Bill Bryson Collector's Edition

Notes from a Small Island, Neither Here Nor There, and I'm a Stranger Here Myself

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Bill Bryson

Length: 17 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Notes from a Small Island
After nearly two decades in Britain, Bill Bryson decides to move his wife and kids back to his homeland, the United States. But not before taking one last trip around Britain, a sort of valedictory tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home. The result is a hilarious social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain.

Neither Here nor There
Thirty years after backpacking across Europe, Bryson decides to retrace the journey he undertook in the halcyon days of his youth, carrying with him a bag of maps, old clothes, and a stinging wit honed to razor sharpness by two decades of adult experience.

I'm a Stranger Here Myself
Bryson reads "somewhere" that nearly three million Americans believe they have been abducted by aliens; clearly the Americans need him back. So after years of raising his family in Britain with his English wife, the brood moves to the States, allowing Bill to chronicle the quirkiest aspects of life in America as he reveals his own rules for life.

©1998 Bill Bryson; 1998 Random House, Inc.
Neither Here nor There
1999 Bill Bryson; 1999 Random House, Inc.
I'm a Stranger Here Myself
1999 Bill Bryson (P)1999 Random House, Inc.

As read by the author and that makes it amazing.

I'm sad that he no longer reads his own material. His wit, his timing ... well, he's nearly perfect in delivery. Rare is the book that triggers an outright laugh. His effect a great many.

Fun and inspiring story

I was amazed by how he sees the world and thinks about the things underneath. I enjoyed a lot and would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to explore the countries not really visiting, or before or after.

Great Books! Bill Bryson is an amazing author

Loved it...I have read all his books, but hearing him narrate is the best way

Enjoyable collection narrated by the Author

If you enjoy Bill Bryson's other books, I think you will enjoy this collection. I enjoyed listening to the author tell the stories of his travels and his life. He has a lighthearted way of storytelling that often has me laughing out loud. I highly recommend this collection.

The Best

I adore this writer and his voice makes listening perfect. Tremendous wit. Thank you Bill Bryson.

Bill Bryson

The book was so funny. I want to listen to more of them. Great and so true.

The best, The GOAT

Bill Bryson ‘s stories are always interesting and adds humor with factual knowledge. Enjoyed every bit of this read!

3 in one, what more could you want

I delight in Bill Bryson’s writing. It always brings a smile to my face in the way that he tells a story makes you feel a part of it. Many of the things in this make me want to expand my travels and keep going. I was recently in Scotland, and particularly enjoyed the portions about that trip that I could relate to. My only quip or downfall For this series is that some of the material is obviously dated when discussing technologies and items that have progressed since these were written in the 80s and 90s. But for the time and overlooking that minor fact they are great books.

Terrific people-watcher's ear candy

As long as I can remember I've been a "people-watcher" - fascinated with where people come from, what language are they speaking, seeing various shapes of bodies and faces and skin and hair types, wondering at the flow of genetics across land and seas. Bill Bryson doesn't describe these human visuals as much as landscape, architecture, and individual surroundings, yet I got the same wonderful feeling of fascination with humanity as he shared his experiences, observations and travels.

There were some laugh out loud moments and I like his self-effacing humor although he can be openly critical of people, but it doesn't matter since it was at a time and place we can't figure out and their names are unknown. And, some deserve it.

There is a similarity with the works of Jon Ronson, although Mr Ronson, in my recollection just says things as he finds them and holds back on criticism, leaving it to the reader/listener to make the judgment. However, with the essays Bill Bryson does in the third book of this collection of books, the writing depends on his taking a critical stand and making some very sharp observations - in particular of mind-numbing "bureaucracy" and managing to make us laugh in the process.

This combination of three books are wonderful and I recommend this highly. In a way, I wish young people who are about to set out into the world would read/listen to these books, underlying each story is something deeper and the message is to do with humanity, our foibles, history, and accomplishments.

This book sums up People in an amazing way

Bill B is one of the best wordsmiths of this era, if you want to learn about US and Europe in a friendly funny atmosphere his books are a must.