Short description
After nearly two decades in England, Bill Bryson returned to the country of his birth. Gathered here are 18 months' worth of his Mail on Sunday columns about that strange phenomena, the American way of life, in which he brings his bemused wit to bear.
Long description
Des Moines, Iowa born writer Bryson's first success was the travel book The Lost Continent . After living in England for several years, he wanted to go back to the USA to find the perfect little US town of his past, he lovingly called Amalgam. More travel books followed, in the form of Neither Here Nor There (where he travels through Europe), Notes From A Small Island (where he travels around the United Kingdom, before returning back with his to the USA to live there for good) and A Walk In The Woods (where he walks the Appalachian trail). After moving back to the States, Bryson started to write a column for The Mail on Sunday Night and Day magazine. This is a collection of these column entries. Bryson writes about everything from everyday chores, to sueing people, the beach, TV, movies, air conditioners, college, Americana, injury dangers, wasting resources and holiday seasons.
Review
'Here's a fact for you. According to the latest Statistical Abstract of the USA, every year more than 400,000 Americans suffer injuries involving beds, mattresses or pillows... In the time it takes you to read this article, four Americans will somehow manage to be wounded by their bedding...' So begins one of 78 of Bryson's hilarious weekly dispatches written for The Mail on Sunday. These wide-ranging, pacey articles deal with many aspects of life in America as experienced by Bryson on his return from a 20-year stay in England. And there are no limits to the breadth of his world view, from miracles of modern technology such as garbage disposal machines, through sheriffs, computers and a visit to the barbers, not forgetting the joys of nature, under the intriguing heading 'Our Friend the Moose'. Bryson is inimitable. How can you resist? (Kirkus UK)