'So, if you Americans already have cornflakes and Woolworths, what brings you to England?' It's 1973, and a young man from Des Moines, Iowa, has arrived on the ferry at Dover. He intends to conquer the whole of the island, like Caesar attempted before him. But Caesar didn't have to deal with counterpanes, kippers, Cadbury's Curly Wurlies, or Mrs Smegma the landlady's eccentric house rules. As Bill travels the length and breadth of Britain, through villages with names like Titsey and Little Dribbling, something strange ...
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'So, if you Americans already have cornflakes and Woolworths, what brings you to England?' It's 1973, and a young man from Des Moines, Iowa, has arrived on the ferry at Dover. He intends to conquer the whole of the island, like Caesar attempted before him. But Caesar didn't have to deal with counterpanes, kippers, Cadbury's Curly Wurlies, or Mrs Smegma the landlady's eccentric house rules. As Bill travels the length and breadth of Britain, through villages with names like Titsey and Little Dribbling, something strange starts to happen. Can it be true? Is he really starting to feel at home? Bill Bryson's smash-hit memoir Notes from a Small Island spent three years in The Sunday Times bestseller list, sold over two million copies, and was voted the book which best represents the UK. Tim Whitnall's hilarious stage adaptation was first produced at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, in 2023. Written for an ensemble cast of seven (but suitable for a cast of dozens), it will appeal to amateur drama groups as a glorious celebration of one of the nation's most beloved books, and a brilliant dissection of the enduring quirks of our small island.
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Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Damaged book. Slightly damaged in some way typically, a grazed corner or torn cover.
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Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine.
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Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine. Ex-library book with stamps on the first page, it is also likely to have a small shelf number sticker on the spine.
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Good. Ships from UK in 48 hours or less (usually same day). Your purchase helps support Sri Lankan Children's Charity 'The Rainbow Centre'. Shows some signs of wear but in good overall condition. 100% money back guarantee. We are a world class secondhand bookstore based in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom and specialize in high quality textbooks across an enormous variety of subjects. We aim to provide a vast range of textbooks, rare and collectible books at a great price. Our donations to The Rainbow Centre have helped provide an education and a safe haven to hundreds of children who live in appalling conditions. We provide a 100% money back guarantee and are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest standards of service in the bookselling industry.
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Acceptable. Used-Acceptable. Ships from UK in 48 hours or less (usually same day). Your purchase helps support Sri Lankan Children's Charity 'The Rainbow Centre'. Ex-library with wear and barcode page may have been removed. 100% money back guarantee. We are a world class secondhand bookstore based in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom and specialize in high quality textbooks across an enormous variety of subjects. We aim to provide a vast range of textbooks, rare and collectible books at a great price. Our donations to The Rainbow Centre have helped provide an education and a safe haven to hundreds of children who live in appalling conditions. We provide a 100% money back guarantee and are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest standards of service in the bookselling industry.
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Good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
Very amusing and a great read - a good follow up to his other books.
quasar
Dec 8, 2008
Bryson does it again!
Bryson observes a culture that should be so much like ours (in the US) but just isn't. He writes, as skillfully and hilariously as ever, with the special insight of someone who understands and loves the country, having lived there 20 years with his English wife and 4 children, but has the eye of an outsider. This book made me want to get up and plan a trip to England. Follow this with his next book, "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" in which he copes with adjusting to a country (The US) that is different from the one he left 20 years earlier.
Rosanne
Oct 4, 2007
Laugh-out-loud funny
If I were going to travel anywhere, I would first see if Bill Bryson had written a book about it first. Not only would I find out some pretty fascinating things, but I'd probably lose about two pounds just by laughing so hard. Bryson writes with a unique combination of affection and derision - he pokes fun at the absurd, but is never nasty (on the whole). As he potters about Britain on his farewell tour, he leaves you with the wonderful impression of a deep and special love for the place, even if there are many aspects of British life that he cannot comprehend (although he tries!). And the facts he gathers! Wonderful stuff. A real treat.
Cynthia
Jun 28, 2007
Personal England
Bill Bryson takes one around England in a personal and up close way.You will want to book another trip to check this "small island" out again. Not a new book-but one I missed the first time around and maybe you did too.
mooncalf
Apr 1, 2007
Notes from a Small Island
This should be required reading for all Anglophiles. Who could resist taking a tour around Great Britain with a host that is not only extremely knowlegeble but absolutely hilarious as well. I found myself laughing out loud at Bryson 's unique perspective on things, which is apparent in so many of his travel books, and enjoying his observations that point out the absurd in an affectionate way. It's a fun read, but informative at the same time, and I learned several things about Great Britain that I wasn't aware of . Definitely recommended !
