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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great concept, slim execution,
By
This review is from: Washington Schlepped Here: Walking in the Nation's Capital (Crown Journeys) (Hardcover)
This book is part of the "Crown Journeys" series, in which the publisher convinces local literary lights to write a book to show armchair tourits around their 'native' town. So Christopher Buckley, former White House staffer, seems like a natural for a walking tour of Washington D.C.It seems painfully obvious on reading the result, however, that Buckley is writing for hire. There's nothing actually wrong with it; Buckley is his usual entertaining self. BUT he doesn't have much original to say and he really seems to be padding to reach the book's finish at a scant 143 small pages of text. You don't need him to tell you what there is to see in walking from the Capital to the Washington Monument, for example. Surely Buckley has some favorite neighborhoods or haunts that you can't get from Fodors or the like, but he is keeping them to himself. The best parts are in Walk 3, when he talks about his days in the Old Executive Office Building, and takes a commercial walking tour of the old Lafayette Square neighborhood. But I can't bring myself to give him credit for the Lafayette Square bits, as he is so clearly just repeating the stories of his tourguide. Go on THAT tour (the guide's name is Anthony Pitch) rather than fork over the big bucks for this little book. P.S. If you need an actual 'guide book' - addresses, phone, hours of operation, that sort of thing - this is DEFINITELY NOT for you; it's just not that kind of book. In fact, since the book has no index, it's not even possible to look particular things up.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I laughed out loud,
By A Customer
This review is from: Washington Schlepped Here: Walking in the Nation's Capital (Crown Journeys) (Hardcover)
First of all, I NEVER buy tour books. I avoid them like the plague in fact. I wouldn't have touched this one if it hadn't been written by C. Buckley, who happens to be a riot to read anyhow, so why the heck not? I loved it. He even managed to not offend my (admittedly swing-voter-ish) Democratic sensibilities. I actually really enjoyed his personal, insider reminiscences, although I am now dying to find out who Mr Code is/was. Call it Buckley's own version of "deep throat," although, of course, Mr Code didn't intend to share his info with anyone. (If you want to know what I'm talking about-read the book). It's thoroughly enjoyable even if you aren't planning on hitting DC any time soon. I basically walked around the Capital, snorting like a coke addict, except without the illegal substance high. I'd recommend this book to anyone who (1) hates tourist books (2) hates tourist buses and matching T-shirts and fanny packs (3) loves being outside and active and (4) has a sense of humor.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Buckley being Buckley...always a good thing,
By
This review is from: Washington Schlepped Here: Walking in the Nation's Capital (Crown Journeys) (Hardcover)
I am neither ardent Republican nor Democrat. But, I am an ardent Christopher Buckley fan. I've read most of his books and find him to be unfailingly witty and insightful. And, if you've ever seen him doing his schtick in person, you'd realize that he doesn't take himself that seriously.So, if you scrutinize this book looking for evidence of partisanship, you're surely going to find it. But consider the way Buckley presents it: screaming across the room to get Dick Cheney's attention, he is self-aware enough to acknowledge that his behavior is a source of embarrassment to his children. And as for those who might criticize his penchant for name-dropping, consider the following passage: "For two years I had a White House pass that allowed me everywhere except, of course, the second-floor residence. One time, hearing that Jimmy Cagney was about to get the Medal of Freedom in the East Room - where Abigail Adams hung her wash out to dry, where Lincoln's body lay in state, and where I once sat behind Dynasty star Joan Collins while she and husband number four (I think it was) spelunked in each other's mouths with their tongues while Andy Williams crooned 'Moon River' - I rushed over from the Old Executive Office Building just in time to see President Reagan pin it on the man who had tapped out 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' and was now a sad, crumpled, speechless figure in a wheelchair. I remember Reagan putting his hand on Cagney's shoulder and saying how generous he had been 'many years ago to a young contract player on the Warner Brothers lot.'" That's typical of the book and of Christopher Buckley's personal style. Just the right combination of name-dropping, humor and reverence. He's silly when can be, and respectful when he needs to be. His 'Washington Schlepped Here' demonstrates a child-like enthusiasm for museums, an insatiable willingness to learn from Park Rangers and other tour guides, and a respectful reverence for George Washington and (especially) Abraham Lincoln. And despite growing up in a family where Franklin Roosevelt was known only as 'that man,' he pays tribute to the enormity of FDR's achievements when visiting both the FDR Memorial and the Holocaust Museum. For Christopher Buckley fans and newcomers alike, this book is a great read.
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