Rating: 
Summary: Clever but cruel
Review: Bryson's breakneck tour through small American towns (his running gag is that he's in search of an elusive perfect nostalgic town he calls "Amalgam") is terribly witty and occasionally dead-on in its lacerating descriptions of American tackiness and silliness. But often his insights are laced with the kind of acid you-can't-get-me cruelty that only an expatriate (Bryson lives in London) can pull off. His wonder at America's foolishness sometimes crosses right over the line to contempt, and that undercuts the truth in his descriptions. Beyond that, he has so much turf to cover (38 states), that he often doesn't do more than drive through a town and criticize the strip malls -- which are of course hideous -- or talk to anyone besides waitresses, motel clerks and cops, who are not always civilization's greatest ambassadors, in America or anywhere else. In a purely technical vein, his gleeful and often funny habit of inventing obviously untrue details forces a reader to wonder, after a while, how much of the more plausible description might also be false. Bryson's a smart guy and a genuine wit. And it's a funny book. But his contemptuousness eats away at his power as a writer and as a guide to his own journey.
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Summary: One of the funniest books you will ever read!!!
Review: This gem from Bryson remains the funniest travel book ever published. At least one of the funniest books I have ever read. It is one of those rare books that will elicit deep belly laughs. Bryson spares no one with his barbs as he travels the U.S. (by the way, he also does not pull any punches when commenting on Europe in "Neither Here Nor There"). The book is loaded with interesting trivial americana asides. Those who think Bryson is too mean or negative should relax and get a sense of humor. After all, can't we all agree that Cairo, Ohio (pronounced "Kay-ro" in Ohio) probably is a dump.
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Summary: Can You Laugh Too Much?
Review: This is undoubtedly one of the funniest books that I have ever read. Sometimes I would have to stop reading and do something else for awhile to give my body a chance to cool down from all the laughing. I have since gone out and bought every book that Bryson has written (having lived in England for awhile, Notes From A Small Island was a special treat). You might not like the book if you are a dedicated town booster and Bryson passed through your neighborhood, but if you do like your travelogues packed with wit this is a book for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Bryson should not have left England
Review: This book is not only poorly written, it appears there was little if any research done prior to publishing, i.e. Gold was not discovered in Sutter Creek CA. He was so negative about all of America, it makes me wonder why he choose to return here. I have lived in England and found his glowing comments about this lovely country untrue in many cases. Both countries have pro's and con's. I did finish this book, but was unable to continue with the book on England.
Rating: 
Summary: A Cynics Dream
Review: I think the reviewers overrate this book, which leads me to believe that only people who completely enjoy or completely despise books decide to write reviews. If you're cynical, as my last statement proves I am, then you will enjoy Bryson's digs on small town America. But the reality is that he is only contributing to the stereotypes "normal" Americans love to hear. We want to laugh at accents and old fat people but you may find that some of the things he criticizes we hold dear and will defend. Is there a place on earth he can't find fault with? Approach this book with an open mind and don't take his barbs so seriously. After all, some of Bryson's shortcomings came through in this book whether he knew it or not.
Rating:
Summary: CAUTION: DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IN PUBLIC
Review: unless you want to have strangers wondering if you are insane with laughter. This is easily the funniest book I've ever read. If you've ever been in the back seat of a car as a small child, you will not be able to contain yourself. Remember, you were warned!
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Summary: This book can seriously change your life!
Review: What is there left to say ?? Brysons' first travel novel gives him plenty of oppurtunity to be at his funniest - that is when he is dwelling on the negative.Throughout the whole novel Bryson shares a private joke with the reader - something which an ex-pat American or Brit can readily identify with.Although 'Neither here nor there' is overall a funnier book I would still give this one ten out of ten.Read this and you require to know very little else about America should you visit it !! Oh yeah ...and by the way ... it made me move to America!!
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Summary: A tremendously funny read........
Review: I had not read anything by Bill Bryson previously and having bought it on impulse, took it with me on a long flight recently during which I made quite a scene by constantly having to guffah out loud - he really has a wonderful style of writing and the ability to get you to laugh even when you are trying to do your best to restrain yourself, look serious and not be a nuiscance to your fellow-passengers! I have not quite so much enjoyed a read since the days of reading authors like S J Perelman and James Thurber. Incidentally was Thurber also not from Ohio? Columbus, Ohio if my memory is right. Has his house not been turned into a museum and how could Bill Bryson not have visited it? I visit the US regularly though mainly the big cities, but having read this book I shall take try and get out to look for the mythical town that Bill was also looking for.
Rating:
Summary: Similar Experience as Bill
Review: I had a similar experience to Bill's. I spent 9 years living in Hove, England. I read the book right before I returned back home to settle down and just had to laugh at the observations and wonder what I would see differently. I knew after about 3 years I wanted to return but having been away (and having begun to spell Flavor "flavour" and defense "defence" without thought) I knew I would suffer some reverse culture shock. Great book, and I also loved his Notes from a Small Island!
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Summary: one of the funniest guides to the American way of life!
Review: Bryson sees Small town America through the eyes of an outsider having lived in England for many years. Being English and now happily living in teh US his stories seem to resonate very well with me. The description of Las Vegas with its "carpets like yards of woven vomit" really are wonderful. I highly recommend this hilarious book to anyone who will travel in the USA
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