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clownface's review against another edition
3.5
Fun information, but the attempt to use the author's own house as a framing device was, basically, stupid. Wish it was a little less rambling.
skibug's review against another edition
funny
informative
slow-paced
4.25
I will think about pepper differently forever
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
4.0
Imagine the situation, you're pootling round your roof space, and you find a door onto you're roof, that you didn't know existed. It get's you thinking about houses and homes, and wondering about how they evolved into what we have today.
Well that's what happened to Bill Bryson, and given that he's a writer, and is coming off a well received book about Science, he decides to write about the British (and to a lesser extent American) homes, using his extensive home as a jumping off point.
In the book, Bryson looks at various aspects of the home, by looking at the different rooms (the attic, kitchen, and hall, for example), one at a time, and explaining their history. The chapters start widely focused, and whittles it down to considering the room under question (I guarantee that you'll wonder "How's he going to tie this to the room under consideration?" at least once).
Overall, the book is an informative, humorous read. It's well researched, and Bryson knows how to communicate ideas clearly. Does this book seem to be the be all, and end all, of all things on the home? No, but it's a fun read, all the same.
Well that's what happened to Bill Bryson, and given that he's a writer, and is coming off a well received book about Science, he decides to write about the British (and to a lesser extent American) homes, using his extensive home as a jumping off point.
In the book, Bryson looks at various aspects of the home, by looking at the different rooms (the attic, kitchen, and hall, for example), one at a time, and explaining their history. The chapters start widely focused, and whittles it down to considering the room under question (I guarantee that you'll wonder "How's he going to tie this to the room under consideration?" at least once).
Overall, the book is an informative, humorous read. It's well researched, and Bryson knows how to communicate ideas clearly. Does this book seem to be the be all, and end all, of all things on the home? No, but it's a fun read, all the same.
ambergamgee's review against another edition
4.0
I like that I read this during a shelter in place order.
This is the kind of history book I like. It tells history with a sense of humor.
Note: this is definitely about western history of the home, just FYI. Mostly in the UK.
This is the kind of history book I like. It tells history with a sense of humor.
Note: this is definitely about western history of the home, just FYI. Mostly in the UK.
yelsek's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0