Scan barcode
kayhem502's review against another edition
3.0
While I enjoyed Bryson's take on the differences in living in America and Great Britain, I could never really get into this collection of short stories for some reason. They were pretty well written and some of them were pretty funny, but overall, this wasn't that great of a read.
nikread84's review against another edition
2.0
There came a moment in the middle of the book where Bill Bryson's wife mentioned to him he was complaining quite a bit. This was the moment in reading the book where I wholeheartedly agreed with Mrs. Bryson, and found it difficult to continue reading the book without wondering when he was going to stop complaining. I must say, I skimmed the last half of the book, and although I do enjoy a dry sense of humor, I think this book was better as its original copy, as newspaper articles - read one week at a time for a year and a half.
crusoe's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.25
I always enjoy Bryson's work. It's funny, a great light read, has some nifty facts that I forget immediately after reading them and doesn't overstay its welcome.
I also think the datedness of Bryson's work is usually part of its charm. It is like opening up a little timecapsule and seeing things from the perspective of people living through -now- historical events.
I also think the datedness of Bryson's work is usually part of its charm. It is like opening up a little timecapsule and seeing things from the perspective of people living through -now- historical events.
da_bos's review against another edition
3.0
Some of these columns (which Bryson originally wrote for a British newspaper once a week) were quite funny and dead-on. I often found myself feeling relieved that it isn't just me who finds certain American habits and customs somewhat strange, quirky, perhaps even insane, even if Americans themselves -- especially those who have never spent time beyond the borders of their own country -- would not think of them as anything unusual or worth commenting on. Made me wonder if I should start a blog or something following in Bryson's footsteps. But, alas, I don't think I'm quite as funny as he is.
bombadalejr's review against another edition
Funny, personal, a book filled with stories you can relate to. Bill Bryson does a wonderful job of capturing his second American experience in a humorous yet self-exposing way.
vortimer's review against another edition
2.0
Somewhat dated - though it shows how much life has changed in the last quarter of a century, and even in the couple of years between the first notes and last.
sarahjaye89's review against another edition
5.0
I am currently reading this book for the second time and I still love it just the same. Even though some aspects (facts and figures, eg) have become somewhat dated, the book as a whole still rings true in today's world. I love Bill Bryson's ability to tackle complicated issues in a simple and straightforward way. His observational style combined with the short essay format of this book really allow the reader to spend a lot of time thinking about the issues that Bryson brings to the surface. He knows when to be funny and when to be serious, and even when I am laughing uncontrollably I still feel like I am learning something.