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gadrake 's review for:
At Home: A Short History of Private Life
by Bill Bryson
This is a scholarly, yet surprisingly accessible description of home. Bill Bryson is perhaps the best narrative nonfiction writer writing today. What could be boring, why-would-I-want-to-read-this history is really interesting. He moves from room to room examining why a house is structured and labeled the way it is today. He goes back to the Stone Age and through many ages thereafter. Many words are explained. Example: a drawing room actually used to be called the "withdrawing room", or a place to get away from others. Always wondered about all that 'drawing' going on.
I wouldn't call this easy reading, but it has a friendly tone. While a large book, it can easily be picked up and put down as desired without being disoriented. This is also good for those who like inventions as he shows how people like Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin profoundly changed our homes, and thus our time, tasks and social roles.
I wouldn't call this easy reading, but it has a friendly tone. While a large book, it can easily be picked up and put down as desired without being disoriented. This is also good for those who like inventions as he shows how people like Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin profoundly changed our homes, and thus our time, tasks and social roles.