I'm going to stick my neck out now and say One
Summer by Bill Bryson gets my vote for my Book of the Year!
Yes, with some weeks left in 2013 and a bit of
reading to do I doubt I will find anything that has caught my attention as much
as this.
I have loved Bill Bryson for many years and read
all of his books, and recently been reliving them through talking book - Bill
reading his own stories. That is something to behold! Or is it
belisten?
He has the most lovely trans-Atlantic accent and
his turn of phrase is like no other; you get the nuances, and his very subtle
and dry humour with him reading his own words!
And what words too, his use of language and
descriptors are delightful.
Over the years he has moved from travel stories
to historic pieces, still in his own inimitable style but not quite as juicy as
the earlier stuff.
One Summer is a return to glory and may well be
the best thing he has ever written.
It is history, the history of America in one
amazing Summer in 1927, and what a Summer that was!
Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic and
aviation was in full swing. Babe Ruth begun hitting them out the ballpark in
Baseball. The Mississippi basin flooded. There was murder and bombings, all
reported heavily by newspapers which were at their peak and becoming tabloidy.
Al Capone was at large. The first talkie, The Jazz Singer, was filmed. Mount
Rushmore began to take shape. And the stock market crashed.
One Summer focuses on Aviation and Baseball
initially, which I admit is not an area I would normally read about and it was
fascinating, but after a few chapters, my attention began to wan. Just as that
happened he started to introduce other strands of subject matter. He weaves in
and out of each story, giving you a little back history, just enough to bring
you to the pivotal point in 1927 and then sweep into something else. It is
beautifully constructed and makes the varying subject matter easy to follow and
enjoy.
It is one hell of a ride, there are other minor
stories, including presidents and political officials, celebrities of the time,
important figures in history who's names are long forgotten and less important
figures who we cannot forget. He writes about popular music, authors and films
of the time also. It covers all bases. His eye for detail, the kind of detail
that is intriguing and interesting, is superb. He knows what will lure people
in.
I have listened to this over the past three
weeks, only when I was in my car and missed it so, when I was home sick and not
driving!
I cannot recommend it highly enough, in book form
or on talking book.
Go, go, go now!
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