Bill Bryson: The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes From a Small Island | Book Review
Twenty years after ‘Notes from a Small Island’ an older Bryson potters round a much-changed Britain
Monday, June 25, 2018
Bill Bryson: The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes From a Small Island | Book Review
Bill Bryson: The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes From a Small Island | Book Review
Notes from a Small Island - Wikipedia
Notes from a Small Island - Wikipedia
Notes from a Small Island
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
Notes from a Small Island
Notes From A Small Island cover
Author Bill Bryson
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Genre Non-fiction
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date 1995
ISBN 0-552-99600-9
OCLC 60305303
Notes from a Small Island is a humorous travel book on Great Britain by American author Bill Bryson, first published in 1995.
Overview[edit]
Bryson wrote Notes from a Small Island when he decided to move back to his native United States, but wanted to take one final trip around Great Britain, which had been his home for over twenty years. Bryson covers all corners of the island observing and talking to people from as far afield as Exeter in the West Country to John o' Groats at the north-eastern tip of Scotland's mainland. During this trip he insisted on using only public transport, but failed on two occasions: in Oxfordshire and on the journey to John o' Groats he had to rent a car. He also re-visits Virginia Water where he worked at the Holloway Sanatorium when he first came to Britain in 1973. (He met his future wife while employed at Holloway.)
On his way, Bryson provides historical information on the places he visits, and expresses amazement at the heritage in Britain, stating that there were 445,000 listed historical buildings, 12,000 medieval churches, 1,500,000 acres (610,000 ha) of common land, 120,000 miles (190,000 km) of footpaths and public rights-of-way, 600,000 known sites of archaeological interest and that in his Yorkshire village at that time, there were more 17th century buildings than in the whole of North America.
Bryson also pays homage to the humble self-effacing fortitude of British people under trying times such as the world wars and Great Depression, as well as the various peculiarities of Britain and British English (such as not understanding, on his first arrival, what a counterpane was, and assuming it was something to do with a window. It is a British English word that means quilt.) Bryson also recalls first going into an English tobacconist's and hearing the man in front of him ask for "Twenty Number 6", and assuming that everything in Britain was ordered by number. A popular brand at the time was [Players No. 6], and in British English it is usual to ask for twenty (cigarettes) meaning a packet, not twenty of them.)
Reception[edit]
In an opinion poll organised for World Book Day in 2003, Notes from a Small Islandwas voted by BBC Radio 4 listeners as the book which best represented Britain.[1]
The book was adapted for Carlton Television in 1998 and appeared as a six-part 30-minute documentary broadcast on ITV from January to February 1999. The book is available in an audio book format as well.
Heavily abridged, the book was read in five fifteen-minute episodes by Kerry Shale for BBC Radio 4. It has been repeated on BBC Radio 7 several times.[2]
Bryson praises the city of Durham in the book. He later became Chancellor of Durham University from 2005 to 2011.[3]
The title of Briton Neil Humphreys' book Notes from an Even Smaller Island (written on his experiences in the former Crown Colony of Singapore) appears to be a reference to Bryson's book.[citation needed]
Monday, June 18, 2018
Rising above the Babel » The Senior
Rising above the Babel » The Senior
Rising above the Babel
Tuesday, 9th January, 2018
John Piggott
YOU'LL NEVER TALK ALONE - Eckhard Roehrich and Joanne Cho are members of the Central Coast NSW Esperanto Club.
BONVENON al la mondo de Esperanto! (Welcome to the world of Esperanto!)
---
What, never heard of Esperanto? You should: it's the world's most popular constructed language, with a special gift of making friends out of strangers.
Not only that, it's good for you too, says 73-year-old Eckard Roehrich, who only began learning Esperanto in recent years.
"It's an exercise that keeps you active and alert and your mind fit and well," the Central Coast senior said of the language developed by LL Zamenhof in the 1870s.
The retired doctor says that no matter who you are, Esperanto is easy to pick up; he was well on his way in just a day.
Some words of Esperanto
Whereas languages like English and his native German are full of exceptions, Esperanto is "logical and consistent in every respect", he said.
For example, it has a simple, regular structure, the grammar is clear and straightforward, and there are no sound-alike words with different meanings!
But more than that, Esperanto is a community, Eckard said.
"There's always the argument that it is not a living language, that it doesn't have a population, that it doesn't have a country. But it is still a community and it's open to everyone.
"We can travel the world without ever paying a hotel bill. We go from invitation to Esperanto invitation.
"In more than 100 countries you will find Esperantists and you can visit them and invite them back. That's what makes the community and keeps the language alive."
With the rise of social media, these are good times for the language. There are many free sites to learn and practise online.
"Probably three-quarters of my Facebook friends are in Esperanto," said Joanne Cho, founder of the Central Coast club, which meets in Wyong.
"There are speakers all around the world, so I get to hear about what's happening in places like in Italy directly, without having to rely on mainstream media. I use it every day - but not Twitter so much."
Esperanto is the perfect vehicle for learning, Eckhard said.
"Computer language, the sciences, astrophysics - you can teach anything in Esperanto. "
There is even a virtual university, based in the tiny sovereign state of San Marino, inside Italy, where Esperanto is the main language used.
But it is hardly a dry, highbrow language. There is beauty in it, too.
"So many artists, so many musicians speak and perform in Esperanto," he said.
"Poetry, too, There's a creativity to it. You can change words slightly, cut off part of the word, play with the order, as in any poetry."
Treasure Island in Esperanto
Nor is Esperanto a stranger to literature, with Australian author Trevor Steele having won acclaim for his novels and short stories in the language.
And it can be fun. The worldwide Esperanto community gets together for conferences at every opportunity.
From March 29-April 2, for example, the Australian Esperanto Association will hold its Second Tri-Nation congress in Bekasi, Indonesia, promising a feast of theatre and music, excursions, classes, conversations and laughter.
Special guests will include Congolese-born, French-based jazz-reggae musician Zhou Mack Mafuila.
Central Coast Esperanto club, contact Joanne Cho, 0413 087 340, centralcoast@esperanto.org.au
National contact: aea.esperanto.org.au
NSW/ACT contact: aea.esperanto.org.au/nswact
Rising above the Babel
Tuesday, 9th January, 2018
John Piggott
YOU'LL NEVER TALK ALONE - Eckhard Roehrich and Joanne Cho are members of the Central Coast NSW Esperanto Club.BONVENON al la mondo de Esperanto! (Welcome to the world of Esperanto!)
---
What, never heard of Esperanto? You should: it's the world's most popular constructed language, with a special gift of making friends out of strangers.
Not only that, it's good for you too, says 73-year-old Eckard Roehrich, who only began learning Esperanto in recent years.
"It's an exercise that keeps you active and alert and your mind fit and well," the Central Coast senior said of the language developed by LL Zamenhof in the 1870s.
The retired doctor says that no matter who you are, Esperanto is easy to pick up; he was well on his way in just a day.
Some words of Esperanto
Whereas languages like English and his native German are full of exceptions, Esperanto is "logical and consistent in every respect", he said.
For example, it has a simple, regular structure, the grammar is clear and straightforward, and there are no sound-alike words with different meanings!
But more than that, Esperanto is a community, Eckard said.
"There's always the argument that it is not a living language, that it doesn't have a population, that it doesn't have a country. But it is still a community and it's open to everyone.
"We can travel the world without ever paying a hotel bill. We go from invitation to Esperanto invitation.
"In more than 100 countries you will find Esperantists and you can visit them and invite them back. That's what makes the community and keeps the language alive."
With the rise of social media, these are good times for the language. There are many free sites to learn and practise online.
"Probably three-quarters of my Facebook friends are in Esperanto," said Joanne Cho, founder of the Central Coast club, which meets in Wyong.
"There are speakers all around the world, so I get to hear about what's happening in places like in Italy directly, without having to rely on mainstream media. I use it every day - but not Twitter so much."
Esperanto is the perfect vehicle for learning, Eckhard said.
"Computer language, the sciences, astrophysics - you can teach anything in Esperanto. "
There is even a virtual university, based in the tiny sovereign state of San Marino, inside Italy, where Esperanto is the main language used.
