Rating:  Summary: Too Crass, Bill Review: Although I find Bill Bryson very amusing and he certainly can "turn a phrase" I found the content of this book unnecessarily explicit and really too much. I was listening to it on tape which may have emphasized the inappropriate language and his somewhat juvenile bent toward naming body parts and sex paraphenalia as well as bodily excretions. It was, however, interesting enough that I did listen to the whole tape but Bill, cut the gratitously offensive language.
Rating:  Summary: enjoy funny and crazy experiences with Bill!!! Review: Bryson is very descriptive about his travel to Europe. He shares his opinions and thoughts (good and bad) with the reader about every place he explores. Also, he shares his view as an American observing completely different cultures. Bryson reminds that each place is different and unique and to simply enjoy your journey. Bryson shares with the reader his hilarious experiences in these strange yet unique places. Overall, this is a very funny book which goes into detail about different cities, towns and people in Europe.
Rating:  Summary: Very Amusing Review: I agree with several other readers in that this isn't Bryson's best book. However, that doesn't keep it from being a funny, quick read into how Bryson sees Europe.Throughout this book, Bryson recconects with a European vacation he took with his friend Katz after college. He wants to revisit the places he saw - now, of course, with a much more jaded eye. He visits some new places too, among them the Arctic circle and Rome. Rome was for me the funniest part of the book - particularly Bryson's take on his travel guides! Are his observations always on target, and always kind? No, of course not. But, it's still an interesting look at how an American (who writes humor for a living) sees a different culture.
Rating:  Summary: Not a travel guide but for pure entertainment - VERY funny Review: If you're looking for a travel book to use when you explore Europe, this one won't be the most useful book out there. But if you are looking for entertainment, want to learn a bit about Europe and are prepared to laugh uproariously, this is a great choice. Bryson skewers the traditions and habits of other countries, recounts many hilarious experiences during his travels and describes some of the best (and worst) destinations in Europe. He has a fine writing style, casual, breezy and unique. The section on waiting for The Northern Lights to appear - and waiting and waiting for days on end - was worth the price of the book alone.
Rating:  Summary: NOT Brysons' BEST effort! Review: If you want to read a captivating Bryson Title go for the Australian title, "In a Sunburned Country". I read that one first and then bought this one and the Appalachian Trail title, "A Walk in the Woods." I have to say I enjoyed the hiking book about his experiences hiking the Appalachian Trail only because he was so concerned about encountering bear. The other books haven't met the mark for me. READ "In a Sunburned Country" there is plenty of history and incredible accounts of what he sees and does in that book that are a lot of fun to read.
Rating:  Summary: Funniest Book I've Read in a Long Time Review: This is by far the funniest book I've read in a long time and everyone I've lent my copy too has loved it. It is even funnier if you've already read A Walk in The Wood because Bryson retells many delightfully funny misadverntures with Katz from his first trip around Europe. I would warn you, do not read this in the company of others as you will not be able to keep from laughing out loud - and I don't mean snickering, I mean full out guffaws. BUY THIS BOOK!
Rating:  Summary: One of the funniest travel books I've read Review: In this book, Bill Bryson retraces the path of his trip which he took with a friend in the 1970s. He runs into awkward moments, memorable moments, and, best of all, hilarious moments. Bryson has a way of describing funny incidents so that one laughs hard. For instance, he describes that after one party one night back on the 1970s trip, his friend got back, stumbled in, and "urinated in the wastebasket [thinking it was the sink]" Bryson could have used simpler words, but this line, if spoken, would probably be in a completely serious tone, either actually serious or faking it. Either way, this 'serious tone' line describing a hilarious instance makes it even more funny. Another thing that makes this book especially funny is the way Bryson talks to the audience. One example of this is when he is talking about one country sending out men to fight in the war. He says, "they sent out eighty men, and, -you're going to like this- they came back with eighty-one, because they made a friend" These qualities plus Bryson's funny descriptive style create an outstanding, hilarious travel book which I like a lot!
Rating:  Summary: it may not flatter Bryson, but it's pretty entertaining Review: When Bryson was young, he toured Europe. A generation later, he went back for another look, and this is what he saw. Enough has been written about this book that my goal here is to help the prospective reader sort it out. Yes, it's true, Bryson's got a sharp tongue and an Americocentric streak two feet wide. He does come off as petulant when what he wants doesn't just sort of appear before him. A lot of his dissatisfactions can surely be attributed to his own spasmodic trip management and monolingualism. At the same time, he ranges from funny to hilarious. He spots a lot of interesting things about other countries. There were a lot of places he really liked, and he said so. And it must be admitted that he made it to some out-of-the-way places: Hammerfest, Capri, Locarno, Sofia. I have to respect the effort that required. So who'll like the book? It depends on your approach. If Bryson dogged your country/city/favourite landmark, and you're inclined to get annoyed at such things--or if American tourists are your (understandable) pet peeve, probably you won't much care for him. If you enjoy funny travel writing from someone not afraid to show his complete ignorance and make a merry fool of himself in public, Bryson is for you. While Bryson pokes a lot of fun at grumpy ticket counter people and waiters, he is his own single largest target. I'll raise a beer stein to that.
Rating:  Summary: Continuing with Cliches Review: Whenever I need something to read before I fall asleep, I reach for one of Mr. Bryson's book. Since I travel a lot, people assume I love travel literature, and give me his ridiculous books as "going away gifts." This particular book, "Neither here nor there" certainly doesn't buck the trend of under-educated, under-informed, boring slop. Although I don't doubt that Mr. Bryson has traveled in Europe, his use of standard cliches has the ring of someone afraid to leave his front door, in case he might have to eat something with which he is not familiar. He pretends to know the political and cultural history of every country he visits - therefore allowing him to make the rudest and ugliest jokes...but what can we expect from an American afterall?
Rating:  Summary: Bryson, a disgruntled Europhobe Review: Not much joy here as Bryson, an American Anglophile infected with Europhobia, whines and whinges his way across Europe. Bryson takes us to Stockholm where he complains about the quality of the Italian cuisine. We stop in major European cities where Bryson refreshes himself with a carbonated, caramelized caffeine drink or with typical American standby hambuger and fries as if Europe's kitchens could offer no better. We share the fights and slights of times past when Bryson flashes back to another Eurovoyage with an equally disagreeable companion. Curiously or perhaps understandably Bryson meets no one who doesn't bore him or anyone he doesn't crown "the most boring...". Other critics' views are altogether too generous but read it if you must.
|