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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
funny
informative
medium-paced
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
This is the first Bryson book I read. I could not put it down. Everything you ever wanted to know about the history of the private home (and lots you didn't know that you wanted to know) is contained within.
Sorry, Bill, I could not finish this one. Twas a tad too long for me and the focus was much more historical instead of humorous. Great for some, just not for me.
I have to say I really loved this book. It was a long tour through Bryson's vicarage that took me to England, America, France, India, China and a few other locations that escape me. I learned about pre-history, the Industrial Revolution, the Georgian and Federal Periods, and more. There is so much in this "short" history that I feel like an expert on more than a few topics (kidding). If you enjoy the history of regular old people and how they lived, or have ever pondered on just why something is the way that it is, then you will adore At Home. It has been quite a while since I read a book I could not put down, and even longer since I've read a non-fiction book I could not put down. This is one of them. Utterly fascinating.
Slow, required to much visuals for an audio book
An interesting and often fascinating meander through collected histories that have affected our domestic life. Thoroughly enjoyable.
This is one of the most fascinating, yet boring books I’ve ever read. If I were Bill Bryson’s editor, I would have changed the title to At Home: A Million Tangents Of Private Life. My husband downloaded the audiobook and has listened to it twice already (he’s a huge Bryson fan!). While driving, I’d hear pieces here and there and I thought to myself, “I’ve got to read this book.” While I read it, I discussed it with my husband. He didn’t agree with me when I said that I thought Bryson was often piggy backing from tangent to tangent. Each chapter is devoted to certain rooms in the home such as: Kitchen, Bedroom, Hallway, Nursery, Cellar, Attic, and on and on. Bryson explains in great detail the history and evolution of each room.
I recently left my career so I could be a full-time stay-at-home-mom (aka domestic engineer). So I spend a lot of time at home. I love reading books on homemaking and the evolution of domestic living, so I assumed I was going to love At Home. And ya know what? I did… when Bryson was on the subject of life at home. But so many times, he’d throw in a story about this person who knew that guy who was related to the aristocrat that moved to America and blah blah blah! In all honesty, if I didn’t have the audiobook, I would have abandoned the paper edition.
There is also an illustrated edition that I checked out of our library to compliment my audio readings. The pictures are very interesting and gave me a clear visual of the topic at hand. He even threw in pics of those people. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Would I recommend this book? ABSOLUTELY!!! But I’d recommend the audiobook so you can clean your house while listening to Bryson describe the filth that we’ve pretty much left in the past. When a boring tangent is thrown in, tune him out, like I did
One thing is certain, we have it easy today with our clean water, electric or gas powered washers/dryers, medications and the list goes on and on….
I recently left my career so I could be a full-time stay-at-home-mom (aka domestic engineer). So I spend a lot of time at home. I love reading books on homemaking and the evolution of domestic living, so I assumed I was going to love At Home. And ya know what? I did… when Bryson was on the subject of life at home. But so many times, he’d throw in a story about this person who knew that guy who was related to the aristocrat that moved to America and blah blah blah! In all honesty, if I didn’t have the audiobook, I would have abandoned the paper edition.
There is also an illustrated edition that I checked out of our library to compliment my audio readings. The pictures are very interesting and gave me a clear visual of the topic at hand. He even threw in pics of those people. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Would I recommend this book? ABSOLUTELY!!! But I’d recommend the audiobook so you can clean your house while listening to Bryson describe the filth that we’ve pretty much left in the past. When a boring tangent is thrown in, tune him out, like I did
One thing is certain, we have it easy today with our clean water, electric or gas powered washers/dryers, medications and the list goes on and on….
A solid 4 stars. I stopped at 55%. I feel my attention has lapsed. Lots of facts and knowledge packed in this book. I enjoy listening to Bill Bryson. But 'tis the season for something lighter.
Apparently Bryson no longer writes humorous non-fiction, and just writes esoteric history with periodic quips about people's strange names (is the last name Worm THAT funny?). I've been liking his books a little less in the last few years, and I just couldn't even get through the end on this one.