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Bill Bryson Collector's Edition: Notes from a Small Island, Neither Here Nor There, and I'm a Stranger Here Myself | 
 enlarge | Creator: Bill Bryson
Publisher: Random House Audio
Category: Book
List Price: $50.00
Buy New: $28.94
You Save: $21.06 (42%)
New (18) from $28.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 338779
Format: Abridged, Audiobook
Media: Audio CD
Edition: Abridged
Number Of Items: 15
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 6.1 x 5.2 x 1.8
ISBN: 0739342622
Dewey Decimal Number: 910
EAN: 9780739342626
ASIN: 0739342622
Publication Date: October 17, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Notes from a Small Island
After nearly two decades in Britain, Bill Bryson decided to move his wife and kids back to his homeland of the United States. But not before taking one last trip around Britain, a sort of valedictory tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home. The result is a hilarious social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain.
Neither Here nor There
Thirty years after backpacking across Europe, Bill Bryson decides to retrace the journey he undertook in the halcyon days of his youth–carrying with him a bag of maps, old clothes…and a stinging wit honed to razor sharpness by two decades of adult experience.
I’m a Stranger Here Myself
Bill Bryson read “somewhere” that nearly three million Americans believed they had been abducted by aliens–clearly the Americans needed Bill back. So after years raising his family in Britain with his English wife, the brood moves to the United States, and leaves Bill to chronicle the quirkiest aspects of life in America as he reveals his own rules for life.
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| Customer Reviews:
Worth buying but not Bryson's best January 27, 2008
I have always been an ethusiastic fan of Bryson. From "The Mother Tongue" to his recent, "The World is a Stage", Bryson writes objectivly, clearly, and with humurous cynacism. So, I was very excited when this audiobook of three of his older stories came out.
In quick summary, I found "Im a Stranger Here Myself" remarkably funny (just listen to Bryson's explanation of the American phenomana of the attic, american hosptality, or the garbage disposal) from beginning to end. "Notes from a Small Island" starts off exciting, with Bryson reminiscing over his first trip to England as a teenager, while parelling it to his most recent trip as a wiser adult, noting both physical and cultural differences (with an extremely funny account of his stay in an English Inn), although it wanes after awhile, with Bryson seeming to run out of novel things to say as he heads north. "Neither Here nor There" I was dissapointed with. Bryson tries to quickly summarize the nuances of many European countries, noting their eccentricities and habits. I think Bryson bit off a little more then he could chew; you can't summarize the history and culture of Switzerland, Italy, France, Sweden, and many others in just a few hundred pages without appearing redudent and hasty. I was in danger of falling asleep in my car.
Bryson narrates and is very soft spoken. My volume was all the way up just to hear him. But he is a great narrator, and I wish I had more his books spoken through his voice. Overall worth getting and a great value for three Bryson books, but certainly at this point in his career not the cream of the crop.
AN INTERESTING RAMBLE October 31, 2007
I bought this set to listen to on a long car trip, too. It seems to me that these stories would be quite usefully informational to the prospective traveler. There is a strong male perspective, especially in Neither Here Nor There, that I expect the male reader will get a kick out of.
Notes from a Small Island gives a different slant on Great Britain, that is, a pedestrian point of view. Bryson delves into minutia of potential interest to those backpacking, and especially some good tips on where not to go. The populace of remote locations is interestingly illuminated, proving that not every one lives in the current century.
I'm a Stranger Here Myself draws attention to American foibles, with specific humorous references to modes of transportation. It also scores many good points regarding the excesses of the American lifestyle.
All in all a fun ramble. However, do not expect a life-altering experience.
 Great stories - when you can hear it....... July 5, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I purchased the audio book to listen to on a long car trip. The reading by the author is great, however the quality of the recording is inconsistent. Mr. Bryson's natural intonation is fairly low to flat, but as his voice rose (occasionally) and fell (frequently) during his reading of the material, there was little to no effort by the post production team to modulate and equalize the volume - making the lower tones inaudiable. At one point I had the volume on my car stereo at maximum and was still missing words and parts of sentences, only to be almost blasted from my seat when a new chapter would start and the volume level rose precipitously. I own 2 other audio books by Mr. Bryson and did not have the same experience with those products.
 Great Company March 16, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have a small collection of Bill Bryson audio books and I enjoy them all immensely. The fact that they are read by the author, only increases the enjoyability. These stories are not only entertaining, but quite educational as well. Bill Bryson is a gifted writer who can really "bring you there", makes you want to visit the places he is in...and right now. I'm looking forward to expanding my collection. You won't be sorry with your purchase.
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