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At Home: A Short History of Private Life

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At Home: A Short History of Private Life

By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: Bill Bryson
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About this listen

Here is Bill Bryson’s entertaining and illuminating book about the history of the way we live - complete, unabridged and read by the author.

Bill Bryson was struck one day by the thought that we devote more time to studying the battles and wars of history than to considering what history really consists of: centuries of people quietly going about their daily business. This inspired him to start a journey around his own house, an old rectory in Norfolk, considering how the ordinary things in life came to be. Along the way, he researched the history of anything and everything, from architecture to electricity, from food preservation to epidemics, from the spice trade to the Eiffel Tower, from crinolines to toilets. And he discovered that there is a huge amount of history, interest and excitement - and even a little danger - lurking in the corners of every home.

Where A Short History of Nearly Everything was a sweeping panorama of the world, the universe and everything, At Home peers at private life through a microscope. Bryson applies the same irrepressible curiosity, irresistible wit, stylish prose, and masterful storytelling that made A Short History of Nearly Everything one of the most lauded books of the last decade.

©2010 Bill Bryson (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Thought-Provoking Funny Witty Suspenseful Imperialism War

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Editor reviews

A tremendous look at the very dense but often overlooked history of ordinary, everyday life can be found in the brilliant audiobook At Home: A Short History of Private Life, written and narrated by award-winning and appraised author Bill Bryson. This book delivers the perfect combination of lighthearted entertainment and thoroughly researched facts. Bryson’s beautifully constructed prose brings even the most seemingly insignificant of household items to an entirely exciting front. Listeners will find themselves gazing far more closely and with much more appreciation at the small items that make up much of their daily life. Available now from Audible.
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An interesting insight into how homes, and home life, evolved. There are some odd tangents where the topic doesn’t seem to relate much to the room, but one fact leads to another and the way our private lives have evolved will naturally lead to following a fact with only a tenuous at best link to the original point.

I enjoy Bryson’s narration but am aware his style doesn’t suit everyone - if that’s you then a print copy is well worth buying

Interesting if not always entirely relevant

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Took some time to finish. Great facts but some bits not for the squeamish!

A tad gory in places

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An array of interesting tales on how history forged the modern home. You're bound to be kept interested by this off the wall concept for a book.

Interesting concept

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Really interesting and enjoyable. Mr Bryson is pleasing to listen to with his soft tones and warm voice. The way the house is built into the bigger picture of historical goings on across its life time was educational. On the strength of this I will search out more if Bill Bryson a work.

A trip through time around the house.

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Just one interesting fact after another, all the way through. Very entertaining and all neatly tied together.

Really interesting throughout

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I can’t tell you how interesting this book is. I’ve been coming out with facts for weeks whilst listening to it! Bill B narrates it with love and interest and it’s such a good read. It’s a definite keeper to read again and again. As with all his books, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments! Bill presented me with my degree at Durham in 2006 and I was amazed at the capacity of his memory - he remembered each person’s name and talked to us all briefly as he handed us our scrolls. Top guy, top book, my favourite author.

Bill Bryson does it again!

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I probably listen to this book several times there is so many interesting facts to absorb.

Addictive listening

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Where does At Home: A Short History of Private Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Pretty high amongst the non-fiction books

What was one of the most memorable moments of At Home: A Short History of Private Life?

I was very interested in the bit about Monticello (home of Thomas Jefferson) as I was about to visit it. Its the kind of book where the information it contains suddenly comes to mind at different times but I could happily read it again.

What does Bill Bryson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I liked the fact that it was the author reading it and found his voice easy to listen to. So you get more of a sense of his personality.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Can't imagine a film of this book.

A wonderful way to absorb history

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I loved this - though some parts were obviously of more interest to me than others - otherwise it would be a 5 star review. I loved Bill's voice - I find the other readers, although more dynamic, so very American it puts me off. The fact that Bill has lived between the US and UK gives him not only a better perspective - but a more acceptable and relatable accent.

I love Bill Bryson

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not one you can easily fall asleep too. Full of fascinating information astounding how far we have progressed in the last 100 years and yet how far we still have to go.

well researched and presented

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