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Tony James Slater
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Kamikaze Kangaroos! A 20,000 Mile Road Trip Around Australia: A Comedy Memoir Kindle Edition

by Tony James Slater (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 2,317 ratings
Sharks, snakes and spiders… He’s going to die here for sure.
Tony James Slater knew nothing about Australia.
Except for the fact that he’d just arrived there.
The stage is set for an outrageous adventure: three people, one van, on an epic, 20,000 mile road trip around Australia.
What could possibly go wrong?

Of course, the van – nicknamed ‘Rusty’ – is a crumbling wreck, held together by the world’s most garish paint job.
They’re criss-crossing the continent through some of the most inhospitable land on the planet – the infamous Aussie Outback.
And isn’t there something about Australian animals being… well, you know, kind of dangerous?

Unprepared, under-qualified and hopelessly inept, Tony battles gigantic pumpkins, mechanical mishaps and suicidal kangaroos, armed only with a thong and a sense of humour.
From coast to coast and on to New Zealand, his companions struggle to keep him safe whilst climbing in dresses, snowboarding off cliffs, and hiking hundreds of miles through the bush.
One thing’s for sure; this ‘adventure of a lifetime’ – if they survive it – is something they’re never going to forget.

So, scull those stubbies!
Grab your galahs!
And put down that platypus.
LOOK OUT, AUSTRALIA!
Tony’s coming…

What readers are saying about Kamikaze Kangaroos:
“…in turns hilarious, terrifying and heart-warming...”
“…will make you laugh till you snort in an undignified fashion!”
“…full of mishaps and occasional crises, told with a wry and self-deprecating sense of humor…”
“…I was trying not to laugh to hard and wake up my family…”
“…please purchase this book so the starving author can afford to upgrade to a birthday doughnut…”
“…you will not want to put this book down or even for it to end its really that funny!”
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  1. Print length
    383 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    February 12, 2014
  4. File size
    3.0 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tony James Slater is a very, very strange man. He believes himself to be indestructible, despite considerable evidence to the contrary. He is often to be found making strange faces whilst pretending to be attacked by inanimate objects. But perhaps his biggest problem is this: he has a mouth so big he is at risk of swallowing his own head.
It is for this reason (amongst others) that he chooses to spend his life far from mainstream civilization, tackling ridiculous challenges and subjecting himself to constant danger. He gets hurt quite a lot.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00IF8QFRG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Various Things (ADT) (February 12, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 12, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 383 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 2,317 ratings

About the author

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Tony James Slater

Tony James Slater

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

***Click the big yellow 'Follow' button to get a message from Amazon when I publish a new book!***

Tony James Slater is an unusual combination of science-fiction author and travel-memoir writer.

He is a very, very strange man. He believes himself to be indestructible, despite considerable evidence to the contrary. He is often to be found making strange faces whilst pretending to be attacked by inanimate objects. But perhaps his biggest problem is this: he has a mouth so big he is at risk of swallowing his own head.

It is for this reason (amongst others) that he chooses to spend his life far from mainstream civilization, tackling ridiculous challenges and subjecting himself to constant danger. He gets hurt quite a lot.

For more information, or to complain about his shameless self promotion, please visit: www.TonyJamesSlater.com

But BE WARNED! Some of the writing is in red.

Tony LOVES it when you make contact - it makes him feel a little less lonely in this big ole' world.

You can follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/TonyJamesSlater

You can harass him on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TonyJamesSlater

And he blogs about how ridiculous his life is at: http://www.AdventureWithoutEnd.com

Please come and hang out, send a message or throw something sticky. But preferably not a stick...

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
2,317 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this travel memoir a fun and engaging read, describing it as a page-turning life adventure travel story that keeps readers enthralled. The book is well-written and informative, providing insight into life in Australia, while also offering good travel advice. Customers appreciate the colorful details, with one review noting how the author turns even the worst jobs and weather into an adventure. Customers describe the book as heartwarming, with one review highlighting the positive mindset throughout the narrative.

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315 customers mention "Enjoyment"302 positive13 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as a really fun and amusing read that describes life's tribulations with humor.

