Notes From a Small Island: Journey Through Britain

In 1995, before leaving his much-loved home in North Yorkshire to move back to the States for a few years with his family, Bill Bryson insisted on taking one last trip around Britain, a sort of valedictory tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home. His aim was to take stock of the nation's public face and private parts (as it were), and to analyse what precisely it was he loved so much about a country that had produced Marmite; a military hero whose dying wish was to be kissed by a fellow named Hardy; place names like Farleigh Wallop, Titsey and Shellow Bowells; people who said 'Mustn't grumble', and Ooh lovely at the sight of a cup of tea and a plate of biscuits; and __Gardeners' Question Time__. __Notes from a Small Island__ was a huge number-one bestseller when it was first published, and has become the nation's most loved book about Britain, going on to sell over two million copies. \*\* ## Amazon.com Review Reacting to an itch common to Midwesterners since there's been a Midwest from which to escape, writer Bill Bryson moved from Iowa to Britain in 1973. Working for such places as __Times__ of London, among others, he has lived quite happily there ever since. Now Bryson has decided his native country needs him--but first, he's going on a roundabout jaunt on the island he loves. Britain fascinates Americans: it's familiar, yet alien; the same in some ways, yet so different. Bryson does an excellent job of showing his adopted home to a Yank audience, but you never get the feeling that Bryson is too much of an outsider to know the true nature of the country. __Notes from a Small Island__ strikes a nice balance: the writing is American-silly with a British range of vocabulary. Bryson's marvelous ear is also in evidence: "... I noted the names of the little villages we passed through--Pinhead, West Stuttering, Bakelite, Ham Hocks, Sheepshanks ..." If you're an Anglophile, you'll devour __Notes from a Small Island__. ## From Publishers Weekly Before his return to the U.S. after a 20-year residence in England, journalist Bryson (Made in America) embarked on a farewell tour of his adopted homeland. His trenchant, witty and detailed observations of life in a variety of towns and villages will delight Anglophiles. Traveling only on public transportation and hiking whenever possible, Bryson wandered along the coast through Bournemouth and neighboring villages that reinforced his image of Britons as a people who rarely complain and are delighted by such small pleasures as a good tea. In Liverpool, the author's favorite English city, he visited the Merseyside Maritime Museum to experience its past as a great port. Interweaving descriptions of landscapes and everyday encounters with shopkeepers, pub customers and fellow travelers, Bryson shares what he loves best about the idiosyncrasies of everyday English life in this immensely entertaining travel memoir. Author tour. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. "After nearly two decades in Britain, Bill Bryson took the decision to move back to the States for a few years, to let his kids experience life in another country, to give his wife the chance to shop until 10 p.m. seven nights a week, and, most of all, because he had read that 3.7 million Americans believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another, and it was thus clear to him that his people needed him. But before leaving his much-loved home in North Yorkshire, Bryson insisted on taking one last trip around Britain, a sort of valedictory tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home. His aim was to take stock of the nation's public face and private parts (as it were), and to analyse what precisely it was he loved so much about a country that had produced Marmite, a military hero whose dying wish was to be kissed by a fellow named Hardy, place names like Farleigh Wallop, Titsey and Shellow Bowells, people who said 'Mustn't grumble', and Gardeners'" - Question Time. "Not a book that should be read in public, for fear of emitting loud snorts" The Times "Laugh-out-loud funny" The Good Book Guide "Splendid... What's enjoyable is that there's as much of Bryson in here as there is of Britain" Sunday Telegraph "Bryson is funny because he is not afraid to give completely of himself" Daily Express "Astute and funny...a tribute to [Britain's] enchantments by an unabashed anglophile." New York Times "After nearly two decades in Britain, Bill Bryson, the acclaimed author of such best-sellers as The Mother Tongue and Made in America, decided it was time to move back to the United States for a while. This was partly to let his wife and kids experience life in Bryson's homeland - and partly because he had read that 3.7 million Americans believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another. It was thus clear to him that his people needed him." "But before leaving his much-loved home in North Yorkshire, Bryson insisted on taking one last trip around Britain, a sort of valedictory tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home. His aim was to take stock of modern-day Britain, and to analyze what he loved so much about a country that had produced Marmite, zebra crossings, and place names like Farleigh Wallop, Titsey, and Shellow Bowells." "With characteristic wit and irreverence, Bill Bryson presents the ludicrous and the endearing in equal measure. The result is a hilarious social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain."--BOOK JACKET After Nearly Two Decades In Britain, Bill Bryson Made The Decision To Move Back To The States For A While, To Let His Kids Experience Life In Another Country, To Give His Wife The Chance To Shop Until 10 P.m. Seven Nights A Week, And, Most Of All, Because He Had Read That 3.7 Million Americans Believed That They Had Been Abducted By Aliens At One Time Or Another, And It Was Thus Clear To Him That His People Needed Him. But Before Leaving His Much-loved Home In North Yorkshire, Bryson Insisted On Taking One Last Trip Around Britain, A Sort Of Valedictory Tour Of The Green And Kindly Island That Had For So Long Been His Home. His Aim Was To Take Stock Of The Nation’s Public Face And Private Parts (as It Were), And To Analyze What Precisely It Was He Loved About A Country That Had Produced Marmite, A Military Hero Whose Dying Wish Was To Be Kissed By A Fellow Named Hardy, Place Names Like Farleigh Wallop, Titsey, And Shellow Bowells, People Who Said “mustn’t Grumble,” And Shows Like “gardener’s Question Time.” After nearly two decades in Britain, Bill Bryson took the decision to move back to the States for a while, to let his kids experience life in another country, to give his wife the chance to shop until 10 p.m. seven nights a week, and, most of all, because he had read that 3.7 million Americans believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another, and it was thus clear to him that his people needed him. But before leaving his much-loved home in North Yorkshire, Bryson insisted on taking one last trip around Britain, a sort of valedictory tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home. His aim was to take stock of the nation's public face and private parts (as it were), and to analyse what precisely it was he loved so much about a country that produced Marmite, a military hero whose dying wish was to be kissed by a fellow named Hardy, place names like Farleigh Wallop, Titsey and Shellow Bowells, people who said 'Mustn't grumble', and Gardeners' Question Time -- Back cover After nearly two decades in Britain, Bill Bryson took the decision to move Mrs Bryson, little Jimmy et al. back to the States for a while. But before leaving his much-loved Yorkshire, Bryson insisted on taking one last trip around old Blighty, a sort of valedictory tour of the green and kindly island that had for so long been his home. The resulting book was a eulogy to the country that produced Marmite, George Formby, by-elections, milky tea, place names like Farleigh Wallop, Titsey and Shellow Bowells, Gardeners' Question Time and people who say 'Mustn't grumble.' Britain would never seem the same again. Since it was first published in 1995, *Notes from a Small Island* has never been far from the top of the bestsellers lists, and has sold over one and a half million copies. Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. He settled in England in 1977, and lived for many years with his English wife and four children in North Yorkshire. He and his family now live in the United States. The author took the decision to move back to the States for a few years, to let his kids experience life in another country, to give his wife the chance to shop until 10 pm seven nights a week, and, most of all, because he had read that 3.7 million Americans believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another. Before returning to America after spending twenty years in Britain, the author decides to tour his second home and presents a look at England's quirks and its endearing qualities, as well as those of Wales and Scotland By the author of "The Lost Continent" and "Neither Here Nor There". Bryson moved to England in 1978 and settled in North Yorkshire. In this book, he turns an affectionate but ironic eye on his adopted country.