What does history really consists of? Centuries of people quietly going about their daily business – sleeping, eating, having sex, endeavouring to get comfortable.And where did all these normal activities take place? At home.This was the thought that inspired Bill Bryson to start a journey around the rooms of his own house, an 1851 Norfolk rectory, to consider how the ordinary things in life came … rectory, to consider how the ordinary things in life came to be. And what he discovered are surprising connections to anything from the Crystal Palace to the Eiffel Tower, from scurvy to body-snatching,from bedbugs to the Industrial Revolution, and just about everything else that has ever happened, resulting in one of the most entertaining and illuminating books ever written about the history of the way we live.
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I think you must be a fan of Bill Bryson’s style to really enjoy this book. He is the a character, in and of himself. I have lived in England, so have a real core knowledge of the English manner of living.
— a generous tour around Bryson’s house, as well as yours
I read a sample chapter of At Home at the end of his African Diary, and was charmed right out by this sweet, dorky book. Our kindly host Bryson guides us through the rooms of his house in England, pausing in each to gently lecture us on where such things as chairs, pepper, and windows, and where they came from in the first place. From these digressions, he digresses further into the personalities and foibles of the medieval and early modern people who shaped our homes, and presents snapshots of their lives. At Home is most of all about the evolution of comfort, and it is a comfortable book indeed.
One of his best! Enjoyable as always, but on a new subject for him. More of this Bill!
First, let me say that I love Bill Bryson. His books are an incomparable blend of information mixed with his unique brand of wit. “At Home” starts off promising, with stories and information about regular things in our homes and their history. Ever wonder why staircases are the dimensions that they are? What did people use as toilet paper in restrooms three centuries ago? Numerous questions like this are answered.
Now, let me get to the fussy part. This book often gets bogged down in so many names of so many unknown architects and home book writers from the 18th and 19th centuries that the reader often gets bogged down in details that take away from the story.
For fans of Bryson, this is a solid pick. If you are looking for a first foray into his writing, I’d suggest A Brief History of Everything or A Walk in the Woods.
a favorite author and one of his best books
If you’re a Bryson fan, by all means, don’t miss out on this wonderful tome!
This is a very informative book about everyday furnishings in and around people’s homes and how they evolved over the centuries. Bryson mentions that one huge English mansion had a room devoted entirely to cleaning bedpans.
This book is an interesting and informative walk through a house Bill purchased. However as he goes through each room, entrance, kitchen, bedroom etc, he also gives us a history of how each room was used. In the kitchen we learn about the history of spices, food preparation, all told in such a way that you learn while being entertained. It’s a wonderful read and I recommend it!
My husband and I both loved this book. It sounds so basic – Bill Bryson bought a house and walks us through it giving the history of each room. But it’s a fascinating walk through history seen through the lens of the function of each room in a house. I learned so much in such an interesting way.
Anything by Bill Bryson…..anything, but this book is particularly good in that it describes, historically, how a home’s rooms developed into the living areas we know today. Wonderful read.
Read anything by Bryson – you’ll be better for it!
Wonderful!
Like all of Bryson’s books, this one is interesting in a quirky kind of way. Lots of great historical trivia.
Best book ever
One of my favorite books ever!