But it is hardly a dry, highbrow language. There is beauty in it, too.
"So many artists, so many musicians speak and perform in Esperanto," he said.
"Poetry, too, There's a creativity to it. You can change words slightly, cut off part of the word, play with the order, as in any poetry."
Treasure Island in Esperanto
Nor is Esperanto a stranger to literature, with Australian author Trevor Steele having won acclaim for his novels and short stories in the language.
And it can be fun. The worldwide Esperanto community gets together for conferences at every opportunity.
From March 29-April 2, for example, the Australian Esperanto Association will hold its Second Tri-Nation congress in Bekasi, Indonesia, promising a feast of theatre and music, excursions, classes, conversations and laughter.
Special guests will include Congolese-born, French-based jazz-reggae musician Zhou Mack Mafuila.
Central Coast Esperanto club, contact Joanne Cho, 0413 087 340, centralcoast@esperanto.org.au
National contact: aea.esperanto.org.au
NSW/ACT contact: aea.esperanto.org.au/nswact
Thursday, June 14, 2018
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail: Bill Bryson: 9780307279460: Amazon.com: Books
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail: Bill Bryson: 9780307279460: Amazon.com: Books
Listen
See all 4 imagesFollow the Author
Bill Bryson
+ Follow
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail Mass Market Paperback – December 26, 2006
by Bill Bryson (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 6,977 customer reviews
#1 Best Sellerin General Northeast US Travel Guides
See all 62 formats and editions
Kindle
$9.89Read with Our Free App
Mass Market Paperback
$6.29160 Used from $1.5084 New from $5.363 Collectible from $13.75
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 12Page 1 of 12This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.
Back
Notes from a Small Island
Bill Bryson
4.4 out of 5 stars 6,977
Paperback
$10.48 Prime
A Walk in the Woods: A Walk in the Woods {A Walk in the wood}[A Walk in…
Bill Bryson
4.4 out of 5 stars 6,977
Paperback
$14.23
In a Sunburned Country
Bill Bryson
4.4 out of 5 stars 6,977
Paperback
$8.15 Prime
At Home: A Short History of Private Life
Bill Bryson
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,035
Paperback
$14.22 Prime
------------
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Bryson is a very funny writer who could wring humor from a clammy sleeping bag.” –The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Short of doing it yourself, the best way of escaping into nature is to read a book like A Walk in the Woods.”–The New York Times
“A terribly misguided, and terribly funny tale of adventure.... The yarn is choke-on-your-coffee funny.” –The Washington Post
“Bill Bryson could write an essay about dryer lint or fever reducers and still make us laugh out loud.” –Chicago Sun-Times
“Delightful.” –The Plain Dealer
“It’s great adventure, on a human scale, with survivable discomforts, and, happily, everybody goes home afterwards.” –Times Picayune
Read more
From the Inside Flap
God only knows what possessed Bill Bryson, a reluctant adventurer if ever there was one, to undertake a gruelling hike along the world's longest continuous footpath--The Appalachian Trail.
The 2,000-plus-mile trail winds through 14 states, stretching along the east coast of the United States, from Georgia to Maine. It snakes through some of the wildest and most spectacular landscapes in North America, as well as through some of its most poverty-stricken and primitive backwoods areas.
With his offbeat sensibility, his eye for the absurd, and his laugh-out-loud sense of humour, Bryson recounts his confrontations with nature at its most uncompromising over his five-month journey.
An instant classic, riotously funny, "A Walk in the Woods will add a whole new audience to the legions of Bill Bryson fans.
----------------
About the Author
Bill Bryson's bestselling books include A Walk in the Woods, Neither Here Nor There, In a Sunburned Country, Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words, and A Short History of Nearly Everything, the latter of which earned him the 2004 Aventis Prize. Bryson lives in England with his wife and children.
----------------------
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
We hiked till five and camped beside a tranquil spring in a small, grassy clearing in the trees just off the trail. Because it was our first day back on the trail, we were flush for food, including perishables like cheese and bread that had to be eaten before they went off or were shaken to bits in our packs, so we rather gorged ourselves, then sat around smoking and chatting idly until persistent and numerous midgelike creatures (no-see-ums, as they are universally known along the trail) drove us into our tents. It was perfect sleeping weather, cool enough to need a bag but warm enough that you could sleep in your underwear, and I was looking forward to a long night's snooze--indeed was enjoying a long night's snooze--when, at some indeterminate dark hour, there was a sound nearby that made my eyes fly open. Normally, I slept through everything--through thunderstorms, through Katz's snoring and noisy midnight pees--so something big enough or distinctive enough to wake me was unusual. There was a sound of undergrowth being disturbed--a click of breaking branches, a weighty pushing through low foliage--and then a kind of large, vaguely irritable snuffling noise.
Bear!
I sat bolt upright. Instantly every neuron in my brain was awake and dashing around frantically, like ants when you disturb their nest. I reached instinctively for my knife, then realized I had left it in my pack, just outside the tent. Nocturnal defense had ceased to be a concern after many successive nights of tranquil woodland repose. There was another noise, quite near.
"Stephen, you awake?" I whispered.
"Yup," he replied in a weary but normal voice.
"What was that?"
"How the hell should I know."
"It sounded big."
"Everything sounds big in the woods."
This was true. Once a skunk had come plodding through our camp and it had sounded like a stegosaurus. There was another heavy rustle and then the sound of lapping at the spring. It was having a drink, whatever it was.
I shuffled on my knees to the foot of the tent, cautiously unzipped the mesh and peered out, but it was pitch black. As quietly as I could, I brought in my backpack and with the light of a small flashlight searched through it for my knife. When I found it and opened the blade I was appalled at how wimpy it looked. It was a perfectly respectable appliance for, say, buttering pancakes, but patently inadequate for defending oneself against 400 pounds of ravenous fur.
Carefully, very carefully, I climbed from the tent and put on the flashlight, which cast a distressingly feeble beam. Something about fifteen or twenty feet away looked up at me. I couldn't see anything at all of its shape or size--only two shining eyes. It went silent, whatever it was, and stared back at me.
"Stephen," I whispered at his tent, "did you pack a knife?"
"No."
"Have you get anything sharp at all?"
He thought for a moment. "Nail clippers."
I made a despairing face. "Anything a little more vicious than that? Because, you see, there is definitely something out here."
"It's probably just a skunk."
"Then it's one big skunk. Its eyes are three feet off the ground."
"A deer then."
I nervously threw a stick at the animal, and it didn't move, whatever it was. A deer would have bolted. This thing just blinked once and kept staring.
I reported this to Katz.
"Probably a buck. They're not so timid. Try shouting at it."
I cautiously shouted at it: "Hey! You there! Scat!" The creature blinked again, singularly unmoved. "You shout," I said.
"Oh, you brute, go away, do!" Katz shouted in merciless imitation. "Please withdraw at once, you horrid creature."
"Fuck you," I said and lugged my tent right over to his. I didn't know what this would achieve exactly, but it brought me a tiny measure of comfort to be nearer to him.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm moving my tent."
"Oh, good plan. That'll really confuse it."
I peered and peered, but I couldn't see anything but those two wide-set eyes staring from the near distance like eyes in a cartoon. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to be outside and dead or inside and waiting to be dead. I was barefoot and in my underwear and shivering. What I really wanted--really, really wanted--was for the animal to withdraw. I picked up a small stone and tossed it at it. I think it may have hit it because the animal made a sudden noisy start (which scared the bejesus out of me and brought a whimper to my lips) and then emitted a noise--not quite a growl, but near enough. It occurred to me that perhaps I oughtn't provoke it.
"What are you doing, Bryson? Just leave it alone and it will go away."
"How can you be so calm?"
"What do you want me to do? You're hysterical enough for both of us."
"I think I have a right to be a trifle alarmed, pardon me. I'm in the woods, in the middle of nowhere, in the dark, staring at a bear, with a guy who has nothing to defend himself with but a pair of nail clippers. Let me ask you this. If it is a bear and it comes for you, what are you going to do--give it a pedicure?"
