The Wayward Tourist: Mark Twain's Adventures In Australia

Description

The bestselling book that republished Mark Twain's adventures about his time in Australia, The Wayward Tourist is now in paperback form. At the height of his fame, Mark Twain, the great writer and humorist from Missouri, was facing financial ruin from one of his failed business ventures. Broke but much loved he embarked on a money-raising lecture tour around the equator, making a stop in Australia. The Wayward Tourist republishes Mark Twain's Australian travel writing in which he recounts impressions of Sydney ('God made the Harbor ... but Satan made Sydney') and his view of Australian history (' it reads like the most beautiful lies'). In his introduction, Don Watson brilliantly pays homage to America's 'funny man' who brought his swagger, love of language and wicked talent for observation to our shores.

Don Watson is the author of many books, including the bestselling Recollections of a Bleeding Heart- A Portrait of Paul Keating PM, Death Sentence, Watson's Dictionary of Weasel Words, Caledonia Australis, American Journeys and The Bush. In addition to books and essays, he writes films and gives occasional talks on writing and language.