Another Bryson Classic
353329
As can be seen, the overwhelming preponderance of reviewers are awarding four or more stars to "One Summer", and I am only adding to the pile. I've got seven or eight of Bryson's books on my shelf, and they're all good - each has a personality, but each also can be immediately identified as a Bryson tale. There is humor in "One Summer", but not as much as, say, the "Thunderbolt Kid" or "A Walk in the Woods". Not a drawback. My only wish is that the book had another two or three hundred pages.
3840627
I have read almost all of Bryson's books and this is at the top of the list for his all time best.  I have always wondered about that trail and now I don't have to.  Also, I no longer need to hike it because I just did the hike by reading the book!!!
1621070
This book is what you'd expect from Bill Bryson--a highly intelligent, funny, insightful and humane account of a good bit of a huge continent and its people. A wonderful read.
1185595
This ranks up among my favorites.  I just love learning the details of history from Bryson.
I was even able to re-read Pepys diary once again and get more out of it once I started this book.
I read them slow, to savor each discovery.
2053700
Just love Bill Bryson's books. So full of information ,that make obscure topics like this one ,such a good read. Give it a go .You won't be sorry.
1503517
This is my third Bryson book, and so far so good. The AT book was a bit better, and the Short History was a bit broader, but so far they all follow a simple but successful format. Bryson goes somewhere, observes and then writes about it. The writing is not usually laugh out loud funny, but it has enough funny moments and humorous observations that when these are combined with the interesting facts tossed out by Bryson that you end up feeling that you got your money's worth.

Neither Here nor There starts with his second (major) trip to mainland Europe (he lived in semi-Europe, that is, England, for seventeen years) and he starts with an epic bus trip to view the northern lights in the Nome of Norway. At least I think it was Norway, it was some non-descript Scandinavian country. In any case he captures well the feeling of being on the edge of nowhere in a community so bland it makes your last Young Republican rally seem like the Watts riots. He alternates between being wryly bemused and clinically depressed, but weaves it all together when he finally does get to see the lights, in all their glory.

The wry bemusement versus clinical depression seems to be a common theme of the book, if not his life, and it helps you kind of root for him as he goes gallivanting like a trust fund baby through all of Europe. Italy, Germany, Yugoslavia, Belgium, even Liechtenstein- he doesn't miss much. I think Spain and Greece got bypassed somehow, but pretty much everywhere else he hit. Even a brief hangout time at pre-war Bosnia, a bit surreal.

I really don't find any great weakness in the book, other than there is no traveling partner of any kind to give dimension. Some of the better bits are his reminisces, if they can be called that, of his earlier trip with his friend Katz. Katz is a character, to say the least, with all the in-your-face-humanity of a Homer Simpson without the FCC to keep him in check. He should've tried to get old Katz out of by-gosh Iowa for one more trek of the Old Country. We do get to run into him again in the Appalachians in another Bryson book, but Europe would've benefited by him, too, in my opinion.

I've only ever been to Austria (which he slams a bit) and Switzerland which he also slams a bit, but from my limited experience his observations seemed to be at least in the ballpark. Switzerland is very expensive (sehr teuer) and Austria is full of Austrians and both are full of beautiful mountains. And if you don't like German it doesn't matter- everybody speaks English, most likely as well as you do.
1636094
Bill Bryson has the ability to take textbook subject matter and make it far more entertaining than anyone else. His creative perspective fosters an enthusiastic following and I will be sure to continue reading all of his works. If you like science and are interested in the big-picture, this is definitely the book for you.
3002520
Thoroughly enjoyable! I think this is my favorite Bryson book.
150389
Actually, my husband loves almost everything Bill Bryson has written. The next book to be published by him is already on order!!
3192544
I have read many Bill Bryson books, this one ranks well among all of his works.  We discovered him while living in London; he had 2 books on their top 10 ranking at the time.
1943610
Bryson has told an interesting story, as usual, combining facts of this era and giving insight into the personalities of the people. The book was a very enjoyable read.
4328662
Really funny, even the suffering. Graphic descriptions in Bill Bryson's inimitable style. A delight to read as are his other books
2203969
We first discovered Bryson while on a family trip to the Black Hills with my old college roommates and their families.  I think I've read pretty much everything he's written since, and several of his books have been gifts of mine to valued friends and colleagues.  Never been disappointed.
1252218
I am a big, big Bryson fan & have read all of his books. Here he goes into great detail (and it is most interesting) of the late 1920's in America. If only our secondary-school history teachers presented our past in this manner, kids would not hate history & fall asleep in class.
4218639
I've read this several times. Not often where you read a book and read the same page multiple times just because it's so funny. Bill Bryson nails it.
654383
I have always enjoyed reading Bill Bryson and "One Summer" proved to be no exception.  I found the book both entertaining and informative.
2880421
Excellent read.  Very Funny without being over the top.  Caused me to become a Bill Bryson fan in the process, and have gone on to read more of his writings.