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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%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (229 reviews)
Sales Rank: 4176
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:
 Terrific....Bathroom reading. April 18, 2007
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I hope it is not a back handed compliment to say that this book belongs in the bathroom. But the consistently short length, the consistent formula and somewhat repetative nature of Mr. Bryson's musings are not the stuff of a long sit down. While his perspective as an American coming home after 20 years abroad is refreshing in his humor, I found the collection more dated and tedious than funny. There were several moments of out-loud laughter, but just as many times I though to myself, "I've read this before...I know what he is saying...I recognize his writing style and formula."
So I recommend this as a sometimes book. Of the 70 short essays, many are insightful and wise-the one on why trees leaves change color comes to mind-and others fun. They are best experienced in passing glances.
 Informative and entertaining, what a great read! April 10, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Bill Bryson's I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away was one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read. His observations are entertaining and informative and provided me with many hearty laughs. I highly recommend this title.
Insightful and funny April 4, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Bill Bryson's "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" is one of my favorite books at it combines thoughtful insights about his family and culture with laugh out loud humor. Many of his observations are, however, serious and shocking. How America had 800,000 lawyers in 1999 more than the rest of the world out together. Bryson says that breaks down to 300 lawyers for 100,000 citizens whereas Briton by contrast has 82 and Japan 1.
Bryson also points out how the Gross Domestic Product GDP is a dismal measure of national income as it shows the amount of dollars we spend, both good and bad, on services over a given period. Bad activities like the O.J. Simpson's $200 million trial, New York City's cleanup after 9/11 and reckless pollution often generate more GDP. A leading economist joked, "According to the GDP the nation's economic hero is a terminal cancer patient going through a costly divorce." Another economist pointed out, "The current national accounting system treats the earth as a business in liquidation."
In a lighter vein Bryon shares stories about his somewhat inept memory. He said his family suggested some labels suitable for him, "Caution: When Door Says `Pull' It's Absolutely No Use Pushing" and "Warning: Do Not Attempt to Remove Sweater Over Head While Walking Among Chairs and Tables." His favorite was "Caution: Ensure That Shirt Buttons Are in Correct Holes Before Leaving the House."
Welcome back to the USA, Bill Bryson March 14, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A short and sweet review! This book is a great read. I appreciate the author's sense of humor and variety of topics. His essay/graduation address should be read by all graduating high school students and read again when they graduate college! His basic advice centers on the idea that--you're special--but not that special--learn to have some care for other people. This was my introduction to Bill Bryson and I have since read some of
his other books and hope to read more.
one of the funniest January 4, 2007
One of the funniest books I've read, maybe because I feel like the author being real
foreigner.
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