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.

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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.

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right up my alley

The trivial nature of this book wad right up my alley. If you like finding out about both the history of words and also where everyday objects came from this is the book for you. I am an unabashed Bryson fan, and he has used one of the techniques which makes him such a good travel writer (weaving 'trivial', but fascinating facts throughout a story) to create this book - it is really good.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Amusing and informative.

Droll Bill Bryson at his best. Filled with lots of interesting historical tidbits which together make up a very satisfying and tasty meal.

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!

Throughly Enjoyed

I throughly enjoyed this book, and highly recommended it. Full of many interesting, well researched daily facts and background.

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.