Sometimes, it can be magical when the
author of a well-written book reads the work aloud. Over
the course of a recent roadtrip, I had the good fortune
to be the beneficiary of such a performance. In Washington
Schlepped Here: Walking in the Nation's Capital, Christopher
Buckley shares an insider's view of the history, humor,
and high drama of Washington D.C. as he takes several
easy-to-recreate walking tours. I found myself laughing
out loud in response to his remarkable anecdotes about
the downright peculiar behavior of both those who decided
to create a federal district in the middle of a swamp
on the Potomac River as well as some of the decisions
makers of more recent times. His evocative description
of the Korean and Viet Nam War Memorials actually had
me blinking through tears, and his clear prose created
the sense that I was seeing all the monuments exactly
as he described them. For every minute of the two one-hour
CDs, Buckley's attention to detail, keen wit, and great
speaking voice kept my attention riveted. At the end of
the second disk, my only complaint was that I wanted more.
I found this particularly remarkable because I
have visited Washington a number of times over the past
thirty years. Somehow, though, I missed many of the discoveries
and most of the insights Buckley shares with his readers.
The book is organized into a series of walks that can
be enjoyed by visitors of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
Buckley has lived in Washington since 1981, and he shares
an insider's perspective gained during his tenure working
as a speechwriter in the White House. Throughout the book,
Buckley demystifies and unravels the arcane history surrounding
the founding and evolution of Washington, and this allows
refreshing new appreciation for the "Zero Milestone
of American Democracy." His obvious love for this
unique and powerful city is contagious, and Washington
Schlepped Here (don't you love that title?) makes
me impatient for my next road trip to our nation's capital.
Without a doubt, Buckley will accompany me on that journey,
and I highly recommend that his delightful book be included
in your dashboard collection as well.