"...An exciting and hilarious romp Down Under, "Kamikaze Kangaroos" is another home run for Tony Slater...." Read more

"This is my favorite of the series so far. Tony has definitely hit his stride as a humor writer and this one is hysterical...." Read more

"This was a really good read. It definitely had chuckle worthy moments along with some sentimental ones as well. I highly recommend this book!" Read more

"...unfolds in Australia, and 3rd book Kamikaze Kangaroos, is in turns hilarious, terrifying and heart-warming... as only Tony can be...." Read more

74 customers mention "Adventure story"70 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the adventure travel stories in the book, describing them as page-turning and keeping readers enthralled.

"...And Tony Slater has a knack for weaving crazy, vivid tales about his adventures trotting the globe, and this time around he would apparently be..." Read more

"...Tony is a master storyteller and he draws you in, taking you on a grand sweeping adventure. I've loved all his books but this one is his best...." Read more

"...But he does describe his disasters well and they mostly happen in interesting places...." Read more

"...The story is part travel guide, part love story, and well the rest is crazy fun. I did learn a lot about Australia and New Zealand...." Read more

63 customers mention "Writing style"55 positive8 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it wonderfully and very readable, with one customer noting the author's masterful job of describing situations.

"...Not sure I believe a word he says, but loving the way he tells the story. Like the van they renovated, sort of...." Read more

"...Tony is a master storyteller and he draws you in, taking you on a grand sweeping adventure. I've loved all his books but this one is his best...." Read more

"...while Slater describes several eccentrics that they encounter with telling detail, there's a certain air of "so what, maybe we're all crazy"..." Read more

"...Tje amount per hpur they earned --amazing Easy reading - Interesting how may people they met who wee backpacking...." Read more

50 customers mention "Information value"50 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative, providing insight into life in Australia.

"I read his previous book and it was as interesting and funny as this one. It looking forward to the next one." Read more

"...Seeing Australia though Tony's eyes is a unique experience. Everybody should do it at least once. I kept wishing he'd come to my country...." Read more

"...If you've never been to Australia or New Zealand, this is a great introduction - not necessarily your normal tourist attractions...." Read more

"...The author is very honest and you can learn alot about Australia and more importantly the inhabitants." Read more

33 customers mention "Travel value"30 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's travel content engaging and informative, with one customer noting it's not your typical travel book.

"Enjoyable read and I learnt stuff about Australia even after living here myself now almost 3 years...." Read more

"...It's funny and touching and a great trip. I was very disappointed when I reached the end. More please author!" Read more

"...like he did...This is an epic trip and one to remember for a long, long time. There are times when I want to yell, "Noooo"...." Read more

"...And he genuinely cares for his sister and their traveling companion (her best friend, who becomes his better friend)...." Read more

28 customers mention "Humor"24 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, noting there's never a dull moment throughout the 20,000-mile road trip around Australia. One customer mentions how the author turns even the worst jobs and weather into an adventure.

"...The fact that the characters in this story are equally colorful and eccentric -- made even better by the knowledge that these are real people --..." Read more

"...Australia, and 3rd book Kamikaze Kangaroos, is in turns hilarious, terrifying and heart-warming... as only Tony can be...." Read more

"...I admire his constant self deprecation, utter shamelessness, and his full acknowledgement of his own shortcomings and also that he admits he's..." Read more

"...He shares in a style that is both humorous and enduring.... like we (the readers) are right there like little birds on his horny shoulder, peering..." Read more

17 customers mention "Visual content"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the visual content of the book, describing it as colorful and vivid, with one customer noting how it weaves a tapestry of the wild continent.

"...continent, one that doesn't romanticize Australia but still presents a colorful and fascinating picture, one that makes me want to visit even more...." Read more

"...We spent a month in New Zealand, too - loved the people and the campgrounds!..." Read more

"...The ladies are adventurous, cute, and fun, adding a new and improved twist to Tony’s life and experiences...." Read more

"...written at a high octane pace the story contains hilarious adventures, lovely and warm hearted characters and bad puns...." Read more

16 customers mention "Heartwarming"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming and happy, with one customer noting it maintains a positive mindset throughout, while another appreciates its lack of mean-spiritedness.

