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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
An interesting and comprehensive look at both our home and the history that brought us to the homes we live in (note: this history revolves around the history of Bill's British home, so all stories eventually lead there). It is an interesting and intriguing perspective and I look forward to reading more of his books.
Interesting look into the house and how everything in it came to be. He also gives a history of the events leading up to and related to each room. Very informative.
fast-paced
I did a lot more skimming than other Bryson books. It had a bit of his usual humour, but I just wasn't enthralled the way I have been with other things he has written.
Read this in one night. While anglocentric, it's an easy to digest look at the creation of the 'self evident' notions of the house in the West. The functions of the rooms, their decoration, the very notion of privacy and personal space... These were shaped from the Middle Ages forward, but mostly by the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution birthed by England and expanded into mass consumption by America.
It's also a good reason to count your blessings. In order to read this book and write about it I need to
1) survive birth
2) reach adulthood
3) receive an education
Cobbling together the 19th century realities of disease, (embracing hygiene and micronutrial deficiency) and the endless illiterate toil of the working class, that's a tall order.
It's also a good reason to count your blessings. In order to read this book and write about it I need to
1) survive birth
2) reach adulthood
3) receive an education
Cobbling together the 19th century realities of disease, (embracing hygiene and micronutrial deficiency) and the endless illiterate toil of the working class, that's a tall order.
Interesting. Gives the history behind many things relating to different rooms/places in a house. At some points it felt like Bryson was all over, and I couldn't figure where he was going with some tangents.
"Nothing - really, absolutely nothing - says more about Victorian Britain and its capacity for brilliance than that the century's most daring and iconic building was entrusted to a gardener." -10
This book was pretty cool. As Bryson meanders through his English manor, he goes into various discourses on how people lived. It was a neat book and I want to read more of his stuff!
Bryson's books are always a highly entertaining read and this is no exception. It's interesting and reaadable. That said, he's a bit sloppy with his research. Still, was worth my time to read this.
have enjoyed this, but have also found myself distracted by other reads. will finish at some time.