Rating: 
Summary: America the Beautiful
Review: *A little warning: Bill Bryson, whom fans saw waving good-bye to jolly England in his last book (Notes from a Small Island), is found here in lovely little Hanover in the New Hampshire mountains. I have inordinate fondness for Hanover, having spent my undergrad years there, so I am both very familiar and very biased here. I am also inordinately fond of Bryson (who I saw once sitting at our local pub) as a smart, witty, keen-eyed writer. Stranger gives you plenty to think and laugh about (sometimes simultaneously). I can't recommend him enough! I never travel without a Bryson book with me.*After spending almost all of his adult life in Great Britain, Bryson has to relearn those fun experiences like mortgages, neighbors, and raising kids, American-style. From spackle to post offices, from haircuts to the lost art of walking, the little things in life are highlighted and inspected in Bryson's funny, funny way. He is sarcastic and befuddled by turns, but with the wry humor of a man who knows life is messy and complicated, but grand all the same. He makes the most of his surroundings and modern America. The chapters are actual columns that originally ran in a British newspaper, so they are somewhat tailored to that audience. Of course, this means there are a few "explanations" of American customs, but hardly anything to get upset over as some reviewers have. Bryson speaks of his own perceptions of his own experiences, not so criminal in a memoir. And it is quite clear that he enjoys life in the US - strange as it is for him at times, which is what makes the book hilarious. Check out his thoughts on taxes, computer tech support, death statistics, and America's car dependency. Not to mention the general theme of a very confused middle-aged man trying to get back in sync with the country he grew up in. Bryson has mellowed gradually, with each of his books. Here he is wonderfully human - a happy family man, an earnest citizen, an ardent observer looking at America from a unique perspective. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how it will make you appreciate, or at least consider, the little things we Americans take for granted. A fine, intelligent work that will have you entertained from cover to cover.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Read
Review: This book is great and a very quick read. It is written in brief chapters - so you can stretch it out and get some laughs before you go to bed (or work). It reminds me very much of seinfeld-like humor. uncommon observations about common things. ALL of bryson's works are funny, but this one is my favorite.
Rating:
Summary: One of the funniest books I've read
Review: Bryson is brilliant. He's returned home to American after twenty years away. His insights will make you think. They will also make you laugh out loud.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: I bought this book in Germany as the funny part of the preparation of my ~2 year stay in the US (beside serious literature). I found a lot of interesting hints why people in the US are sometimes different to people in Europe (especially in Germany). Bill Bryson is pointing to several things like food, shopping and other problems how to get settled in another country. He made sometimes the same type of experiences that we did. I love this book because it shows things that are totally normal to people in the US but seem strange to people from other countries (e.g. the waste of energy). He does not blame people for what they are, he just shows how they are and tries to explain why.
Rating: 
Summary: Collection of short stories
Review: I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as "Sunburned Country", perhaps because, as an Australian, I could more easily identify with the foibles of Australian living.Granted, these American stories were published in weekly form in a newspaper column,but somehow it came across as being " picky" to a degree--perhaps I shouldn't have read 2 Bill Brysons in a row.
Rating: 
Summary: Full of Humorous Insights
Review: Well, Mr. Eric Wilson, I don't like chips, but I did enjoy this book. It was, in essence, a collection of Bryson's gripes about American life, yet everyone should see that his gripes are quite true. If you cannot, the book will be less amusing, although you can still learn several startling statistics that might induce a change in lifestyle.
Perhaps Bryson does pander to the British audience, but that must not come wholly unexpected due to the fact that these were articles in a British magazine. Indeed, I found myself identifying more and more with the British viewpoint, and am all the more tempted to relocate there when I reach adulthood. Also, you must keep in mind that unlike 'A Walk in the Woods,' 'I'm A Stranger Here Myself' is a collection of short excerpts, and is not a novel. All short articles should generally be pithy and to the point, which is a formula all of the columns in this book follow. For instance, who could not take delight in Bryson's column about garbage disposals? I am sorely tempted to try the "Vesuvius effect," but I fear it would not warrant positive comments from the other beings in this household. Nevertheless, this book was highly enjoyable, informative, and quite inspiring in some regards!
Rating:
Summary: On the mark
Review: Once you get past the fact that this book was not written for us on this side of the Atlantic, things will go much smoohter. Bryson is able to make his point in these short articles and makes an impact on almost every one. One regret I do have is that it does seem a bit cheesy to just rehash old articles and compile them in a book, but Bryson thinks so too, (at least he says so at the end), so that helped a little.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: Definetly don't miss this book! I've never read a funnier one in my life - it is one of those that make you want to laugh out loud and roll on the floor. Don't read it if you're drinking anything because it's almost guarenteed to come out your nose. Youll definetly love this - it's worth every penny! : )
Rating:
Summary: I have loved reading this book
Review: I absolutely enjoyed reading this book! And I can honestly say that no book has ever made me laugh harder. At one point, I was reading it while on an all-night flight and had to keep putting the book down because my laughs were waking up the people around me. I really did find it that funny! Humor aside, As an ex-pat American living in London I related and agreed with so many of the points that Bryson makes about the two countries. He's absolutely hit the nail on the head with this book and kept me laughing throughout. If you're thinking about reading this book...definitely do!
Rating:
Summary: Bryson's second best book.
Review: I've never been much of a travel book reader, but I was drawn to this book after meeting my American wife. It's a truly entertaining read, both as a whole and in short burts.
As a British person living in the US I can confirm that a lot of what is said in this book is very true. The chapters on the INS, the American sense of humour, and American television especially struck chords. You can also tell that as much as he critises the US, he also loves the place. In that respect it works as an excellent companion to his best book,"Notes From A Small Island". A book where he points out the pros & cons of modern day Britain, while clearly still being in love with the place.
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