"...3rd book Kamikaze Kangaroos, is in turns hilarious, terrifying and heart-warming... as only Tony can be. Did he really almost kill his sister?..." Read more

"...On the plus side, this woeful trio seems congenial and lacking in any mean-spiritedness. I wish them well on their voyage to nowhere." Read more

"...Tony James Slater wrote another book! Brilliant! Hilarious! Heart-Warming! I fell in love with Slater reading The Bear Ate My Pants!..." Read more

"...The group's joie de vivre and happy recklessness are infectious and while Slater describes several eccentrics that they encounter with telling detail..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kenya Starflight
    5.0 out of 5 stars A hilarious and vividly told romp in the Land Down Under
    Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    As both a longtime lover of anything connected to Australia (I WILL go there someday!) and a fan of Tony Slater's previous book "That Bear Ate My Pants," I knew I had to give this book a read. Anything about the great Land Down Under had to be entertaining, as Australia is one of the weirdest, most diverse, and most exciting places on this planet. And Tony Slater has a knack for weaving crazy, vivid tales about his adventures trotting the globe, and this time around he would apparently be dragging a few more people along for the ride. I went in hoping it would be just as entertaining as "That Bear Ate My Pants"... and I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I daresay I enjoyed this little volume even more than his tales in Ecuador.

    After a series of misadventures that lands Tony in Thailand, completely broke and wondering what next to do with his life, our intrepid explorer opts to check out Australia, on the basis that he already has a sister there. Together he, his sister Gill, and his sister's friend Roo decide to embark on a road trip around Australia, and see all there is to see in the great Land Down Under. Driving around the country in a wildly-painted, one-tire-in-the-grave van affectionately dubbed Rusty, the threesome encounter suicidal kangaroos, take on odd jobs at various farms (one of which leads to Tony accidentally destroying nearly a million dollars worth of crop!), explore a city built into an opal mine, prance around a desert canyon in frilly dresses (and in Tony's case, in drag), get Tony's mother stuck in a cave tunnel, and get caught in the storm of the century at a New Zealand ski resort. If you thought Australia was one of the craziest places on Earth before, Tony makes it even crazier...

    Just like his previous book, "That Bear Ate My Pants," Tony tells the story of his exploits in such a way that even when misfortune strikes, such as Rusty breaking down in the middle of the desert or Tony getting washed down the famous Uluru (aka Ayers Rock), he manages to make it hilarious. And he weaves a vivid tapestry of the wild continent, one that doesn't romanticize Australia but still presents a colorful and fascinating picture, one that makes me want to visit even more. The fact that the characters in this story are equally colorful and eccentric -- made even better by the knowledge that these are real people -- doesn't exactly hurt.

    Word of warning -- Tony does use some salty language, though not often enough that it bothered me. Still, if profanity bothers you, use discretion when reading this.

