Who would have thought that a book about english would be so entertaining. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. In it, he romps through the history of britain to reveal how english became such an infuriatingly complex but ultimately worldbeating language. Bill bryson was born in des moines, iowa, and grew up there, but has spent most of his adult life in britain. Its all about how english came to be the way it is and why its one of the most used languages. In neither here nor there bill bryson brings his unique brand of humour to bear on europe as he shoulders his backpack, keeps a tight hold on his wallet, and journeys from hammerfest, the northernmost town on the continent, to istanbul on the cusp of asia. The history of the world full audiobook part 1 youtube. He gained notoriety in 1995 with his book about england titled notes from a small island. Maybe its because of his encyclopedic knowledge of the english language. After 20 years as a london based reporter, american journalist bryson the mother tongue set out to retrace a youthful european backpacking trip, from arctic norways northern lights to. Book club genres all book club genres sorting by best selling this month book lists. In the mother tongue, bryson takes the reader on a tour through the formation and the use of the most common language in the world.
His books on the english language include mother tongue and troublesome words, both published by penguin. The mother tongue 1990 provides a unique and personal look at the history of the english language. I bought this book as im a fan of bill bryson s writing and i find language an interesting subject. Instead, a gentle humor, enamored of oddities, warms his discussion of the origins of english. His books on the english language include mother tongue and troublesome words, both published by penguin bill bryson is the author of several bestsellers including the lost continent, neither here nor. Youll learn how, thanks to its flexibility and adaptability, english has endured and flourished, despite centuries of invasions, uprisings and censorship. In it he romps through the history of britain to reveal how english became such an infuriatingly complex but ultimately worldbeating language. He began his writing career as a journalist and published his first book in 1985. Bill bryson 1951 is an american author of books on travel, language, and science. Wed love you to buy this book, and hope you find this page convenient in locating a place of purchase. Bill bryson is the best selling author of several humorous and informative books on travel with well written guides to such disparate locales as australia, africa, europe, and many sections of the united states.
Slight cover and edge wear, name 1st page, paperback book. A short history of nearly everything audiobook by bill bryson 9. Get the main points of the mother tongue with shortform book summaries. Bill bryson covers language its self with a focus on english. From the first descent of the larynx into the throat why you can talk but your dog. English and how it got that way audio book by bill bryson. With dazzling wit and astonishing insight, bill bryson the acclaimed author of the lost continent brilliantly explores the remarkable history, eccentricities, resilience, and sheer fun of the english language. If you find the tape version, you will want to play the tape over again as it cruses through many concepts that leave you thinking and speculating how it. The most detailed book summary of the mother tongue by bill bryson. The mother tongue english and how it got that way by. The mother tongue english and how it got that way by bryson, bill.
A short history of nearly everything audiobook bill. Have you ever wondered why bill bryson is such an interesting author. The main characters of this non fiction, history story are. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 270 pages and is available in paperback format. His wit and sheer prose fluency make at home one of the most entertaining books ever written about private life. With dazzling wit and astonishing insight, bill bryson the acclaimed author of the lost continentbrilliantly explores the remarkable history, eccentricities, resilience, and sheer fun of the english language. That is the bottom line, or the more ethereal learning from the book. Paused youre listening to a sample of the audible audio edition. With dazzling wit and astonishing insight, bill bryson the acclaimed author of the lost continentbrilliantly explores the remarkable history, eccentricities, resilience and sheer fun of the english language. Bryson moved to the uk in 1973 and remained there until 1995. A merry and bright baedeker to the english language, its history, character, and probable future. This highly entertaining bbc radio 4 series is written and presented by bill bryson and based on his bestselling book, mother tongue.
He has worked for a number of newspapers, including the times and the independent. Written by bill bryson, audiobook narrated by bill bryson. A short history of nearly everything audiobook by bill. The book covers speech from a historical view, a physical view, an environmental view, a utilitarian view, and many other views. Bill bryson is the new york times bestselling author of at home, a walk in the woods, the lost continent, made in america, the mother tongue, a short history of nearly everythingwinner of the aventis prizeand various other works. American expatriate to britain bryson proves a witty and knowing guide here, with scarcely a trace of the sneer that spoiled his popular tour of smalltown america, the lost continent 1989. Bill bryson books, ebooks, audiobooks, biography barnes. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. See all 22 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. The story of the english language by bryson, bill isbn. Bryson s statements in the book, language is more fashion than science. A short history of nearly everything by bill bryson animated book summary by. This was my first time listening to a bill bryson book and whilst the story had all the ingrediants i enjoy about his work, the narration made it difficult to fully appreciate. In it he romps through the history of britain to reveal how english became such an infuriatingly complex but ultimately worldbeating.