Much as I resented having to grow up in Des Moines, it gave me a real appreciation for every place in the world that's not Des Moines. Bill Bryson appreciationgivegrow Change image and share on social
I'm definitely an American, because I grew up here. But I've lived very happily in Britain. Bill Bryson americanbritaingrow Change image and share on social
There'd never been a more advantageous time to be a criminal in America than during the 13 years of Prohibition. At a stroke, the American government closed down the fifth largest industry in the United States - alcohol production - and just handed it to criminals - a pretty remarkable thing to do. Bill Bryson advantageousalcoholamerica share on social
The remarkable position in which we find ourselves is that we don't actually know what we actually know. Bill Bryson findpositionremarkable Change image and share on social
Boston's freeway system is insane. It was clearly designed by a person who had spent his childhood crashing toy trains. Bill Bryson bostonchildhoodcrash Change image and share on social
I don't want to go and start trying to make jokes in places like India, Tanzania or Iraq. Afghanistan is not a funny place. Bill Bryson afghanistanfunnyindia Change image and share on social
I grew up, really, in the days before air conditioning. So I can remember what it was like to be really hot, for instance, and I can remember what it was like when your barber shop and your local stores weren't air conditioned, so it was hot when you went in them and they propped the doors open. Bill Bryson airbarbercondition share on social
I always wanted to do a baseball book; I love baseball. The problem is that a very large part of my following is in non-baseball playing countries. Bill Bryson baseballbookcountry Change image and share on social
I sometimes think I cannot write another passage about a disappointing meal ever again, because I've done it so many times. Bill Bryson disappointhavemeal Change image and share on social
Where I grew up, in Des Moines, Iowa, there is hardly any downtown economic activity now. Everybody shops in malls - you don't find a sense of community in malls. Bill Bryson activitycommunitydowntown Change image and share on social