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Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe |  | Author: Bill Bryson
Publisher: Harper Perennial
List Price: $14.99
Buy Used: $0.92
as of 11/25/2009 04:31 CST details
You Save: $14.07 (94%)
New (35) Used (135) Collectible (5) from $0.92
Seller: greatbuybooks
Rating:  176 reviews
Sales Rank: 11840
Media: Paperback
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7
ISBN: 0380713802
Dewey Decimal Number: 914
EAN: 9780380713806
ASIN: 0380713802
Publication Date: April 6, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Like many of his generation, Bill Bryson backpacked across Europe in the early seventies -- in search of enlightenment, beer, and women. Twenty years later he decided to retrace the journey he undertook in the halcyon days of his youth. The result is Neither Here Nor There, an affectionate and riotously funny pilgrimage from the frozen wastes of Scandinavia to the chaotic tumult of Istanbul, with stops along the way in Europe's most diverting and historic locales. Like many of his generation, Bill Bryson backpacked across Europe in the early seventies--in search of enlightenment, beer, and women. Twenty years later he decided to retrace the journey he undertook in the halcyon days of his youth. The result is Neither Here Nor There, an affectionate and riotously funny pilgrimage from the frozen wastes of Scandinavia to the chaotic tumult of Istanbul, with stops along the way in Europe's most diverting and historic locales.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 176
 Europe uncovered October 25, 2009
EL
Across Europe, from Brussels to Bulgaria, Bill Bryson takes us up alleyways, into coffee shops with indifferent waitstaff, into overpriced museums, across ancient bridges and onto crowded buses through death-defying mountain passes, into magnficent town squares and finally, repairing, into various hotel rooms which occasionally overlook gloriously sunsetted harbors. It's a fantastic and schizophrenic yet entirely believable mix of experiences (even as Bill's out-loud thinking sometimes intrudes into the narrative). We're right there with him, thanks to his down to the dustball description of every minute detail alerting every sense. One can almost smell the malodorous feet of the geezer next to him on the bus to Belgrade. Or hear the Swedish girl of his dreams as she breathes into his deleriously drunken ear: "I'm fool of lust".
Mr. Bryson's amazing account of this journey falls back occasionally to a trip taken with a college buddy two decades earlier. At the start of the book this flashback is a little distracting and seems out of place, but as the diary progresses it makes sense; a brief understanding of his earlier trip comes in handy in spots as he looks back at how things have changed in the various countries he visits. The continuing communistic state of Bulgaria (in 1990) is particularly poignant and despite his gourmand-like tendencies, Mr. Bryson is not without honest compassion for the poor, currency-waving, bedraggled citizens queuing up to make meager purchases at nearly empty shops. Especially as he reposes in the only place of true civilized comfort in town: the Sheraton. It is also interesting to read the peaceful account of his stay in Sarajevo -- "the setting sun crowning a skyline of minarets and ... muezzins' tortured calls to prayer echoing over the rooftops" -- on the eve of the bloody few years which would follow in that region.
Mr. Bryson is a master at descriptive writing and a master of English, if not language in general. Second only to this is his skillful and biting sarcasm, which allows for at least one LOL moment per page. Some may find it tiresome, some of the humor IS repulsive and it DID border on "enough already" for me too at times. But I have to say, this is one of the most entertaining AND informative books I've ever read. I highly recommend it, if you can put up with Bryson's non-stop sarcasm and propensity for nerdy self-obsession.
Indexed; endpapers contain handy map of Europe with countries outlined. It is a curious oversight that Poland is unnamed.
Excellent travle companion September 13, 2009
Joe Duke (New York USA)
Bryson is a very funny writer, and this book will not disappoint. If you've ever travelled through Europe, or want to, this book is an unflinching look at many cities and countries, which will leave you laughing your tail off in many spots. Often cynical, insulting but accurate, this is a worthwhile companion to your average tour guide, and ranks up there with the best in travel books.
Good September 10, 2009
Gary L. Whitney
The book arrived slower than I expected, but the item was in good condition and I enjoyed the experience.
not your ordinary travel book August 28, 2009
J. C. Jeffers (Anchorage, AK)
Bill Bryson is an amazing story teller. If you've ever thought of visiting Europe, in this book, he tells you how it was (when he visited it many years earlier) and how it has changed and if you might like to go there. He has a great sense of humor and yet the book is filled with pathos as he relates to the people and the land. Read this book and then find his other travel books on hiking the Appalachian trail - "A Walk in the Woods", Austrailia " A Sunburned Country", or living in England and then returning to the U.S.A. and finding himself "I'm a Stranger Here Myself." Reader warning - some strong language does occur.
Funny and enjoyable! July 29, 2009
CDS (Boston,MA)
Bill Bryson is a masterful writer. He has the enviable talent of turning the most mundane occurrences into engaging and often hilarious anecdotes. I am envious of how far and how well he has traveled. While I may not always agree with his opinions, they are just that, opinions. What I really enjoy is how he shares them. In this book he covers an amazing array of countries and cultures. His insights aren't always spot on, but the are almost always amusing. I think his writing was a bit more crass and vulgar than in some of his other books, but it didn't detract much from my enjoyment of this book.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 176
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