated to see this one end...just mesmerizingly interesting... I learned so much...a gem of a read ! Now what to read next that doesn't pale in comparison? Sigh...
Horwitz writes another winner. November 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was a big fan of Tony Horwitz's other works and this new offering did not fail to disappoint. He is able to weave history and humor into a volume that is hard to put down. It should be on every high school history students' reading list (or college for that matter). As our nation continues to struggle with its identity in the modern era, this book gives a foundation for where and how it all began. Anyone even remotely interested in travel and history will be entertained by this well researched tome.
Excellent journey! May 29, 2008
This book is the latest in a series of excellent historical/adventure books by the great writer, Tony Horwitz. He tells a great story and you realize at the end of the book that you've learned more about history than you ever learned in school. I've read every Horwitz book and can highly recommend them all. Blue Latitudes is so good its stupid. Confederates in the Attic is a hoot. This new book is just wonderful as well. Its definitely on my book shelf!
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