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," Katz said implacably.
"What do you mean you'll cross that bridge? We're on the bridge, you moron. There's a bear out here, for Christ sake. He's looking at us. He smells noodles and Snickers and--oh, shit."
"What?"
"Oh. Shit."
"What?"
"There's two of them. I can see another pair of eyes." Just then, the flashlight battery started to go. The light flickered and then vanished. I scampered into my tent, stabbing myself lightly but hysterically in the thigh as I went, and began a quietly frantic search for spare batteries. If I were a bear, this would be the moment I would choose to lunge.
"Well, I'm going to sleep," Katz announced.
"What are you talking about? You can't go to sleep."
"Sure I can. I've done it lots of times." There was the sound of him rolling over and a series of snuffling noises, not unlike those of the creature outside.
"Stephen, you can't go to sleep," I ordered. But he could and he did, with amazing rapidity.
The creature--creatures, now--resumed drinking, with heavy lapping noises. I couldn't find any replacement batteries, so I flung the flashlight aside and put my miner's lamp on my head, made sure it worked, then switched it off to conserve the batteries. Then I sat for ages on my knees, facing the front of the tent, listening keenly, gripping my walking stick like a club, ready to beat back an attack, with my knife open and at hand as a last line of defense. The bears--animals, whatever they were--drank for perhaps twenty minutes more, then quietly departed the way they had come. It was a joyous moment, but I knew from my reading that they would be likely to return. I listened and listened, but the forest returned to silence and stayed there.
Eventually I loosened my grip on the walking stick and put on a sweater--pausing twice to examine the tiniest noises, dreading the sound of a revisit--and after a very long time got back into my sleeping bag for warmth. I lay there for a long time staring at total blackness and knew that never again would I sleep in the woods with a light heart.
And then, irresistibly and by degrees, I fell asleep.
From the Hardcover edition.
Read moreReturn to Product Overview
-----------------------
Product details
Mass Market Paperback: 397 pages
Publisher: Anchor; 2nd edition (December 26, 2006)
Language: English
-------------
More about the author
› Visit Amazon's Bill Bryson Page
Follow
Biography
Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa. For twenty years he lived in England, where he worked for the Times and the Independent, and wrote for most major British and American publications. His books include travel memoirs (Neither Here Nor There; The Lost Continent; Notes from a Small Island) and books on language (The Mother Tongue; Made in America). His account of his attempts to walk the Appalachian Trail, A Walk in the Woods, was a huge New York Times bestseller. He lives in Hanover, New Hampshire, with his wife and his four children.
, British, and travelled to the most interesting places on earth? Well, you'd get this book...
Do you ever wonder what it might be like to start over in one of the happiest countries in the world? Find out by reading Happier Than A Billionaire!
4.4 out of 5 stars
6,977
4.4 out of 5 stars
--------------------
Top customer reviews
Ari87
5.0 out of 5 starsBill Bryson Binge!July 11, 2014
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Right. Well this book completely derailed my reading list for the summer. I was supposed to be catching up on Criminal Justice texts and memorizing terms from Barron's Law Dictionary... Instead, I purchased Notes from a Small Island and things went out of control from there. It is literally the first time in my life that reading a book made me laugh out loud and uncontrollably, to TEARS. This gem was highly recommended by English friends as a must-read before I make the move to the UK for my year of study abroad this fall. I obliged. Not even halfway through the book, I decided to order more of his books right away in order to have them ready when I finished with this one. That is how my Bill Bryson binge began. Currently I am on my third book (by order of what arrives in the mail first) called A Short History of Nearly Everything.
Bryson is merciless in his observations of British towns and the British in general, but it's all in the spirit of that endearingly cynical, self-deprecating, quintessential British humour. (see what I did there?!) His way of writing puts you at ease and it's like a cross between travel guide, government & history lesson and stand up comedy, as Bryson loves to go off on barely relevant and hilarious tangents. You never get the sense that he is trying too hard or being pretentious, either. A bonus is the glossary he provides in the back of the book for British words like "dual carriageway" and "naff."
The fact that it was recommended to me by English and Welsh friends is testament to the authenticity of Bryson's observations and his comedic genius. Seriously recommend this read if you're an Anglophile or just enjoy a good, fun read.
Read less
50 people found this helpful
Helpful|Comment|Report abuse
McKenna Family Member
5.0 out of 5 starsVery Entertaining!October 24, 2017
Format: Mass Market Paperback|Verified Purchase
As a teenager, I have enjoyed hiking since I was very young. Friends and family have always talked to me about the Appalachian Trail and how they wish to hike it someday. I never knew the hardship one could face, and the history of the trail, until I read A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Bryson is accompanied by his old friend who is very clumsy and completely unprepared for the trail. Together, these two middle aged men work hard every day to move swiftly across the path and in doing so, they slowly become closer and closer as friends. You do not have to be an avid hiker to enjoy Bryson’s experiences and be captivated by situations that occur throughout his journey.
Bill Bryson faces many challenges in the story, such as dealing with annoying people, being forced to stay in shelters that are in bad condition, and his struggles to push himself to finish the vigorous trek. Bill Bryson balances the hardships of this endeavour with comedy in almost every page of the story which makes the book funny to read and strengthens his point of view of the conflicts he encounters. An example of Bryson’s quick wit is shown when he talks about how hikers complain too often about wild animals, “Hunters will tell you that a moose is a wily and ferocious forest creature. Nonsense. A moose is a cow drawn by a three-year-old.” As a Maine resident, I can respect Bryson’s humorous interpretation of a moose, yet most people know there are definitely times this animal should be completely avoided! Bill Bryson’s interpretation of the AT provides valuable information, while his comedic writing style captures your interest, which in turn, makes you laugh.
This book has inspired me to do further research on the AT and motivated me to want to hike it when I am older. Bill Bryson illustrates the problems one may face and in doing so has helped me to understand how I can better prepare for a hike of this magnitude. I would recommend this book to anyone, whether you live in the city and have never hiked before, or to those of us whose passion is conquering peaks in the wilderness.
Read less
3 people found this helpful
Helpful|Comment|Report abuse
Lupine Smile
5.0 out of 5 starsInteresting View Of AustraliaJune 2, 2017
Format: Audio CD|Verified Purchase
Author Bill Bryson takes readers on a walkabout through some of the most beautiful, the most dangerous, and the most breathtaking portions of Australia. Narrated by the author himself, In a Sunburned Country brings alive a world that many are not privileged to see in their lifetimes. Bill's enthusiasm, as well as his propensity towards mishaps, provide a charming backdrop to the interesting information and fascinating details. Whether readers are just interested in learning more about Australia, or are seriously thinking about a visit, I would definitely recommend In a Sunburned Country as a reference.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful|Comment|Report abuse
frances c.
4.0 out of 5 starsWorth a visit!January 25, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
An engaging light-hearted travelogue about the less traveled areas of Great Britain. If you are an Anglophile, or if you have ever traveled to, or lived in the UK, you will enjoy reading this book about some of the cities, towns, villages, and places beyond the beaten track of most American tourists (i.e. London and environs). Bryson, an American journalist living in Great Britain, is the perfect travel guide; his experiences of living and working in the UK, and his rifts on British and American customs are quite entertaining and give the reader unique insights into the British way of doing things. If you are looking for an armchair vacation, this might be it.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful|Comment|Report abuse
cej
4.0 out of 5 starsAlmost an Excellent BookJanuary 30, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Almost an excellent book. It has been said that Bill Bryson can write about anything and make it interesting and I have found this to be true. This book, while entertaining and sometimes laugh out loud funny, becomes a rather lengthy gripe session about what bothers him about England. And these gripes are repeated for every town or village he visits. Still, it is a good read and no one other than Mark Twain could have done it so well. It does remind me of Innocents Abroad.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful|Comment|Report abuse
See all 6,977 reviews
Write a customer review
About the Author
Bill Bryson's bestselling books include A Walk in the Woods, Neither Here Nor There, In a Sunburned Country, Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words, and A Short History of Nearly Everything, the latter of which earned him the 2004 Aventis Prize. Bryson lives in England with his wife and children.
