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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.
melissa_who_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed it thoroughly. It's a series of essays, originally written as a weekly column for a British newspaper, on life in the US; no through-line, but plenty of random observations and great story-telling. Some of the essays made me laugh out loud, and one or two giggle uncontrollably -- which is quite something when reading in an airport restaurant.