“I read the 1st 100 pgs and didnt like”
“umm make that 1950s, remember white mid western boys really had no concept of minorities, be they women, blacks, latinos or any other group. the society they were in was pretty blind to anything but that young white christian males were superior to all other beins. i dont think bryson holds to that notion today, but he is true to the mindset he was emersed in at the time.”
“while i found it rolling in the floor laughter type book, i can see where this might not be the best book to start on. it is his look back at a boy of the 1960s mindset and how he would have seen things. his modern travel books give a much better intro to the man and his craft, which is some of the funniest writing being done today. ”
“@ selina c...what did bryson say in the book that was so offensive to women? bryson is supposed to be a humourous writer...i suppose you don't like stand-up comics either...the book isn't supposed to have a point per se ("what's it all for?"), it's just the author's take on his childhood and the things that happened around him...personally, i think it's always better to be funny than serious...to everyone else...i live in india and i still appreciated the book; shows the power of bryson's writing...can't wait for his next”
“That was lame, and I think probably the wrong book to start reading written by Bryson. It seemed so predictable, and unless you are actually the author or one of the other people mentioned in the book you won't be able to relate or appreciate aything. It is like a book that would only be written for your buddies...I dunno...*sigh*”
“I enjoyed it - for what it was and passed it off to my parents so they could take it on vacation with them. I wouldn't re-read it, but I lived in Des Moines for 12+ yrs and still work there, so I had a good time with the landmarks and reference points.”
“It was all very well and good until I started reading what he thought of his peers who were worse off than himself.. and then his ideas about women..and I then I thought..I don't actually like this man very much. I guess it's ok to make fun of everyone and yourself but in the end you think... what's it all for? This guy would laugh at a tragedy.”
“FUNNY FUNNY FUNNYAny guy (and many women) who grew in the boome ryears will laugh out loud reading this book - a m ust read and ladies this is a great book to get your boomer hubbys for Fathers Day.It recalls a time long ago without internet and Iraq and Spitzer call girls......hard to say we are progressing”
“I don't think you necessarily had to grow up in the midwest to enjoy this hilarious, real-life memoir. I find myself laughing outloud and can't always explain to my 11 y.o. what is so funny because it isn't appropriate at his age!! Very entertaining and well-written.”
“This is a must read for anyone who grew up in the Midwest during the 50s or 60s. Fabulous book. My favorite Bill Bryson so far.”