----------------------
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
We hiked till five and camped beside a tranquil spring in a small, grassy clearing in the trees just off the trail. Because it was our first day back on the trail, we were flush for food, including perishables like cheese and bread that had to be eaten before they went off or were shaken to bits in our packs, so we rather gorged ourselves, then sat around smoking and chatting idly until persistent and numerous midgelike creatures (no-see-ums, as they are universally known along the trail) drove us into our tents. It was perfect sleeping weather, cool enough to need a bag but warm enough that you could sleep in your underwear, and I was looking forward to a long night's snooze--indeed was enjoying a long night's snooze--when, at some indeterminate dark hour, there was a sound nearby that made my eyes fly open. Normally, I slept through everything--through thunderstorms, through Katz's snoring and noisy midnight pees--so something big enough or distinctive enough to wake me was unusual. There was a sound of undergrowth being disturbed--a click of breaking branches, a weighty pushing through low foliage--and then a kind of large, vaguely irritable snuffling noise.
Bear!
I sat bolt upright. Instantly every neuron in my brain was awake and dashing around frantically, like ants when you disturb their nest. I reached instinctively for my knife, then realized I had left it in my pack, just outside the tent. Nocturnal defense had ceased to be a concern after many successive nights of tranquil woodland repose. There was another noise, quite near.
"Stephen, you awake?" I whispered.
"Yup," he replied in a weary but normal voice.
"What was that?"
"How the hell should I know."
"It sounded big."
"Everything sounds big in the woods."
This was true. Once a skunk had come plodding through our camp and it had sounded like a stegosaurus. There was another heavy rustle and then the sound of lapping at the spring. It was having a drink, whatever it was.
I shuffled on my knees to the foot of the tent, cautiously unzipped the mesh and peered out, but it was pitch black. As quietly as I could, I brought in my backpack and with the light of a small flashlight searched through it for my knife. When I found it and opened the blade I was appalled at how wimpy it looked. It was a perfectly respectable appliance for, say, buttering pancakes, but patently inadequate for defending oneself against 400 pounds of ravenous fur.
Carefully, very carefully, I climbed from the tent and put on the flashlight, which cast a distressingly feeble beam. Something about fifteen or twenty feet away looked up at me. I couldn't see anything at all of its shape or size--only two shining eyes. It went silent, whatever it was, and stared back at me.
"Stephen," I whispered at his tent, "did you pack a knife?"
"No."
"Have you get anything sharp at all?"
He thought for a moment. "Nail clippers."
I made a despairing face. "Anything a little more vicious than that? Because, you see, there is definitely something out here."
"It's probably just a skunk."
"Then it's one big skunk. Its eyes are three feet off the ground."
"A deer then."
I nervously threw a stick at the animal, and it didn't move, whatever it was. A deer would have bolted. This thing just blinked once and kept staring.
I reported this to Katz.
"Probably a buck. They're not so timid. Try shouting at it."
I cautiously shouted at it: "Hey! You there! Scat!" The creature blinked again, singularly unmoved. "You shout," I said.
"Oh, you brute, go away, do!" Katz shouted in merciless imitation. "Please withdraw at once, you horrid creature."
"Fuck you," I said and lugged my tent right over to his. I didn't know what this would achieve exactly, but it brought me a tiny measure of comfort to be nearer to him.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm moving my tent."
"Oh, good plan. That'll really confuse it."
I peered and peered, but I couldn't see anything but those two wide-set eyes staring from the near distance like eyes in a cartoon. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to be outside and dead or inside and waiting to be dead. I was barefoot and in my underwear and shivering. What I really wanted--really, really wanted--was for the animal to withdraw. I picked up a small stone and tossed it at it. I think it may have hit it because the animal made a sudden noisy start (which scared the bejesus out of me and brought a whimper to my lips) and then emitted a noise--not quite a growl, but near enough. It occurred to me that perhaps I oughtn't provoke it.
"What are you doing, Bryson? Just leave it alone and it will go away."
"How can you be so calm?"
"What do you want me to do? You're hysterical enough for both of us."
"I think I have a right to be a trifle alarmed, pardon me. I'm in the woods, in the middle of nowhere, in the dark, staring at a bear, with a guy who has nothing to defend himself with but a pair of nail clippers. Let me ask you this. If it is a bear and it comes for you, what are you going to do--give it a pedicure?"
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," Katz said implacably.
"What do you mean you'll cross that bridge? We're on the bridge, you moron. There's a bear out here, for Christ sake. He's looking at us. He smells noodles and Snickers and--oh, shit."
"What?"
"Oh. Shit."
"What?"
"There's two of them. I can see another pair of eyes." Just then, the flashlight battery started to go. The light flickered and then vanished. I scampered into my tent, stabbing myself lightly but hysterically in the thigh as I went, and began a quietly frantic search for spare batteries. If I were a bear, this would be the moment I would choose to lunge.
"Well, I'm going to sleep," Katz announced.
"What are you talking about? You can't go to sleep."
"Sure I can. I've done it lots of times." There was the sound of him rolling over and a series of snuffling noises, not unlike those of the creature outside.
"Stephen, you can't go to sleep," I ordered. But he could and he did, with amazing rapidity.
The creature--creatures, now--resumed drinking, with heavy lapping noises. I couldn't find any replacement batteries, so I flung the flashlight aside and put my miner's lamp on my head, made sure it worked, then switched it off to conserve the batteries. Then I sat for ages on my knees, facing the front of the tent, listening keenly, gripping my walking stick like a club, ready to beat back an attack, with my knife open and at hand as a last line of defense. The bears--animals, whatever they were--drank for perhaps twenty minutes more, then quietly departed the way they had come. It was a joyous moment, but I knew from my reading that they would be likely to return. I listened and listened, but the forest returned to silence and stayed there.
Eventually I loosened my grip on the walking stick and put on a sweater--pausing twice to examine the tiniest noises, dreading the sound of a revisit--and after a very long time got back into my sleeping bag for warmth. I lay there for a long time staring at total blackness and knew that never again would I sleep in the woods with a light heart.
And then, irresistibly and by degrees, I fell asleep.
From the Hardcover edition.
Read moreReturn to Product Overview
-----------------------
Product details
Mass Market Paperback: 397 pages
Publisher: Anchor; 2nd edition (December 26, 2006)
Language: English
-------------
More about the author
› Visit Amazon's Bill Bryson Page
Follow
Biography
Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa. For twenty years he lived in England, where he worked for the Times and the Independent, and wrote for most major British and American publications. His books include travel memoirs (Neither Here Nor There; The Lost Continent; Notes from a Small Island) and books on language (The Mother Tongue; Made in America). His account of his attempts to walk the Appalachian Trail, A Walk in the Woods, was a huge New York Times bestseller. He lives in Hanover, New Hampshire, with his wife and his four children.
, British, and travelled to the most interesting places on earth? Well, you'd get this book...
Do you ever wonder what it might be like to start over in one of the happiest countries in the world? Find out by reading Happier Than A Billionaire!
4.4 out of 5 stars
6,977
4.4 out of 5 stars
--------------------
Top customer reviews
Ari87
5.0 out of 5 starsBill Bryson Binge!July 11, 2014
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Right. Well this book completely derailed my reading list for the summer. I was supposed to be catching up on Criminal Justice texts and memorizing terms from Barron's Law Dictionary... Instead, I purchased Notes from a Small Island and things went out of control from there. It is literally the first time in my life that reading a book made me laugh out loud and uncontrollably, to TEARS. This gem was highly recommended by English friends as a must-read before I make the move to the UK for my year of study abroad this fall. I obliged. Not even halfway through the book, I decided to order more of his books right away in order to have them ready when I finished with this one. That is how my Bill Bryson binge began. Currently I am on my third book (by order of what arrives in the mail first) called A Short History of Nearly Everything.
