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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
Largely, a very enjoyable book. Bryson has a great voice and is a pleasure
to listen to him.
to listen to him.
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Bill Bryson answers questions you never thought to ask. He is a genius. And yet, I have yet to finish any of his books...It probably says more about me than it does about him. (Shut up.)
For having read 15% of this book (according to zee Kindle), here is what I learned:
Favorite Quotes
The Old English word for a slave was thrall, which is why when we are enslaved by an emotion we are enthralled.
The dining table was a plain board called by that name. It was hung on the wall when not in use, and was perched on the diners' knees when food was served. Over time, the word board came to signify not just the dining surface but the meal itself, whis is where the board comes from in room and board.
People in the distant past were not in fact all that small. Doors were small for the same reason windows were small: they were expensive.
For several decades, ice was America's second biggest crop...
In 1859, an American named John Landis Mason solved the challenge that the Frenchman Nicolas-Francois Appert had not quite mastered the better part of a century before. Mason patented the threaded glss jar with a metal screw-on lid. This provided a perfect seal and made it possible to preserve all kinds of foods that would previously spoil.
For having read 15% of this book (according to zee Kindle), here is what I learned:
Favorite Quotes
The Old English word for a slave was thrall, which is why when we are enslaved by an emotion we are enthralled.
The dining table was a plain board called by that name. It was hung on the wall when not in use, and was perched on the diners' knees when food was served. Over time, the word board came to signify not just the dining surface but the meal itself, whis is where the board comes from in room and board.
People in the distant past were not in fact all that small. Doors were small for the same reason windows were small: they were expensive.
For several decades, ice was America's second biggest crop...
In 1859, an American named John Landis Mason solved the challenge that the Frenchman Nicolas-Francois Appert had not quite mastered the better part of a century before. Mason patented the threaded glss jar with a metal screw-on lid. This provided a perfect seal and made it possible to preserve all kinds of foods that would previously spoil.
This rambling social history covers, in no particular order, 18th century men's fashion, Edison's worst inventions, bathing (and not bathing) through the ages, and the difficulty of obtaining pepper -- among other things. Bryson has his usual flair for detail and hilarious description. My favorite book of his so far.
Such a great read, like everything Bryson does. His books remind me of all there is in the world left to learn - he covers literally everything, from the origins of common sayings to how some of our most beloved products (coffee!!) came to be. Must read!
Love his writing and research rabbit holes. This took a long time to finish because we read it aloud as a family.
The chapters are a bit random / stream-of-consciousness, but in a way that's what's appealing about Bryson's writing anyhow. Certainly learned a lot.
I am not unique in this sentiment, but all the same, I adore Bryson. He's the gold standard of being good-natured without being relentlessly perky, blisteringly intelligent without being pedantic and just ... fun. His books always combine wit and wisdom to the very best effect. Going through a house, room by room, and exploring the history (both directly and tangentially related to it) that led to the creation of each might sound a little dry, and could be in the hands of a lesser writer. True, this is largely limited to England (with scattered bits about America), but you can't fault him for not taking in the domestic history of every country and culture across the world. If he did such a thing, however, I would read every last word of it.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
dark
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pandemic/Epidemic