“A literate exploration of why we use—or mangle—our native tongue.”—USA Today Bill Bryson celebrates America’s magnificent offspring in the book that reveals once and for all how a dusty western hamlet with neither woods nor holly came to be known as Hollywood…and exactly why Mr. Yankee Doodle call his befeathered cap “Macaroni.”
Made in America
By billbryson
Bill Bryson is always entertaining. I found this book funny as well as informative.
A good read on how American and British English men habits became so different. Enjoyed reading the stories and Brysons take. It my favorite Bryson book, but a good, funny read.
Skip the book and Watch the movie instead. The movie focuses on their relationship. The book includes his friend throwing things he brought off the trail rather than putting them beside the trail for any who might be able to use it. They took a break in Gatlinburg and then got a ride further on the trail because they were tired of all the trees. They DID enjoy being able to see Walmart/civilization from that section of the trail. They did NOT hike the entire trail. ENJOY the movie instead.
Headache inducing. Largely a compendium of word origins than seems to run on and on and on. I’ve read many of his books, but this one I couldn’t finish. Why am I putting myself through this? I wondered, and had no answer.
Not Bryson at his best. More preaching than humor.
The funniest travel writer ever!
Bryson is a genius. Wish he had been a history teacher of mine.
Seeing things through Bryson’s eyes broadens your outlook on “stuff.”
I discovered Bill Bryson by accident when I picked up his “Brief History of Everything.” After reading one Bryson book you’ll eagerly search for all the others. A true polymath Bryson’s style is highly entertaining while also being educational. He could write about anything and make it interesting and fun. He covers history but his tales tend to digress, weave, and hop around in a hugely entertaining way. Everyone that I have recommended Bryson to has enjoyed his books as much as I have.
Amazing information plus the humor of Bill Bryson. Many surprises.
Bryson does not write page-turners, but his informational tomes on the history and development of our language is always fun to read. I love to pick it up and read a chapter or two, just for the odd facts.
Although the writing was as engaging as Bill Bryson’s books generally are, I just never got into this one. It’s not bad, just didn’t excite me enough to finish it.
Too much infomation.
If you ever wondered, “Where in the world did THAT word come from?” You need to read Made in America by Bill Bryson. Chances are, he will answer your question, with great wit and wisdom.
Bill Bryson is always entertaining and this book is funny and full of information.
LOVED THE PEOPLE HE MET
It brought alive a period of great events and characters of a particular time in American history painting a vivid picture of happenings in the not too distant past
Best book I’ve read in long time
Enjoyed all the information.
A potpourri of anecdotes of American life mixed with the words and phrases that arose within this nation makes for a delightful read and an immense source of conversation-starters. Bryson’s light and entertaining writing style makes this unusual history lesson fun and palatable.