Bryson is merciless in his observations of British towns and the British in general, but it's all in the spirit of that endearingly cynical, self-deprecating, quintessential British humour. (see what I did there?!) His way of writing puts you at ease and it's like a cross between travel guide, government & history lesson and stand up comedy, as Bryson loves to go off on barely relevant and hilarious tangents. You never get the sense that he is trying too hard or being pretentious, either. A bonus is the glossary he provides in the back of the book for British words like "dual carriageway" and "naff."
The fact that it was recommended to me by English and Welsh friends is testament to the authenticity of Bryson's observations and his comedic genius. Seriously recommend this read if you're an Anglophile or just enjoy a good, fun read.
Read less
50 people found this helpful
Helpful|Comment|Report abuse
McKenna Family Member
5.0 out of 5 starsVery Entertaining!October 24, 2017
Format: Mass Market Paperback|Verified Purchase
As a teenager, I have enjoyed hiking since I was very young. Friends and family have always talked to me about the Appalachian Trail and how they wish to hike it someday. I never knew the hardship one could face, and the history of the trail, until I read A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Bryson is accompanied by his old friend who is very clumsy and completely unprepared for the trail. Together, these two middle aged men work hard every day to move swiftly across the path and in doing so, they slowly become closer and closer as friends. You do not have to be an avid hiker to enjoy Bryson’s experiences and be captivated by situations that occur throughout his journey.
Bill Bryson faces many challenges in the story, such as dealing with annoying people, being forced to stay in shelters that are in bad condition, and his struggles to push himself to finish the vigorous trek. Bill Bryson balances the hardships of this endeavour with comedy in almost every page of the story which makes the book funny to read and strengthens his point of view of the conflicts he encounters. An example of Bryson’s quick wit is shown when he talks about how hikers complain too often about wild animals, “Hunters will tell you that a moose is a wily and ferocious forest creature. Nonsense. A moose is a cow drawn by a three-year-old.” As a Maine resident, I can respect Bryson’s humorous interpretation of a moose, yet most people know there are definitely times this animal should be completely avoided! Bill Bryson’s interpretation of the AT provides valuable information, while his comedic writing style captures your interest, which in turn, makes you laugh.
This book has inspired me to do further research on the AT and motivated me to want to hike it when I am older. Bill Bryson illustrates the problems one may face and in doing so has helped me to understand how I can better prepare for a hike of this magnitude. I would recommend this book to anyone, whether you live in the city and have never hiked before, or to those of us whose passion is conquering peaks in the wilderness.
Read less
3 people found this helpful
Helpful|Comment|Report abuse
Lupine Smile
5.0 out of 5 starsInteresting View Of AustraliaJune 2, 2017
Format: Audio CD|Verified Purchase
Author Bill Bryson takes readers on a walkabout through some of the most beautiful, the most dangerous, and the most breathtaking portions of Australia. Narrated by the author himself, In a Sunburned Country brings alive a world that many are not privileged to see in their lifetimes. Bill's enthusiasm, as well as his propensity towards mishaps, provide a charming backdrop to the interesting information and fascinating details. Whether readers are just interested in learning more about Australia, or are seriously thinking about a visit, I would definitely recommend In a Sunburned Country as a reference.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful|Comment|Report abuse
frances c.
4.0 out of 5 starsWorth a visit!January 25, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
An engaging light-hearted travelogue about the less traveled areas of Great Britain. If you are an Anglophile, or if you have ever traveled to, or lived in the UK, you will enjoy reading this book about some of the cities, towns, villages, and places beyond the beaten track of most American tourists (i.e. London and environs). Bryson, an American journalist living in Great Britain, is the perfect travel guide; his experiences of living and working in the UK, and his rifts on British and American customs are quite entertaining and give the reader unique insights into the British way of doing things. If you are looking for an armchair vacation, this might be it.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful|Comment|Report abuse
cej
4.0 out of 5 starsAlmost an Excellent BookJanuary 30, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Almost an excellent book. It has been said that Bill Bryson can write about anything and make it interesting and I have found this to be true. This book, while entertaining and sometimes laugh out loud funny, becomes a rather lengthy gripe session about what bothers him about England. And these gripes are repeated for every town or village he visits. Still, it is a good read and no one other than Mark Twain could have done it so well. It does remind me of Innocents Abroad.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful|Comment|Report abuse
See all 6,977 reviews
Write a customer review
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Bill Bryson - Wikipedia
Bill Bryson - Wikipedia
Bill Bryson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Bill bryson)
Jump to navigationJump to search
For other people named Bill Bryson, see Bill Bryson (disambiguation).
Bill Bryson
OBE HonFRS
Bryson in 2005
Born William McGuire Bryson
8 December 1952 (age 65)
Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
Occupation Author
Residence Hampshire, England
Alma mater Drake University
Genres
Travel
English language
Science
Spouse Cynthia Billen (m. 1975)
Children 4
Website
billbryson.co.uk
William McGuire Bryson OBE HonFRS(/ˈbraɪsən/; born 8 December 1951) is an Anglo-American author of books on travel, the English language, science, and other non-fiction topics. Born in the United States, he has been a resident of Britain for most of his adult life, returning to the United States between 1995 and 2003. He served as the chancellor of Durham University from 2005 to 2011.[1][2][3][4]
Bryson came to prominence in the United Kingdom with the publication of Notes from a Small Island (1995), an exploration of Britain, and its accompanying television series. He received widespread recognition again with the publication of A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003), a book widely acclaimed for its accessible communication of science.
Contents [hide]
1Early life
2Move to the United Kingdom
3Writings
4Litigation
5Awards, positions and honours
5.1Honorary doctorates
6Books
7References
8External links
Early life[edit]
Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Agnes Mary (née McGuire) and sports journalist Bill Bryson Sr. His mother was of Irish descent.[5] He had an older brother, Michael (1942–2012), and a sister, Mary Jane Elizabeth. In 2006 Bryson published The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, a humorous account of his childhood years in Des Moines.
Bryson attended Drake University for two years before dropping out in 1972, deciding instead to backpack around Europe for four months. He returned to Europe the following year with a high-school friend, Matt Angerer (the pseudonymous Stephen Katz).[6] Bryson wrote about some of his experiences from this trip in his book Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe.
Move to the United Kingdom[edit]
Bryson speaking in New York, 2013
Bryson first visited Britain in 1973 during his tour of Europe[7] and decided to stay after landing a job working in a psychiatric hospital[8]—the now-defunct Holloway Sanatorium in Virginia Water, Surrey. He met a nurse there named Cynthia Billen, whom he married in 1975.[8] They moved to Bryson's hometown of Des Moines, Iowa in 1975 so that Bryson could complete his college degree at Drake University. In 1977 they settled in Britain.[9]
He worked as a journalist, first for the Bournemouth Evening Echo and eventually became chief copy editor of the business section of The Times and then deputy national news editor of the business section of The Independent. He left journalism in 1987, three years after the birth of his third child. Bryson started writing independently and in 1990 their fourth child, Samuel, was born.
He has moved around the UK and lived in Virginia Water (Surrey), Purewell (Dorset), Burton (Dorset), Kirkby Malham (North Yorkshire, in the 1980s and '90s), and the Old Rectory in Wramplingham, Norfolk (2003–2013).[10] He currently lives in rural Hampshire and maintains a small flat in South Kensington, London.[8] From 1995 to 2003 he lived in Hanover, New Hampshire.[11]
Although able to apply for British citizenship, Bryson said in 2010 that he had declined a citizenship test, declaring himself "too cowardly" to take it.[12] However, in 2014, he said that he was preparing to take it[13] and in the prologue to his 2015 book The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes From a Small Island he describes doing so, in Eastleigh. His citizenship ceremony took place in Winchester and he now holds dual citizenship.[8]
Writings[edit]
While living in the US in the 1990s Bryson wrote a column for a British newspaper for several years, reflecting on humorous aspects of his repatriation in the United States. These columns were selected and adapted to become his book I'm a Stranger Here Myself, alternatively titled Notes from a Big Country in Britain, Canada, and Australia. During his time in the United States, Bryson decided to walk the Appalachian Trail with his friend Stephen Katz (a pseudonym), about which he wrote the book A Walk in the Woods. In the 2015 film adaptation of A Walk in the Woods, Bryson is portrayed by Academy Award winner Robert Redford and Katz is portrayed by Nick Nolte (Bryson is portrayed as being much older than he was at the time of his actual walk).[14]
In 2003, in conjunction with World Book Day, British voters chose Bryson's book Notes from a Small Island as that which best sums up British identity and the state of the nation.[15] In the same year, he was appointed a Commissioner for English Heritage.
