At Home: A Short History of Private Life

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Bill Bryson

Length: 16 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is Bill Bryson’s entertaining and illuminating book about the history of the way we live - complete, unabridged and read by the author.

Bill Bryson was struck one day by the thought that we devote more time to studying the battles and wars of history than to considering what history really consists of: centuries of people quietly going about their daily business. This inspired him to start a journey around his own house, an old rectory in Norfolk, considering how the ordinary things in life came to be. Along the way, he researched the history of anything and everything, from architecture to electricity, from food preservation to epidemics, from the spice trade to the Eiffel Tower, from crinolines to toilets. And he discovered that there is a huge amount of history, interest and excitement - and even a little danger - lurking in the corners of every home.

Where A Short History of Nearly Everything was a sweeping panorama of the world, the universe and everything, At Home peers at private life through a microscope. Bryson applies the same irrepressible curiosity, irresistible wit, stylish prose, and masterful storytelling that made A Short History of Nearly Everything one of the most lauded books of the last decade.

©2010 Bill Bryson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Amazing Book

I’ve listened to this book at least five times now. Just doesn’t get old. So many fabulous anecdotes and facts. Fun and enlightening. Bill also has an amazing narrator voice.

hours of captivation for the curios mind

Mr Bryson will take you on a mind's journey through time and across the planet as he opens your eyes to the curious history behind not only the things in your home (and, indeed, the home itself), but the world supporting those innovations as they occurred. A brilliant listen, and practically compulsory if you've read or listened to his not-so-brief, but equally entertaining history of nearly everything else.

Best use of a credit

I've listened to "a short history of nearly everything" before and I enjoyed "at home" just as much. It's great for listening to in short bursts as each chapter doesn't rely on the previous one, but is explained in such a way that listening for a longer period isn't overwhelming. I can see myself listening to this again as there is no way I will be able to remember all of it after one reading and I think it would be just as enjoyable a second time around. Bill Bryson is a fantastic reader, really drawing you into his superb writing. I couldn't recommend this more.

Informative

At Home is informative and educational in quirky sort of way, but doesn't deliver on the humour evident in some of Bryson's other works. Well researched, this book explodes the myths of the refined and gentile times of old. Bryson does a good job of narrating the book, although at times seemed lacking in expression, making the narration a little dull. If you've got a desire to learn all sorts of factiods of life in centuries gone by, then you'll probably enjoy At Home.

Gooder than good!

And a good thing that house was so big. A book about all the rooms in my house would've been much shorter. Respect!

Trivia unlimited

Bill Bryson has written another engrossing 'chat' full of so many trivial, yet fascinating facts, that I was drawn back to it until the finish. Could listen to it again. Bryson is the king of droll.

Interesting content but poor narration

I found the book's subject matter fascinating. However the experience was marred by the narration, which was less than ideal. Bill's enunciation was unclear and muffled, words are slurred, I had difficulty focusing and following along to his voice. It was also rather monotonous. This books needs a different reader.

Fascinating

I really enjoyed the content of this book. Bill Bryson has such an appealing style, amusing while still being informative. I was a bit disappointed with the adenoidal sound to his voice though. Hopefully that won't be a problem for the majority of his listeners but I kept wanting him to blow his nose! I did hesitate to comment on that but if you listen to the sample and think I'm wrong then I wholeheartedly recommend a great fun listen.

Bryson brilliant as ever

Bill Bryson is one of my favourite authors and he does not disappoint with this "short history of private life". It's intellegent, witty and informative and I'd recommend it to just about everyone.

Perhaps my favourite book

If you could sum up At Home: A Short History of Private Life in three words, what would they be?

Bill Bryson has a knack for researching and describing events from the past in a way that can turn an encyclopedia into a ripping yarn.