Holidays in Hell
 First edition | |
| Author | P. J. O'Rourke |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Travel |
| Publisher | Atlantic Monthly Press |
Publication date | 1988 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 257 |
| ISBN | 0-87113-240-0 |
 | This article is missing information about O'Rourke's trips to the Poland, Philippines, El Salvador, Australia, Mexico, and Israel. (April 2024) |
Holidays in Hell is a non-fiction book by P.J. O'Rourke about his visits to areas of conflict during the 1980s as a foreign correspondent, as well as to some less high-profile locations.[1][2]
Places visited[edit]
Lebanon, October 1984[edit]
During the Lebanese Civil War:
Lebanon is an endless series of faces, with gun barrels, poking through the car window... Some of these faces belong to the Lebanese Army, some to the Christian Phalange, some to angry Shiites or blustering Druse or grumpy Syrian draftees, or Scarsdale-looking Israeli reservists
— P.J. O'Rourke, Holidays in Hell
Korea, December 1987[edit]
After the June Struggle, during the chaos that accompanied the democratic elections that followed:
They don't like anyone who isn't Korean, and they don't like each other all that much either. They're hardheaded, hard-drinking, tough little bastards, "the Irish of Asia"
— P.J. O'Rourke, Holidays in Hell
Panama, July 1987[edit]
During the Manuel Noriega regime, and the protests against it:
It's not really rich versus poor. It's more like the Elks versus the Rotary Club. The dentists and bank tellers are mad at the meter maids and postal clerks.
— P.J. O'Rourke, Holidays in Hell
Poland, May 1986[edit]
Under Soviet control and communism.
United States[edit]
- January 1987: Heritage USA
- September 1986: Harvard 350th anniversary celebration
- May 1983: Epcot
- December 1987: Reagan/Gorbachev Summit
Philippines, March 1987[edit]
After the end of the Marcos regime
El Salvador[edit]
During the Salvadoran Civil War
Australia, February 1987[edit]
At the America's Cup
South Africa, December 1986[edit]
During apartheid, but during the period in which activists in the United States and Europe were calling for divestment from South Africa.
Various nations in western Europe, April–May 1986[edit]
[On West Berlin] We bombed the place flat in WWII, and they rebuilt it as a pretty good imitation of Minneapolis
— P.J. O'Rourke, Holidays in Hell
Nicaragua, September 1987[edit]
During the Sandinista period, and when the U.S. backed Contras were waging a civil war.
Now, a lot of people tell me this gray and depressing atmosphere is a product of the civil war ... I have, however been in places where guerilla wars were being fought—El Salvador, the Philippines and Lebanon. Those places weren't like this, and East Berlin, Poland, and Russia were.
— P.J. O'Rourke, Holidays in Hell
Mexico, October 1986[edit]
Israel, January 1988[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Tom Thumb (December 10, 2006). "Holidays in Hell by P.J O'Rourke". Road Junky.
- ^ "P J O'Rourke". BBC Radio 4. February 5, 2006.
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