His popular science book, A Short History of Nearly Everything is 500 pages long and explores not only the histories and current statuses of the sciences, but also reveals their humble and often humorous beginnings. Although one "top scientist" is alleged to have jokingly described the book as "annoyingly free of mistakes",[16] Bryson himself makes no such claim and a list of some reported errors in the book is available online.[17]
In November 2006, Bryson interviewed the then British prime minister, Tony Blair, on the state of science and education.[18]
Bryson has also written two popular works on the history of the English language — The Mother Tongue and Made in America — and, more recently, an update of his guide to usage, Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words (published in its first edition as The Penguin Dictionary of Troublesome Words in 1983).
Litigation[edit]
In 2012 Bryson sued his agent, Jed Mattes Inc., in New York County Supreme Court, claiming they had "failed to perform some of the most fundamental duties of an agent".[19] The case was settled out of court, with part of the settlement being that Bryson not discuss it.[20]
Awards, positions and honours[edit]
Bryson in the regalia of Chancellor of Durham University, with Durham Cathedral in the background
In 2005 Bryson was appointed chancellor of Durham University,[16] succeeding the late Sir Peter Ustinov, and became more active with student activities than is common for holders of that post, even appearing in a Durham student film and promoting litter picks in the city.[21] He had praised Durham as "a perfect little city" in Notes from a Small Island. In October 2010, it was announced that Bryson would step down at the end of 2011.[22]
In May 2007, he became the president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.[23][24] His first area of focus in this role was the establishment of an anti-littering campaign across England. He discussed the future of the countryside with Richard Mabey, Sue Clifford, Nicholas Crane and Richard Girling at CPRE's Volunteer Conference in November 2007.[25]
Bryson has received numerous awards for his ability to communicate science with passion and enthusiasm. In 2004, he won the prestigious Aventis Prize for best general science book that year, with A Short History of Nearly Everything.[26] In 2005, the book won the EU Descartes Prize for science communication.[26] In 2005 he received the President's Award from the Royal Society of Chemistry for advancing the cause of the chemical sciences. In 2007, he won the Bradford Washburn Award from the Museum of Science in Boston, MA for contributions to the popularization of science. In 2012, he received the Kenneth B. Myer Award from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience in Melbourne, Australia.
With the Royal Society of Chemistry the Bill Bryson prize for Science Communication was established in 2005. [27] The competition engages students from around the world in explaining science to non-experts.
He was awarded an honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contribution to literature on 13 December 2006.[28] The following year, he was awarded the James Joyce Award by the Literary and Historical Society of University College Dublin. After he received British citizenship his OBE was made substantive.
In 2011 he won the Golden Eagle Award from the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild.[29] On 22 November 2012, Durham University officially renamed the Main Library the Bill Bryson Library for his contributions as the university's 11th chancellor (2005–11).[30][31]
Bryson was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2013,[32]becoming the first non-Briton upon whom this honour has been conferred.[33][34] His biography at the Society reads: "Bill Bryson is a popular author who is driven by a deep curiosity for the world we live in. Bill's books and lectures demonstrate an abiding love for science and an appreciation for its social importance. His international bestseller, A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003), is widely acclaimed for its accessible communication of science and has since been adapted for children."
--------------
In 2006 Frank Cownie, the mayor of Des Moines, awarded Bryson the key to the cityand announced that October 21, 2006 would be known as "Bill Bryson, The Thunderbolt Kid, Day".[35]
In January 2007, he was the Schwartz Visiting Fellow at the Pomfret School in Connecticut.[36]
Honorary doctorates[edit]
Honorary Doctorate, The Open University, 2002.[37]
Honorary Doctor of Civil Law, Durham University, 2004.
Honorary Doctorate, Bournemouth University, 2005.[38]
Honorary Doctorate, University of St. Andrews, 2005.[39]
DLitt, University of Leeds, 2005.
Honorary Doctorate, University of Leicester, 2009.[40]
Doctor of Humane Letters, Drake University, 2009.[41]
Honorary doctorate, King's College London, November 13, 2012. According to King's site, the award was relating to: "Bill Bryson OBE: the UK's highest-selling author of non-fiction, acclaimed as a science communicator, historian and man of letters."[42]
2013
Honorary Doctorate, University of Westminster, 2015.[43]
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, University of Iowa, May 2016.[44]
Honorary Doctorate for services to literature, University of Winchester, October 2016. [45]
Books[edit]
Bryson has written the following books:
TitlePublication DateGenreNotesThe Palace under the Alps and Over 200 Other Unusual, Unspoiled and Infrequently Visited Spots in 16 European Countries[46] 1985-01-? Travel
The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America 1989-08-? Travel
The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way (U.S.) / Mother Tongue: The English Language (UK) 1990-06-01 Language Adapted for Journeys in English in 2004 for BBC Radio 4.
Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe 1992-02-01 Travel Featuring Stephen Katz
Made in America (UK) / Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language in the United States (U.S.) 1994-07-04 Language
Notes from a Small Island 1996-05-16 Travel Adapted for television by Carlton Television in 1998.
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail 1998-05-04 Travel Featuring Stephen Katz
Notes from a Big Country (UK) / I'm a Stranger Here Myself (U.S.) 1999-01-01 Travel
Down Under (UK) / In a Sunburned Country(U.S.) 2000-06-06 Travel
Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words 2002-09-17 Language
Walk About 2002-10-01 Travel Single volume containing Down Under and A Walk in the Woods.
Bill Bryson's African Diary 2002-12-03 Travel Travels in Africa for CARE International.
A Short History of Nearly Everything 2003-05-06 Science
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid 2006-10-17 Memoir
Shakespeare: The World as Stage 2007-01-01 Biography
Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors 2008-05-20 Language
Icons of England 2008-09-09 Travel A collection of essays from various contributors, edited by Bryson
A Really Short History of Nearly Everything 2009-10-27 Science
At Home: A Short History of Private Life 2010-12-05 History
One Summer: America, 1927 2013-10-01 History
The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes From a Small Island 2015-10-08 Travel
------------
References[edit]
Jump up^ Bill Bryson Profile at Durham University
Jump up^ Bill Bryson on IMDb
Jump up^ "Bill Bryson collected news and commentary". The Guardian.
Jump up^ "Bill Bryson collected news and commentary". The New York Times.
Jump up^ The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, p121.
Jump up^ https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2015/09/01/bill-brysons-stephen-katz/71494350/
Jump up^ https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/14/bill-bryson-books-interview-follow-up-notes-from-a-small-island
^ Jump up to:a b c d Stephenson, Hannah (24 October 2015). "Bill Bryson: 'I'm American, but I cheer for England now in the World Cup until they get kicked out'". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
Jump up^ Longden, Tom. "Famous Iowans: Bill Bryson". Des Moines Register.
Jump up^ Bryson. B. 2016. The Road to Little Dribbling. London: Black Swan.
Jump up^ https://www.nytimes.com/books/first/b/bryson-stranger.html
Jump up^ Barkham, Patrick (2010-05-29). "Bill Bryson: I'll cheer for England, but I won't risk citizenship test". The Guardian. London.
Jump up^ http://www.nursinginpractice.com/article/interview-bill-bryson
Jump up^ Gleick, Elizabeth (May 30, 1999). "Notes from a huge landmass".
Jump up^ "Bryson tops 'England' poll". BBC News. 2003-03-06. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
^ Jump up to:a b Crace, John (2005-11-15). "Bill Bryson: The accidental chancellor". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
Jump up^ "Errata and corrigenda: "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson".
