The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

A Memoir

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Bill Bryson

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Bill Bryson was born in the middle of the American century, 1951, in the middle of the United States, Des Moines, Iowa, in the middle of the largest generation in American history, the baby boomers. As one of the best and funniest writers alive, his is perfectly positioned to mine his memories of a totally all-American childhood for 24-carat memoir gold. Like millions of his generational peers, Bill Bryson grew up with a rich fantasy life as a superhero. In his case, he ran around his house and neighborhood in an old football jersey with a thunderbolt on it and a towel about his neck that served as his cape, leaping tall buildings in a single bound and vanquishing awful evildoers (and morons) in his head as "The Thunderbolt Kid".

Using this persona as a springboard, Bryson recreates the life of his family and his native city in the 1950s in all its transcendent normality, at once completely familiar to us all and as far away and unreachable as another galaxy. Warm and laugh-out-loud funny, and full of his inimitable, pitch-perfect observations, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is as wondrous an audiobook as Bill Bryson has ever recorded. It will enchant anyone who has ever been young.

©2006 Bill Bryson (P)2006 Random House, inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This affectionate portrait wistfully recalls the bygone days of Burns and Allen and downtown department stores, but with a good-natured elbow poke to the ribs." (Booklist)

Pleasant, entertaining, and fun!

This book had me often smiling and occasionally laughing out loud. I highly recommend it!

Very Funny Book

Just an outstanding book. I'm a little biased towards Bryson - I have several of his books - but I'm biased because he just writes some very funny stuff.


There was one part where he kind of goes on a political statement of sorts, but I just went forward to the next chapter and only missed a few minutes of the book. No problem, and I don't even recall what axe he was trying to grind, but it wasn't enough to detract from the book.

Amazing story and narration

The story is amazing and detailed. It’s it read eloquently with emotion and grace. I strongly recommend this book.

1960s kid fun

loved it, he captured the childhood of the 60s, his own voice added a good dimension.

Boomer fun!

A hilarious trip down a Midwestern memory lane! Bryson is brilliant. Read it to escape to a happier time.

Hilarious,witty,and well written

Bryson almost never fails to impress me with his skill in writing and his books often make me laugh.

As a!ways to

Bill Bryson books are a p!measure to listen to sale jelly when he is the reader. He has a way of telling stories I a Frank and honest way while making me smi!e and laugh out loud. I always recommend his books as good reads!

the life and times of the thunderbolt kid

I enjjoyed every minute of tis book. I gave a copy to an aunt and I could have given this book to the high school nephews, too. Great read.

Loved it.

if you have a cherished memorable childhood, you will love and laugh your way through this memoir. I found so many stories that I could relate with back in the days.
great narration. The author moved to England many years ago hence the English accent.
Thank you Thunder Bolt kid for the nice trip back to a simpler time.

Bill Bryson brings us all back home!

As always, Bill Bryson delights us with humor and honesty of his life in Des Moines, Iowa.

Terrific page by page!