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.