Jump up^ "PM in conversation with Bill Bryson", The official site of the Prime Minister's Office(published 2006-11-30), 2006-11-29, archived from the original on 2007-10-27, retrieved 2009-04-10
Jump up^ "Author Bill Bryson Takes Agent to Court". Courthouse News Service. Pasadena, California. December 4, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
Jump up^ The Road to Little Dribbling.
Jump up^ "Bill Bryson Litter Pick". durham21. 2008-03-01. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
Jump up^ "Bill Bryson stepping down as Chancellor". Durham University. 2010-09-20. Retrieved 2011-07-04.
Jump up^ "Bryson to head litterbug campaign". BBC News. 2007-05-02. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
Jump up^ "Contact Us - Campaign to Protect Rural England".
Jump up^ https://www.nytimes.com/books/99/05/30/reviews/990530.30gleickt.html
^ Jump up to:a b Pauli, Michelle (2005-12-07). "Bryson wins Descartes prize for his guide to science". The Guardian. London.
Jump up^ "Westminster setting for Bill Bryson award", 31 October 2005, accessed 21 November 2010.
Jump up^ "Bill Bryson made an honorary OBE". BBC News. 13 December 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
Jump up^ http://www.owpg.org.uk/2011/08/bill-bryson-wins-prestigious-golden-eagle-award/
Jump up^ "The Main Library is being renamed 'The Bill Bryson Library'!". Durham University. 2012-09-25. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
Jump up^ "Bill Bryson Library renaming event, Tuesday 27 November 2012". Durham University. 2012-11-22.
Jump up^ "Mr Bill Bryson OBE HonFRS Honorary Fellow". London: Royal Society. Archived from the original on 2015-10-05. biographical text reproduced here was originally published by the Royal Society under a creative commons license
Jump up^ "New Fellows 2013". Royal Society. 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
Jump up^ "Honorary Fellows of the Royal Society". Royal Society. 2013-05-23. Retrieved 2013-11-24.
Jump up^ The City of Des Moines Proclamation of October 21, 2006 as "The Thunderbird Kid" Day at the Wayback Machine (archived June 25, 2008) (archived from the originalon 2008-06-25)
Jump up^ Pomfret Swartz Fellows Archived October 23, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
Jump up^ Bill Bryson visits his utopia (May 7, 2002), The Independent.
Jump up^http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/newsandevents/News/2008/april08/bryson_takes_to_streets_of_bournemouth.html
Jump up^ https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/news/archive/2005/title,42970,en.php
Jump up^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9XPx3VUr3s
Jump up^http://www.drake.edu/president/historicalresources/honorarydegreesawardedbydrakeuniversity/
Jump up^ "Bill Bryson receives honorary doctorate". King's College London. 2012-11-14.
Jump up^ http://universitybusiness.co.uk/Article/bill-bryson-receives-honorary-doctorate
Jump up^ Iowa Now, "Author Bill Bryson to receive honorary degree from UI," May 12, 2016, URL=http://now.uiowa.edu/2016/05/author-bill-bryson-receive-honorary-degree-ui
Jump up^ http://www.winchester.ac.uk/newsandevents/Pages/University-of-Winchester-honours-prominent-figures-at-Graduation-2016.aspx
Jump up^ http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/magazine/articles/interviews/bill-bryson-interview-author
External links[edit]
This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriateexternal links, and converting useful links where appropriate into footnote references. (May 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Bill Bryson
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bill Bryson.Bill Bryson at Random House
Works at Open Library
Article archive at Journalisted
Appearances on C-SPAN
Review 'A Walk in the Woods' (June 30, 1998) on Charlie Rose
Bill Bryson — A short history of nearly everything presentation at the Royal Society
A brief excerpt from The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid at the Wayback Machine (archived October 15, 2007) (archived from the original on 2007-10-05)
The Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid Reviews at the Wayback Machine(archived April 30, 2008) at Metacritic (archived from the original on 2008-04-30)
BBC Wear - Bill Bryson loves Durham
Interview with Bill Bryson about organ donation
BBC Radio Five Live interview with Bill Bryson about the British countryside
CPRE interview on the proposed South Downs National Park at the Wayback Machine (archived February 17, 2008) (archived from the original)
Interview with Bill Bryson about his career in travel writing.
At Home: A History of Private Life by Bill Bryson: A review, James Walton, The Telegraph, 19 June 2010
Bill Bryson interviewed by Sophie Elmhirst on New Statesman, 14 October 2010.
Bill Bryson interview on BBC Radio 4 Desert Island Discs, February 5, 1999
book Mother Tongue:The English Language corrections
Academic offices
Preceded by
Sir Peter Ustinov Chancellor of the University of Durham
2005–2012 Succeeded by
Sir Thomas Allen
Preceded by
Sir Max Hastings President of the
Campaign to Protect Rural England
2007–2012 Succeeded by
Sir Andrew Motion
hide
v
t
e
Bill Bryson - selected bibliography
Travel
The Lost Continent
Neither Here nor There
Notes from a Small Island
A Walk in the Woods
Notes from a Big Country
Down Under
African Diary
The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes from a Small Island
Language
The Mother Tongue
Made in America
Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words
Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors
In a Sunburned Country
In a Sunburned Country
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER ONEIn a Sunburned CountryBy BILL BRYSONBroadway
Flying into Australia, I realized with a sigh that I had forgotten again who their prime minister is. I am forever doing this with the Australian prime minister—committing the name to memory, forgetting it (generally more or less instantly), then feeling terribly guilty. My thinking is that there ought to be one person outside Australia who knows.
But then Australia is such a difficult country to keep track of. On my first visit, some years ago, I passed the time on the long flight reading a history of Australian politics in the twentieth century, wherein I encountered the startling fact that in 1967 the prime minister, Harold Holt, was strolling along a beach in Victoria when he plunged into the surf and vanished. No trace of the poor man was ever seen again. This seemed doubly astounding to me—first that Australia could just lose a prime minister (I mean, come on) and second that news of this had never reached me.
The fact is, of course, we pay shamefully scant attention to our dear cousins Down Under—not entirely without reason, of course. Australia is after all mostly empty and a long way away. Its population, just over 18 million, is small by world standards—China grows by a larger amount each year—and its place in the world economy is consequently peripheral; as an economic entity, it ranks about level with Illinois. Its sports are of little interest to us and the last television series it made that we watched with avidity was Skippy. From time to time it sends us useful things—opals, merino wool, Errol Flynn, the boomerang—but nothing we can't actually do without. Above all, Australia doesn't misbehave. It is stable and peaceful and good. It doesn't have coups, recklessly overfish, arm disagreeable despots, grow coca in provocative quantities, or throw its weight around in a brash and unseemly manner.
But even allowing for all this, our neglect of Australian affairs is curious. Just before I set off on this trip I went to my local library in New Hampshire and looked Australia up in the New York Times Index to see how much it had engaged our attention in recent years. I began with the 1997 volume for no other reason than that it was open on the table. In that year across the full range of possible interests—politics, sports, travel, the coming Olympics in Sydney, food and wine, the arts, obituaries, and so on—the Times ran 20 articles that were predominantly on or about Australian affairs. In the same period, for purposes of comparison, the Times ran 120 articles on Peru, 150 or so on Albania and a similar number on Cambodia, more than 300 on each of the Koreas, and well over 500 on Israel. As a place that caught our interest Australia ranked about level with Belarus and Burundi. Among the general subjects that outstripped it were balloons and balloonists, the Church of Scientology, dogs (though not dog sledding), Barneys, Inc., and Pamela Harriman, the former ambassador and socialite who died in February 1997, a misfortune that evidently required recording 22 times in the Times. Put in the crudest terms, Australia was slightly more important to us in 1997 than bananas, but not nearly as important as ice cream.
As it turns out, 1997 was actually quite a good year for Australian news. In 1996 the country was the subject of just nine news reports and in 1998 a mere six. Australians can't bear it that we pay so little attention to them, and I don't blame them. This is a country where interesting things happen, and all the time.