    An exciting and hilarious romp Down Under, "Kamikaze Kangaroos" is another home run for Tony Slater. I can't wait to read his other books, and hope they're just as fun and well-written.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Priceless!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is my favorite of the series so far. Tony has definitely hit his stride as a humor writer and this one is hysterical. There are so many situations he, his sister and Roo get into that you just can't make up. Funny doesn't begin to cover it. Perhaps bizarre or truly unbelievable or perhaps bonkers gets near to it. His descriptive capacity and dialogue are primo. Looking forward to reading the next one. What a life and a unique slant on how to experience and enjoy it.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Jane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Australia and New Zealand
    Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This was a really good read. It definitely had chuckle worthy moments along with some sentimental ones as well. I highly recommend this book!
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  • Debi Simon
    3.0 out of 5 stars First half hilarious, but second half a juvenile romantic snore
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The first half of this 400 page book had me gasping for breath in laughter. However, it was followed by a sadly disappointing second half which far surpassed the definition of 'sappy' on the Richter-scale to be marketed in the humorous travel memoir category. As the book progressed its halfway point it morphed from side splitting to a slow, slower, then nearly stagnate drifting 6th grade romance about the author's Eros love with an uninteresting chick named 'Roo'. This equates to 200 pages of giggles and 200 pages of dragged out love sickness with a few chucked sprinkled in about odd charterers he encountered. I did like the author's style in the first half of the book however, so I'll try one he penned before becoming an amorous struck 6th grader a shot before I give up on him altogether.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • LJ Ruthemeyer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Our favorite International Man of Injury is at it again!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I stumbled upon Tony James Slater's first book entirely by accident. It was the early days of Kindle, when several eBooks were available for free by self-published authors.
    I saw `That Bear Ate My Pants!' and the cover hooked me. I had never read a travel memoir, much less heard of a travel humor genre.
    And from there, the fun began.
    As one reviewer said, `it would be smart to start with his first book and get to know younger man Tony'.. just out (and I mean `OUT!') of acting school, and off to do what you do when you are 20-something and broke. Travel!
    His adventures in his first book follow his work/stay stint on a wild animal reserve in Ecuador (that doesn't go exactly as he had envisioned. Much to the readers delight!).
    His second book, `Don't Need the Whole Dog!' introduces his family in ways that let you know, not only doesn't the apple fall far from the tree, it barely takes a roll. And then he is off again. Broke and on a work/stay in Thailand, with the idea that he would dive for a living, wound up working for an animal hospital. What could possibly go wrong?
    The end of book 2 finds Tony broke, beaten and arriving in Australia to meet up with his sister. Who arrives with her friend, Roo, and her trusty (rusty) van. Named, appropriately, Rusty.
    What unfolds in Australia, and 3rd book Kamikaze Kangaroos, is in turns hilarious, terrifying and heart-warming... as only Tony can be. Did he really almost kill his sister? Walk nearly 1,000 km? Hoist `goon' on a rope?
    You want to know. If only to find out what `goon' is!
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Ms. L. C. Tuffield
    5.0 out of 5 stars More please!
    Reviewed in France on March 31, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This was a really good escapist read!
    I'm a big fan of Tony - it began when I read That Bear Ate My Pants, which I loved - then I followed up with the headless dog - not quite so good - and now this one.
    He's a man with a mission - to travel the world and at the same time try out as many dare-devil experiences as he can find. In this book, he finds his soulmate and promises to get married. I don't think it means he'll settle down however. His partner is as mad as Tony. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
    I think there's a Tony Slater in all of us, but most just daren't let him out. To be broke, career-less, homeless - and FREE -is the ultimate daredevil scheme!
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  • VIAGGICOM
    5.0 out of 5 stars un libro molto divertente
    Reviewed in Italy on June 18, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Un libro carino, da leggere tutto subito, fa veramente ridere. Ben scritto. consigliato per tutti gli amanti del genere di travel diaries.
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  • IG
    5.0 out of 5 stars What next?
    Reviewed in Canada on February 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Tony Slater`s books are hilarious, entertaining and sometimes "give your head a shake" worrisome. I don`t know how he has survived this long, but I am glad he has because his books are worth a read. I am about to begin reading the fifth one in the series.
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  • Wendywitchiepoo
    5.0 out of 5 stars An accident waiting to happen!
    Reviewed in Australia on April 14, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I have read 3 of Tony's books now and have loved each and every one of them. Roo must have the patience of a saint as Tony is accident prone, given to not thinking before he acts and sometimes darn right dangerous. But it certainly provides him with enough material to fill his books AND he's not afraid to include every embarrassing detail.
    To travel as he does must be so liberating. Sometimes not knowing where he's going or how he's getting there. I'm a person who needs to know every travel detail, but not so Tony. No money? No problem. No transport? No problem. No clue where you are? No problem.
    Let the adventures begin.
    Thank you Tony for providing me with entertaining reading during these crazy times.
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  • Keith Reed
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very funny and enjoyable book.
    Reviewed in Germany on May 15, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    It take a while to realise what makes this guy tick but, once you get onto his wavelength, its absolutely hillarious. Highly recommended.
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