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| I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away | 
 enlarge | Author: Bill Bryson
Publisher: Broadway
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $0.78
You Save: $14.17 (95%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $0.78
Avg. Customer Rating:  (229 reviews)
Sales Rank: 4723
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7
ISBN: 076790382X
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.92
EAN: 9780767903820
ASIN: 076790382X
Publication Date: June 6, 2000
Release Date: June 6, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Actually, I give this book six stars May 16, 1999
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I am English and have to say that the highlight of Sunday mornings was reading Bill's Column in the Night and Day magazine of the Mail on Sunday. To say that I was devastated when he announced in there that he was finishing these columns and doesn't plan to write anymore was an understatement. However, now I have this book, a collection of all of the columns and I have to say that it just goes to show why the English love Bill so much. He is funny, insightful, clever, self-deprecating, ironic. Did I mention funny?? I love the way he makes the most ordinary of everyday activities seem completely different. He talks a lot in the book (and even in the book's title) about how everyone around him seems to think of him as English and that gives him his distinctive edge. Sometimes its for comic effect - like going into a hardware store and announcing "I need some stuff to fill in holes in the wall with. My wife's people call it Polyfilla" (we do)and other times it gives him the opportunity to observe America and American attitudes from the perspective of an outsider. The Brits love Bill and his wicked sense of humour, and also his ability to laugh at himself. They also understand when he is being ironic, and when he is truly despairing of his fellow Americans, whether it be setting up a hot-line for dental floss questions or the litigation culture that has sprung up in America and other such examples. So, Bill Bryson, long may you continue. I look forward to your book on Australia.
A typically Bryson fun read May 14, 1999
I nearly fell off my chair with excitement to read that El Bryson had penned another masterpiece. Only to find that this book also goes under the name of "Notes from a Big Country", which I bought here in New Zealand at Captain Bill's book signing. So I got to meet the man as well. Quite a treat. Yes, this book is a typically entertaining Bryson read. His humour is a delightful mix of British and American. He's so cynical, he could almost BE British! The fun thing with his book is his way of being able to find and explore the humour in the differences between societies. It differs from his previous works, in that it's broken down into smaller, more easily digestible chunks. But that means it's perfect for so many of us that are no longer able to sit down and devour "War and Peace" in a day. Yes, this one is a doozy! Top hole, Bill!
A hilarious look at how internationals may view America May 5, 1999
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a must-read for all Americans!; especially those who would like to know what the rest of the world may think of us. It will make you laugh so hard, you may actually cry, and it will let you step back and observe our daily living activities with a new perspective (which are, quite often, very hilarious). As someone who also has recently returned to America, I recommend it to anyone who ever wonders about some of the bizarre and sometimes outrageous happenings of life in America.
Bryson is incapable of not being funny May 5, 1999
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have the British version, "Notes From a Big Country', which seems to be somewhat different -- my version is missing the 'rules of life' and the high school commencement speech, both mentioned in the reviews. Doesn't matter; I can recommend this version sight unseen. Having read four or five of Bryson's books (I particularly like 'English and How It Got That Way'), I have come to the conclusion that the man doesn't write anything that won't leave your sides sore.
Very insightful May 5, 1999
This was recently published in Australia as "Notes from a Big Country" and is one of Bill Bryson's best works. His articles cover a broad range of issues and he looks at them with some of his trademark humour but tackles some serious issues. Hopefully there will be a followup publication of his new articles.I'm looking forward to his account of his travels in Australia.
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