'One of his best books.' -- The Independent 'Delightful bite-size essays that exude affection while debunking the ridiculous with wonderful succinctness ... This is not a book to be read in a single sitting. It is one to be savoured.' -- The Times 'Bryson is great when explaining the idiosyncracies of America to middle England and making it funny... He is both serious and contemptuously funny.' -- The Guardian