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.

Living History

What made the experience of listening to At Home: A Short History of Private Life the most enjoyable?

This book is full of very interesting anecdotes and people. It help put how we live today in a next context.

More of a history book than the description indicated

Bill Bryson writes a brief history of the development of life as we know it (from the perspective of British and American history) loosely based on a tour of his house but he expands the narrative way beyond information about the room and the building itself. As always Bryson is an entertaining and sometimes witty writer and this book is never dull or dry and even though it was not my intent to read a history book I am glad I did and learned much, even down to the details of the risks of walking up and down stairs!

Bill Bryson brilliant as ever

It was time that someone wrote a history on the subject of private life. The fact it's Bill Bryson turns it into a truly entertaining book. It is captivating, the topics well researched and real tidbits are served. Also I love Bryson reading his own books. The last star is missing because somehow the storyline lacks cohesion. The progression through the house and which subject was discussed in which room seemed at times random. "A Short History of nearly Everything" is still his masterpiece in my eyes. But this still is no mean successor.

New Speaker Needed acquire within!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Bill Bryson is a terrific writer I have everything he has written to-date, however please use a professional reader on future books. Your voice is far too soft lacking in any emotional impact.

What could Bill Bryson have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Find a professional reader!

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Bill Bryson?

William Roberts was great narrating The History of Nearly Everything. Grover Gardner is another name that comes to mind.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. The subject matter is too vast and spasmodic.

Any additional comments?

Keep the books coming Bill.

Too bad Bill

I just love Bill Bryson's books, but not when he reads them himself. His reading-voice distracts my attention from the content. In this book, the multitude of s-sounds, vocal abbreviations and vocal slurs(that leaving you wondering what he just said) are so annoying, that's it's quite a challenge to keep listening to him read the book. Maybe it would be better if he read in his natural American dialect - more like how he reads "A walk in the woods".

Beyond bricks and mortar

Hearing Bill read his book is briefly pure pleasure. He threads patterns, beads and narratives in telling story upon story, ancient and modern. How grateful I am to live now, and not then.The only thing I missed was being able to underline and note some of the aspects of private life.

Great Author, Great Narrator

Again, Bill Bryson enriches our minds whilst keeping us thoroughly entertained. Using his home as an outline, he tells wonderful stories about how we've come to live the way we do today.
I have been quite disappointed with some books read by their authors (they are two separate talents after all), but Bill is wonderful. Of course he KNOWS the material, and his voice, style and manner make for perfect listening.

A surprisingly deep dive into history from a parsonage

Bill Bryson’s ability to connect seemingly disparate topics via the simple device of a floor plan is a delight.

Snobbish fawning & far too many long lists.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Viewers of 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous'.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I didn't get there.

How could the performance have been better?

Someone else could have read it. His voice is annoying.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Yes, fascinating subject matter, and interesting stories of peoples' lives and achievements.

Any additional comments?

Wandering.

A Short History of British Privacy

Excellent history of British home. Almost nothing to do with the rest of the world. Should say so in the title.