troublesome thunderbolt shakespeare appalachian

books:

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir

44 reviews
Bill Bryson

Broadway, 2007

Those fabulous 50's
A father who's a top sports columnist. Wax teeth, the Butter Boys, infatuation with atomic energy, and a booming post-war economy. Is it any wonder that Bill Bryson (the second) turned out the way he did? Reading this crazy essay is a walk down memory lane for baby boomers. Who could forget crawling under a school desk to ward off the effects of a nuclear attack by communists? Or the rise of rock ...

In a Sunburned Country

396 reviews
Bill Bryson

Broadway, 2001

Laugh til you cry
Bill Bryson's take on Australia is hilarious. I'm going there in a few weeks and can't wait to compare my experiences with him. This is a book that will have you chuckling, laughing out loud and then marveling at his insight and sense of humor. A must read for anyone interested in Australia and that part of the world.

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (Official Guides to the Appalachian Trail)

957 reviews
Bill Bryson

Broadway, 1999

A Walk in the Woods with a Wonderful Guide
Bill Bryson's travel writing is filled with humor, introspection and fascinating information. In this work, Bryson takes us through the trials, tribulations an joys of hiking the Appalachian Trail. On the way, we learn of the origins of the trail, of the flora and fauna along it, of the tragedies that have occurred in it, but most of all, we are left with a deep and profound respect, and even ...

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

56 reviews
Bill Bryson

Anchor, 2006

A MUST for any past, present or future hiker
Heard A WALK IN THE WOODS, written and read by Bill Bryson It is the true tale of the author's attempt to walk the 2,100 Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine . . . although he ultimately was not successful in completing the entire AT (as it is called), it wasn't for lack of trying. You'll find yourself actually laughing out loud at much of his account . . . also, ...

A Short History of Nearly Everything

601 reviews
Bill Bryson

Broadway, 2004

Best book ever written
Bill Bryson's best work. If you aren't taken by the Introduction, you won't like the rest of the book... but if the Introduction speaks to you -- buckle up! I've turned down about half of the pages because of some funny, interesting, amazing tidbit I want to remember. Who knew that science could be so interesting and so entertaining! Bryson's dry humor is just right to bring what could be dense, ...

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir

201 reviews
Bill Bryson

Broadway, 2006

You had to have been there....
There are over 200 reviews for this book that attest to really how good it is. What's most enjoyable is that if you lived during the 50s, Bryson has brought back to you many of the memories all of us enjoyed. This book is laugh-out-loudable while tickling your memory. If you enoy Jean Sheppard and his tales (A Christmas Story), then you are guaranteed to enjoy the Thunderbolt Kid. I was ...

Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors

3 reviews
Bill Bryson

Broadway, 2008

Let's Read first, Review Next
Well the first reviewer evidently didn't read the book, or understand it's purpose. I guess he takes some measure of pride in being the first reviewer - albeit an uninformed one. This isn't a reference book per se, rather it's designed to be a humorous look at words, and to help certain words stand out in your mind as you go about your writing. This is more of a pre-emptive read: it lets ...

Shakespeare: The World as Stage (Eminent Lives)

49 reviews
Bill Bryson

Eminent Lives, 2007

Shake it Up!
Bryson is funny - so there is no better choice of writers to explore a rather dull topic. I was hoping for some new bits of information. Basically, Bryson sifts through other historian's theories & research. Bryson avoids speculation, but doesn't present any new possibilities. The end result is what you'd expect: we really don't know much about England's most celebrated writer. Irony, the ...

The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America

279 reviews
Bill Bryson

Harper Perennial, 1990

Making loving fun of America
Bryson, an American who has lived for many years in England, sets out alone, in a Chevette! (maybe he should have taken a Camry), from his mother's house in Des Moines to re-live the family vacation car trips of his youth and search for the perfect small town. He travels through thirty-something states and finds a lot of nice, dotty people and endearing tackiness. As the Russian comedian Yakov ...

The Mother Tongue

121 reviews
Bill Bryson

Harper Perennial, 1991

Amazing!
This book is a notch above Bryson's other books. And that is saying A LOT! It is compelling, very witty, and overall memorable. It certainly piqued by interested in the English language and linguistics in general. Do yourself a favour, and get this book. You will not be disappointed with this well-researched tome that Bryson produced here.

Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words: A Writer's Guide to Getting It Right

18 reviews
Bill Bryson

Broadway, 2004

Bryson's the best
This is a great book for anyone who loves the English language. It should be a useful reference for writer's, but is also a great 'coffee table book' for those of us who are fascinated to learn there is no 'n' in restaurateur; the official length of an Olympic sized swimming pool; whether a word ends in "-ible" or "-able" or any number of other fascinating right and wrong usage of the language. ...

I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away

220 reviews
Bill Bryson

Broadway, 2000

a hilarious account on coming back to the native land
With "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" Bill Bryson proved to me that I was wrong thinking that "A Walk in the Woods" was unsurpassable. This collection of essays about the United States of America and the lifestyle and often puzzling habits of its inhabitants is a true gem. Now, I might be biased, because I found a lot of my own experience as a foreigner living in America very similar and therefore ...

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir

9 reviews

Random House Audio, 2006

Bryson Scores Again!
Bill Bryson's story of growing up in Iowa is a terrific book. I bought it in large print for my mother, who can read only large print, and who has difficulty hearing too, so this is the only way she could enjoy the book. She too adores Bill Bryson. We love his facility with language, and his many ways of making us laugh. He's a marvelous storyteller.

A Walk in the Woods

1 review
Bill Bryson

Corgi Audio, 2004

All quiet on the Appalachian Trail
This book was written in the style of John McPhee and even quoting him once in a while. It includes facts and people like "The Perfect Storm." Then Bill Bryson adds first hand personal experiences. You can identify with his comments that do not have to be funny to be familiar. This book recounts Bill Bryson's experiences on the Appalachian Trail. The dry facts can be picked up through other ...

A Short History of Nearly Everything: Special Illustrated Edition

41 reviews
Bill Bryson

Broadway, 2005

Factual Knowledge Supreme.
This is the most fantastic book in print. Every human being should read this book. It containes a huge store of factual knowledge. Every person should know at least this much about the universe they live in. This type of scientific understanduing will have a bearing on the decisions you make concerning your future. I am a bibliomanic and have a several thousand volume personal library and there ...

Made in America

56 reviews
Bill Bryson

Harper Perennial, 1996

I'm a stranger here myself, too.
I moved to the States when I was twenty. I was vastly ignorant about the country. I loved this book! Bryson is a spotty writer (not referring to his complexion, but his complete history of everything) but he was spot on with this one. I'm off to buy another copy. I live in Florida now. Since I do, I have what I call my hurricane books. These are the books I read and re-read via ...

Bill Bryson's African Diary

54 reviews
Bill Bryson

Broadway, 2002

A Brilliant Entry and for a Great Cause
Bill Bryson is the funniest travel writer working today, I believe, and even when he takes on what is an unpleasant task - visiting one of the most depressed areas of the world in order to raise funds for CARE, he does it in a hilarious way. In this short little book, Bryson not only shares with us his (by turns) funny and heartbreaking journey, we also get to meet some amazing people. The ...

Notes from a Small Island

272 reviews
Bill Bryson

Harper Perennial, 1997

I wet myself reading this one
Ok, may that was a little lie, but "Notes from a Small Island" was that good. I laughed out loud so many times I cried. He hits the countries mannerisms spot on. Having lived in the UK for many years I enjoyed all of his rants and raves. Sure, some of them may have been a little preachy or exagerated, but the point was to show the differences and he came through with flying colors (or should I ...

A Short History of Nearly Everything

1 review
Bill Bryson

Broadway Books, 2003

Not quite everything, but enough...
I was first acquainted with Bill Bryson through his works on the English language and various travelogue types of books. In these books he proved to be an entertaining writer, witty and interesting, with just the right amount of I'm-not-taking-myself-too-seriously attitude to make for genuinely pleasurable reading. Other books of his, 'Notes from a Small Island' and 'The Mother Tongue', are ones ...

Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe

155 reviews
Bill Bryson

Harper Perennial, 1999

Great Book for those who have traveled to Europe
Bill Bryson is so right on with the quirks of Europe. It's a great read for those who've traveled there, because he can take you back to those moments and make you laugh. I recommend to my friends who haven't been there to let them know how Europe really is. Even after being to Europe and reading his book, I'm still going back there on Vacation !!!

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