Scan barcode
eggjen's review
3.0
The stories were funny but after awhile they kinda blended together and felt like the same thing happening over and over again which is probably true but boring to read about
numbat's review
funny
informative
fast-paced
3.0
A fun little book on a rather complex and potentially sad topic.
markcastaneda's review
4.0
Good, witty, pleasant book to read. I enjoyed the jabs and format, great book to read on trains/flights, on work breaks, etc. many short and disconnected recounts.
lynguy1's review
2.0
An Atlas of Extinct Countries by Gideon Defoe gives a small amount of information about 48 nations that do not exist today. Categorizing this book as historical humor or geography is probably most appropriate.
The way the book was organized did not work well for me. It is organized by how the country was founded (person, mistake, lies, etc.). It would have flowed better for me if it had been organized by region and then in chronological order. It only includes 48 nations and does not intend to be comprehensive. Highlighting con men, racists, and mistakes, the light-hearted approach used by the author did not work for me. Instead, it was often sad or worse.
The text entries for each country are a brief two or three pages, but do include a map, and the country they are now part of as well as some interesting bits about its founding, life, and demise. Some existed for hundreds of years while others existed for a day. There is a bibliography at the end as well as information on selected flags and anthems.
Overall, this was interesting, but felt disorganized.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
The way the book was organized did not work well for me. It is organized by how the country was founded (person, mistake, lies, etc.). It would have flowed better for me if it had been organized by region and then in chronological order. It only includes 48 nations and does not intend to be comprehensive. Highlighting con men, racists, and mistakes, the light-hearted approach used by the author did not work for me. Instead, it was often sad or worse.
The text entries for each country are a brief two or three pages, but do include a map, and the country they are now part of as well as some interesting bits about its founding, life, and demise. Some existed for hundreds of years while others existed for a day. There is a bibliography at the end as well as information on selected flags and anthems.
Overall, this was interesting, but felt disorganized.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
zippz's review
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
Interesting, though I'd rather they cover each place with a little more detail and nuance. They cared more about being funny than being accurate, which is sometimes what I'm in the mood for, but not what I was expecting going in.