Bill Bryson

Narrator

Bill Bryson is an American-British author whose warm, witty, and intellectually curious books about science, language, travel, and history have made him one of the most popular non-fiction writers in the world. His ability to make complex subjects accessible, entertaining, and genuinely funny is virtually unmatched. Born in Des Moines,... Iowa in 1951, Bryson moved to England in 1977, working as a journalist for The Times and The Independent. He lived in North Yorkshire for many years before returning briefly to the United States, then settling permanently in the UK. He has described himself as feeling at home in both countries and belonging fully to neither. Notes from a Small Island (1995) and Notes from a Big Country (1998) established his reputation as a travel writer with a gift for observing the absurdities of both British and American life. Neither Here Nor There explored Europe. A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003) was his most ambitious and acclaimed work — a layperson's guide to science, from the Big Bang to the rise of civilisation, told with Bryson's characteristic warmth, wit, and wonder. The book won the Desmond Elliott Prize and the EU's Aventis Prize for Science Books, and has introduced millions of readers to science who might never have picked up a science book. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid was a memoir of his Iowa childhood. At Home explored the history of domestic life. The Body: A Guide for Occupants (2019) tackled human biology with the same accessible brilliance. Bryson served as Chancellor of Durham University from 2005 to 2020 and was awarded an honorary KBE for his contributions to literature. The audiobook editions of Bryson's books are superb — his conversational style translates perfectly to audio. His books and audiobooks are essential for anyone who wants to learn about the world while laughing out loud. Read more Show less