Made in America

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: William Roberts

Length: 18 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

In Made in America, Bryson de-mythologizes his native land, explaining how a dusty hamlet with neither woods nor holly became Hollywood, how the Wild West wasn't won, why Americans say 'lootenant' and 'Toosday', how Americans were eating junk food long before the word itself was cooked up, as well as exposing the true origins of the G-string, the original $64,000 question, and Dr Kellogg of cornflakes fame.

©1994 Bill Bryson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Bryson offers a playfully anecdotal account of the etymology of distinctive words and phrases that help to create a distinctly American English." ( Publishers Weekly)
"A treat....Filled with surprises....A literate exploration of why we use, or mangle, our native tongue." ( USA Today)

Feeling smarter

I love everything about Bill Bryson books. Not only does he entertain me but he also makes me feel smarter every time I finish his books. I have recommended this book to every friend I have. I only wished it was actually him narrating.

Narrator no comparison

No one should narrate Bill Bryson’s books but himself. No one else even comes close!

VERY comprehensive.

Although quite comprehensive, I felt too much was taken on. This is a very long book that one can loose interest in from time to time. I adore Mr. Bryson’s work, but this attempt was not one of his best.

Bryson OK Roberts not so much

Would you listen to Made in America again? Why?

I just started to listen but one thing is very clear to me,Bill Bryson needs to read his own books. The narrator doesn't make me want to keep listening but I will.

Would you be willing to try another one of William Roberts’s performances?

No

So much of our history is myth

Bill Bryson always digs up the most interesting facts --even when those facts are "nobody knows." He touches on so many things in America's history, much of it interesting. I find it tedious when several variations on word pronunciations & spellings are read, but other than that, the story of America is more fascinating --and more ordinary--than we ever learn in school. And most of the details we read in fictional history stories are just that...fictional.
I do wish Bill were the reader. William Roberts does a good job, but Bill has a way with his own words.

not his finest

I like Bill a lot more when he stays out of politics and social commentary, immigration, etc. the reader of the book also left something to be desired.

Great study

Really well written and enjoyed it very much, I was astonished at how much went into it. A plethora of knowledge and facts, keep up the great works.

Great education especially when on a road trip.<br />Th

Great education of how our country has always grown strength through the diversity of others and will continue to make it strong.Great for a road trip.My most memorable part was probably learning the definition of a jelly roll and shorting bread.

What an unexpected pleasure!

What did you love best about Made in America?

Having listened to Bill Bryson read his own works before, I was initially disappointed by the reading of William Roberts. However, further into the book, his impressions and characterised quotations brought the book to life and had me laughing out loud to the story! By the end, I wondered what I had ever been upset about and adored Roberts rendition. His accent and liveliness brought much needed drama to this very informally written, yet of a formal nature, text.

An avid language curiositist, I often ask,

Enjoyed the information!

What made the experience of listening to Made in America the most enjoyable?

Such interesting history behind how words come into existence. The book has so much information and research behind it.