In The Alps, Stephen O'Shea offers a travelogue of his trip through this incredible European mountain range. Starting in the west, he drives through Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, and Austria. Along the way, he shares the sights (breathtaking scenery, quaint villages, fascinating architecture), experiences (amusing locals, oblivious Dutch campers, heart-stopping roadways), history (famous feats, horrific battles), geology (how the mountains were formed and their distinctive regional variations) and culture (food, language, legends, literary and movie ties to the regions).
I don't normally read travelogues, but this was a nice read. O'Shea is an great writer, and I enjoyed his excellent prose, featuring fascinating facts, interesting observations, and dry wit. As a travelogue, know what to expect- this is not a systematic or thorough treatment of the region in any sense (historical, cultural, geological); it's a retelling of one man's journey through this amazing portion of the Earth, with asides relevant to a particular area. And as this portion of Earth happens to be my favorite part of the galaxy, I quite enjoyed the experience (and now have a few more places on my bucket list).
Rating: A
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