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olinj's review against another edition
3.0
Probably my least favorite of his books that I've read so far, and I've read most of what he's written. Too much pomposity and not enough humor for my taste. I can tell that the pompous stuff was intended as humor, and maybe if I'd read it back when it was first published, I would have enjoyed it more, but I didn't... So only a 3.
jonnybrick's review against another edition
4.0
Apart from his constant commentary on the size of Americans, as much as the size of America, this is a durable guide to the USA's small towns and vast highways. The world of 1989, when it was written, is still there in 2023: diners, tourist traps, Vegas. A good way into Bryson's oeuvre, and you quickly get used to his hyperbolic style!
kittykate99's review against another edition
1.0
- I was expecting this book about his summer roadtrip through small town America to be a fun look at the quirks and treasures of small town America. Instead it was a condescending tirade about how everyone who lives in a small town is stupid, all American tourists are overweight, slow, rude and not at all adventurous and anyone he can't understand due to any kind of accent (especially Southerners) are borderline mentally retarded. The only towns he approves of are those that have European-like architecture (Savannah and Charleston). I didn't finish this. I like Bill Bryson and usually find his humor aligned with mine, but this book was annoying and offensive.
anneceleste's review against another edition
4.0
This book has me laughing out loud! The author grew up in Iowa and when grown, moved to Great Britain. He comes back to the U.S. in a nostalgic bid to remember his childhood, after his father passes away. While some of what he has to say is biting and critical, most of it is hysterical!
dappadave's review against another edition
5.0
It's been a while since I've sat down and enjoyed some Bill Bryson, so when this book was gifted to me over Christmas, I anxiously jumped right into it. And boy am I glad I did. As usual, Bryson is witty, intellectual, and above all else REAL. He doesn't sugar coat anything and tells it like it is in a dryly hilarious way. This book was about his travels in small town America. Travelling through the tourist traps and small towns of America has always been on my bucket list, but, honestly, after reading this book, I'm thinking twice about doing such a thing. Bryson seemed to be consistently bored with the things he was seeing around him as he searched for his perfect, idyllic small town. More or less, the accents changed, but the "new America" stayed the same...an America filled with strip malls, fast food places, and tourist traps filled with cheap junk made in Japan to purchase. It was only upon Bryson's return to his childhood home in Des Moines that he realized how lucky he was to be from this seemingly boring midwestern town....our search for the ideal may simply be a search for the home we all, at once point or another, leave behind.
This was such a great read...one I will undoubtedly return to eventually. Looking forward to tackling more Bryson this year!
This was such a great read...one I will undoubtedly return to eventually. Looking forward to tackling more Bryson this year!
midwinteraz's review against another edition
Too cynical and mean spirited for my taste.
jaymytro's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite Bill Bryson, but still a fun trip to take with him. There were entertaining anecdotes and stories but the throughline wasn't as strong as some of his other books.
ashleywinchester's review against another edition
3.0
Bill Bryson takes a road trip around the U.S., hates just about all of it, reinforces American stereotypes and generally pokes fun of everything. It's humorous, I guess? But kind of complainy, which can get old.
tomasfish3's review against another edition
5.0
I've decided that during lockdown I'm going to re-read Bill Bryson's five major travel books, and this was the first one.
All five are on my list of favourite books so the reviews won't be unbiased.
I know in this one Bryson is grumpy and unhappy with the state of America, but I could read it over and over again and not get bored. Highlights of this are his sarcastic encounters with waitresses and motel managers, his visit to Holcomb, and Donald Trump cropping up before he was set to ruin the world.
Onto Neither Here Nor There next!
All five are on my list of favourite books so the reviews won't be unbiased.
I know in this one Bryson is grumpy and unhappy with the state of America, but I could read it over and over again and not get bored. Highlights of this are his sarcastic encounters with waitresses and motel managers, his visit to Holcomb, and Donald Trump cropping up before he was set to ruin the world.
Onto Neither Here Nor There next!