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)

Fascinating, engaging, surprising, astonishing!

One of the most in enjoyable books in my library. I know I'll be listening to it through many, many more times!

Great book, not Bill Bryson's best

several chapters were absolutely amazing, but the unending list of words and etymology references became more and more tedious this book went on.

This is a good book

This is a good book, but it doesnt lend itself into being made into an audio book. There are so many slight dfferences in spelling and pronounciation, that you really have to see it all on the page. Listening to it doesnt always work.

Snafu

this is such a delightful examination of the history of English language in America. Bill Bryson and his wit as a always are a hilariously cerebral guide. Enjoy ya cunts!

Not narrated by Bryson.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator. William Roberts may be a good narrator for something else, but Bryson's voice and intonation make his books.

What didn’t you like about William Roberts’s performance?

His voice.

Did Made in America inspire you to do anything?

It made me want to return the book.

Any additional comments?

Change your return policy back to being able to return any book.

Wouldn't recommend as an audiobook

I love Bill Bryson's work, but this one was a bit hard for me to enjoy in audiobook form, mainly because of the discussion of different ways of spelling various words. For example, here is an excerpt that is a joy to read, but a slog to listen to because the narrator has to spell the words out letter-by-letter to get the point across: "As early colonists employed odd spellings, so too they often brought unexpected pronunciations with them. This was particularly the case in Virginia, where the leading families had a special fondness for pronouncing their family names in improbable ways, so that Sclater became “Slaughter,” Munford became “Mumfud,” Randolph was “Randall,” Wyatt was “Wait,” Devereaux was “Deverecks,” Callowhill was “Carroll,” Higginson was “Hickerson,” Norsworthy was “Nazary,” and Taliaferro became a somewhat less than self-evident “Tolliver."

Once again, Bryson is Wonderful

BB has again created a masterpiece of interesting facts, truths and stories. ‘Made in America’ though slightly dated now (not in content, just timing) is a wonderful read and if you are familiar with and enjoy his books, a must read.

Bryson Not Reading Makes For a Rare Fail

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Bill Bryson is both a great writer and reader. His books have been a high point in my time here at Audible, but the William Roberts doesn't get Bryson's pacing or timing and as a result much of the humor is lost. If Audible could get a rerecord, I would recommend this, but I would suggest not downloading it and reading it on paper or digital over this performance.

Just okay.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It is basically Bill Bryson's latest formula book. A fair amount of interesting stuff but no plot or any real coherent theme. A fair amount of information on word origins but really just another book of Bryson's somewhat humorous thoughts. Not nearly as good as his older books. The reader is not as good as Bryson as he does not seem to grasp the intended humor of what he is reading.

Educational and fascinating!

Keeps you entertained throughout and flows easily from one topic to the next. Connecting the dots between historical and modern day America