Yank Down Under: A Drink and A Look Around Australia

As an American who lived in Australia for three years, Tim Sweeney has a unique—and often highly comical—perspective on life Down Under. Lucky for us, he has a gift for bringing the reader along for the ride as he observes and relays hilarious stories about the places he visited and the characters he met along the way. And there are plenty of those. Sweeney fills the pages of Yank Down Under with witty cultural observations and historical perspective as he cruises the crocodile-infested waters of the Northern Territory with an Aboriginal guide, jumps into an Outback swimming hole with a busload of retirees, scuba dives on the Great Barrier Reef, and stuffs his face with beers and meat pies at an Australian Rules Football match. Yank Down Under is “info-tainment. It will make you laugh, teach you a few things about Aussie culture, and maybe even have you booking your own Australian adventure.

Readers say Sweeney writes like no one reads his stuff; just what falls out of his head and onto the page. Mixing historical anecdotes with humor and the occasional hangover, the award-winning journalist recounts his (mis)adventures and encounters with the people, reptiles, food, sports and beverages that make Australia a magical destination for many. Then, after each section, he offers a bonus to his laugh-out-loud stories by sharing brief summaries of the must-see spots and the tourist traps to avoid. Yank Down Under is for anyone—even Aussies—who appreciates a witty tale and an adventure on the road. It's also for anyone planning their own Aussie adventure, looking to reminisce about the one they already took, or just wondering if Australia is as exotic and as lively as it sounds. Spoiler alert: with Tim Sweeney playing tour guide, it is!