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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
We listened to this- narrated by the author, and he does a great job, with his odd, quasi Brit accent. Liked the book- listening in the car, got a little difficult to keep track of some of the historical figures- and he reviews many-but very enjoyable.
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
There’s so much information packed in here that it’s unlikely that all of it could interest a single person. That’s what made this such a good audiobook, since I could just sort of zone out when something was not as intriguing to me personally. For the most part, though, I found each section interesting in its own way, and I learned all kinds of interesting tidbits that inspire me to learn even more. I loved the way this book was organized by room, rather than as a dry chronological history. Definitely recommended if you like history, etymology or fun facts.
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Really well-written and charming anecdotal history but lacking a lil in terms of organization. Still a fun read though! I enjoyed it
My first Bill Bryson book. Very long, challenging to read, but well worth it. I learned so many amazing things!
Brilliant, as always. Bill Bryson is the history teacher everyone SHOULD have had. Everything becomes fascinating (or at least worth a second look).
This was my first book by Bill Bryson so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised in some areas and not so much in others. The basis of the book is that Bryson walks from room to room in the rectory in which he lives talking about it's history and that of the things in it. I learned far more than I ever thought I would about the origin of words that we use in everyday life around the home. I enjoyed hearing about how certain pieces of furniture came to be and how the room had been used over time. I did struggle withi his digressions though. I was informed that this is a common "problem" in all of this books, but it drove me to distraction. Other than that I cannot wait to read more of his writing.
Very interesting format for a history book. I love trivia and history and etymology, and that’s pretty much this book. I realized in reading this just how much history I have learned from podcasts as a lot of the stories and characters were familiar. It felt like coming across old friends. (Samuel Pepys, I’m looking at you!)
Bill Bryson has the most wonderful, meandering way of telling his stories and somehow, they eventually circle back. In At Home, he has used the rooms of his house to weave a complicated web of historical bits and bobs. It was a fascinating and humorous read in which I learned much. Oddly, I was even able to *reference something* I had just learned in the book while out in the real world. How funny is that?
Bill Bryson is so so funny! I'm only half-way through, and may have to take it in small doses, but it's laugh-out-loud funny every few pages.
Okay, it's much funnier reading it myself than listening to him read it on the CD...sorry, Bill.
Abandoned...
Okay, it's much funnier reading it myself than listening to him read it on the CD...sorry, Bill.
Abandoned...
Just wonderful. What I liked most about this book was that it's cram packed with facts, but still an amazing read. He has such a way with words.
I caught myself wondering again and again, how did the human race make it this far - so many obstacles to overcome first, like toilets that flush the waste away, instead of firing it back into the bathroom!! Beds that aren't just breeding grounds for rats and lice...
I caught myself wondering again and again, how did the human race make it this far - so many obstacles to overcome first, like toilets that flush the waste away, instead of firing it back into the bathroom!! Beds that aren't just breeding grounds for rats and lice...