Quotes from book
Holidays in Hell

Holidays in Hell
P. J. O'Rourke

Holidays in Hell is a non-fiction book by P.J. O'Rourke about his visits to areas of conflict during the 1980s as a foreign correspondent, as well as to some less high-profile locations.

P. J. O'Rourke photo

“I can understand why mankind hasn't given up war. During a war you get to drive tanks through the sides of buildings and shoot foreigners— two things that are usually frowned on during peacetime.”

P. J. O'Rourke book Holidays in Hell

Holidays in Hell (1989)

P. J. O'Rourke photo

“What would be a road hazard anywhere else, in the Third World is probably the road.”

P. J. O'Rourke book Holidays in Hell

Holidays in Hell (1989)

P. J. O'Rourke photo

“It had never occurred to us that the Kremlin's new anti-booze campaign would apply to journalists. Now, that's a human-rights violation.”

P. J. O'Rourke book Holidays in Hell

Holidays in Hell (1989)

P. J. O'Rourke photo

“The interesting thing about staring down a gun barrel is how small the hole is where the bullet comes out, yet what a big difference it would make in your social schedule.”

P. J. O'Rourke book Holidays in Hell

Holidays in Hell (1989)

P. J. O'Rourke photo

“There are probably more fact-finding tours of Nicaragua right now than there are facts— the country has shortages of practically everything.”

P. J. O'Rourke book Holidays in Hell

Holidays in Hell (1989)

P. J. O'Rourke photo

“I am no stranger to loud noise. I've been to a Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels concert. I once dated a woman with two kids.”

P. J. O'Rourke book Holidays in Hell

Holidays in Hell (1989)

P. J. O'Rourke photo

“Italy is not technically part of the Third World, but no one has told the Italians.”

P. J. O'Rourke book Holidays in Hell

Holidays in Hell (1989)

P. J. O'Rourke photo

“Only one way to cover a story like this, and make that a double, bartender, please.”

P. J. O'Rourke book Holidays in Hell

Holidays in Hell (1989)

P. J. O'Rourke photo

“The most extraordinary change in Moscow was Arbat Street, the USSR's first pedestrian mall. Of course, there's something a little sad about a pedestrian mall in a nation where few people own cars— the whole damn country's a pedestrian mall.”

P. J. O'Rourke book Holidays in Hell

Holidays in Hell (1989)