Consider just one of those stories that did make it into the Times in 1997, though buried away in the odd-sock drawer of Section C. In January of that year, according to a report written in America by a Times reporter, scientists were seriously investigating the possibility that a mysterious seismic disturbance in the remote Australian outback almost four years earlier had been a nuclear explosion set off by members of the Japanese doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo.
It happens that at 11:03 p.m. local time on May 28, 1993, seismograph needles all over the Pacific region twitched and scribbled in response to a very large-scale disturbance near a place called Banjawarn Station in the Great Victoria Desert of Western Australia. Some long-distance truckers and prospectors, virtually the only people out in that lonely expanse, reported seeing a sudden flash in the sky and hearing or feeling the boom of a mighty but far-off explosion. One reported that a can of beer had danced off the table in his tent.
The problem was that there was no obvious explanation. The seismograph traces didn't fit the profile for an earthquake or mining explosion, and anyway the blast was 170 times more powerful than the most powerful mining explosion ever recorded in Western Australia. The shock was consistent with a large meteorite strike, but the impact would have blown a crater hundreds of feet in circumference, and no such crater could be found. The upshot is that scientists puzzled over the incident for a day or two, then filed it away as an unexplained curiosity—the sort of thing that presumably happens from time to time.
Then in 1995 Aum Shinrikyo gained sudden notoriety when it released extravagant quantities of the nerve gas sarin into the Tokyo subway system, killing twelve people. In the investigations that followed, it emerged that Aum's substantial holdings included a 500,000-acre desert property in Western Australia very near the site of the mystery event. There, authorities found a laboratory of unusual sophistication and focus, and evidence that cult members had been mining uranium. It separately emerged that Aum had recruited into its ranks two nuclear engineers from the former Soviet Union. The group's avowed aim was the destruction of the world, and it appears that the event in the desert may have been a dry run for blowing up Tokyo.
You take my point, of course. This is a country that loses a prime minister and that is so vast and empty that a band of amateur enthusiasts could conceivably set off the world's first nongovernmental atomic bomb on its mainland and almost four years would pass before anyone noticed.* Clearly this is a place worth getting to know.
And so, because we know so little about it, perhaps a few facts would be in order:
Australia is the world's sixth largest country and its largest island. It is the only island that is also a continent, and the only continent that is also a country. It was the first continent conquered from the sea, and the last. It is the only nation that began as a prison.
It is the home of the largest living thing on earth, the Great Barrier Reef, and of the largest monolith, Ayers Rock (or Uluru to use its now-official, more respectful Aboriginal name). It has more things that will kill you than anywhere else. Of the world's ten most poisonous snakes, all are Australian. Five of its creatures—the funnel web spider, box jellyfish, blue-ringed octopus, paralysis tick, and stonefish—are the most lethal of their type in the world. This is a country where even the fluffiest of caterpillars can lay you out with a toxic nip, where seashells will not just sting you but actually sometimes go for you. Pick up an innocuous cone shell from a Queensland beach, as innocent tourists are all too wont to do, and you will discover that the little fellow inside is not just astoundingly swift and testy but exceedingly venomous. If you are not stung or pronged to death in some unexpected manner, you may be fatally chomped by sharks or crocodiles, or carried helplessly out to sea by irresistible currents, or left to stagger to an unhappy death in the baking outback. It's a tough place.
And it is old. For 60 million years since the formation of the Great Dividing Range, the low but deeply fetching mountains that run down its eastern flank, Australia has been all but silent geologically. In consequence, things, once created, have tended just to lie there. So many of the oldest objects ever found on earth— the most ancient rocks and fossils, the earliest animal tracks and riverbeds, the first faint signs of life itself—have come from Australia.
At some undetermined point in the great immensity of its past—perhaps 45,000 years ago, perhaps 60,000, but certainly before there were modern humans in the Americas or Europe—it was quietly invaded by a deeply inscrutable people, the Aborigines, who have no clearly evident racial or linguistic kinship to their neighbors in the region, and whose presence in Australia can only be explained by positing that they invented and mastered ocean- going craft at least 30,000 years in advance of anyone else, in order to undertake an exodus, then forgot or abandoned nearly all that they had learned and scarcely ever bothered with the open sea again.
It is an accomplishment so singular and extraordinary, so uncomfortable with scrutiny, that most histories breeze over it in a paragraph or two, then move on to the second, more explicable invasion—the one that begins with the arrival of Captain James Cook and his doughty little ship HMS Endeavour in Botany Bay in 1770. Never mind that Captain Cook didn't discover Australia and that he wasn't even yet a captain at the time of his visit. For most people, including most Australians, this is where the story begins.
The world those first Englishmen found was famously inverted— its seasons back to front, its constellations upside down—and unlike anything any of them had seen before even in the near latitudes of the Pacific. Its creatures seemed to have evolved as if they had misread the manual. The most characteristic of them didn't run or lope or canter, but bounced across the landscape, like dropped balls. The continent teemed with unlikely life. It contained a fish that could climb trees; a fox that flew (it was actually a very large bat); crustaceans so large that a grown man could climb inside their shells.
In short, there was no place in the world like it. There still isn't. Eighty percent of all that lives in Australia, plant and animal, exists nowhere else. More than this, it exists in an abundance that seems incompatible with the harshness of the environment. Australia is the driest, flattest, hottest, most desiccated, infertile, and climatically aggressive of all the inhabited continents. (Only Antarctica is more hostile to life.) This is a place so inert that even the soil is, technically speaking, a fossil. And yet it teems with life in numbers uncounted. For insects alone, scientists haven't the faintest idea whether the total number of species is 100,000 or more than twice that. As many as a third of those species remain entirely unknown to science. For spiders, the proportion rises to 80 percent. I mention insects in particular because I have a story about a little bug called Nothomyrmecia macrops that I think illustrates perfectly, if a bit obliquely, what an exceptional country this is. It's a slightly involved tale but a good one, so bear with me, please.
In 1931 on the Cape Arid peninsula in Western Australia, some amateur naturalists were poking about in the scrubby wastes when they found an insect none had seen before. It looked vaguely like an ant, but was an unusual pale yellow and had strange, staring, distinctly unsettling eyes. Some specimens were collected and these found their way to the desk of an expert at the National Museum of Victoria in Melbourne, who identified the insect at once as Nothomyrmecia. The discovery caused great excitement because, as far as anyone knew, nothing like it had existed on earth for a hundred million years. Nothomyrmecia was a proto-ant, a living relic from a time when ants were evolving from wasps.
In entomological terms, it was as extraordinary as if someone had found a herd of triceratops grazing on some distant grassy plain.
An expedition was organized at once, but despite the most scrupulous searching, no one could find the Cape Arid colony. Subsequent searches came up equally empty-handed. Almost half a century later, when word got out that a team of American scientists was planning to search for the ant, almost certainly with the kind of high-tech gadgetry that would make the Australians look amateurish and underorganized, government scientists in Canberra decided to make one final, preemptive effort to find the ants alive. So a party of them set off in convoy across the country.
On the second day out, while driving across the South Australia desert, one of their vehicles began to smoke and sputter, and they were forced to make an unscheduled overnight stop at a lonely pause in the highway called Poochera. During the evening one of the scientists, a man named Bob Taylor, stepped out for a breath of air and idly played his flashlight over the surrounding terrain. You may imagine his astonishment when he discovered, crawling over the trunk of a eucalyptus beside their campsite, a thriving colony of none other than Nothomyrmecia.
Now consider the probabilities. Taylor and his colleagues were eight hundred miles from their intended search site. In the almost 3 million square miles of emptiness that is Australia, one of the handful of people able to identify it had just found one of the rarest, most sought-after insects on earth—an insect seen alive just once, almost half a century earlier—and all because their van had broken down where it did. Nothomyrmecia, incidentally, has still never been found at its original site.
You take my point again, I'm sure. This is a country that is at once staggeringly empty and yet packed with stuff. Interesting stuff, ancient stuff, stuff not readily explained. Stuff yet to be found.
Trust me, this is an interesting place.
(C) 2000 Bill Bryson All rights reserved. ISBN: 0-7679-0385-4
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)