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 enlarge | Author: Tony Horwitz
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Category: Book
List Price: $27.50
Buy New: $14.90
You Save: $12.60 (46%)
New (27) Used (19) Collectible (9) from $11.00
Rating:  44 reviews
Sales Rank: 9422
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:
 Excellent history - Excellent Read June 27, 2008
Tony Horwitz asks the very simple question - "What happened in North America between Columbus and the Pilgrims?" - a 128 year interlude that seems strangely ignored - and then searches out the answer. Along the way he also searches out where, why, and by whom it is still remembered. A very funny book as a bit of travel writing (think Bill Bryson) and slice of present day Americana, and a very solid primer on the explorations and settlement of North America before the Pilgrims came and claimed to be the first.
It's not quite as good as Horwitz's book "Confederates in the Attic" - but that book sets a very high bar indeed. (If you've never read it, read that one first.) But a solid and enjoyable effort all around.
 Not in my library June 26, 2008
14 out of 32 found this review helpful
The serious weakness in the book is first suggested in the grossly inaccurate colored map on the inside cover of the book. The map and text show Cabeza de Vaca's route as beginning in Texas (rather than Florida)and running through central Texas (rather than norther Mexico). Cabeza de Vaca's route has been extensively covered by well documented historical and archeological studies over the past thirty years with no one faintly suggesting the route identified by the author's map and narrative. The same comment is made regarding the map and narrative regarding the route of De Soto who spent more time west of the Mississippi than he spent east of the river, including the extensive one-year journey to the southwest to try to march overland to Mexico.I understand the interest in making the story and voyage long and strange, but this could have been accomplished within the context of well established academic studies that abound.
great light and at times funny look at "real" history of the U.S June 20, 2008
This book offers a look at what really took place from the Vikings to the Mayflower.
At times serious and other time humorous. well done and easy and too fast reading.
Great read, well written June 15, 2008
I greatly enjoyed this book. While being scholarly sound, it is easy reading. It is the kind of book a teacher of history should embrace.
 Horwitz, as good as ever June 12, 2008
It's been written before that Tony Horwitz "makes history fun". I couldn't agree with that statement more. I've read all of his novels and have been captivated by each of them. His travel writings literally take the reader along on the journey, and the inter-twinings of the past with the present unravel the historical mysteries he explores in a sometimes hilarious light.
I haven't finished "A Voyage Long and Strange" as of yet. I've been reading it very slowly as if it were a reward I need to earn first. I don't want it to end. I really can't get enough of Horwitz's writing. I sincerely hope he's at work again on his next novel.
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