"Wonderful book"
If you listen to this book on headphones on an airplane (as I did), you will disturb other passengers when you laugh out loud. Funny and informative. As with all his books, he mixes personal experience with well researched facts and insights. It is always a treat to listen to Bill Bryson narrate his own work.
"Good book, but better to read than listen"
This book is very good. The subject matter is contested in some circles, but it is very thought provoking. I'd recommend reading the book rather than listening as some passages will have you hitting the reverse button on your player.
"Funny and informative"
I love reading Bill Bryson and it is a treat to hear him narrate his own book. He is very funny and the book is filled with interesting facts and observations. If you listen to this on headphones in public, people will stare at you when you laugh out loud.
"Fascintating"
A well researched book with loads of detail that appears to stick to the facts and avoid speculation. It is also written in a manner that compels the listener to find out what happens next. It gives us a glimpse of what post revolutionary war Washington DC was like. Richard Thomas does a great job.
"tough to listen to"
This is a very good book. I thumbed through a friends copy, but didn't have time to read it. It is tough, however, to listen to. The subject is dense. I have a graduate degree and accustom to tough subject matter, but this book begs to read in a non-liner fashion (no pun intended). You need to skip back to previous sections. Also, some of the content is in table form, which doesn't make for good listening.
"Bad Audio Quality"
The fidelity of sound is not that good. The introduction from Audible comes through clearly, but when the book is being read, the volume is low and not crisp. Makes it very difficult to understand the words.
"can you get past f***?"
very funny stuff, but I had a hard time getting past the extreme use of the "f" word. I should expect this from George. Don't get this if you are easily offened. On the ohter hand, maybe you should, this will give you something to be indignant about.