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Made in America |  | Author: Bill Bryson
Publisher: Harper Perennial
List Price: $14.99
Buy Used: $1.09
as of 11/23/2009 07:12 CST details
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Seller: bookgalorenmore
Rating:  61 reviews
Sales Rank: 10078
Media: Paperback
Pages: 432
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.2
ISBN: 0380713810
Dewey Decimal Number: 420.973
EAN: 9780380713813
ASIN: 0380713810
Publication Date: March 1, 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com Review
Readers from Toad Suck, Arkansas, to Idiotsville, Oregon--and everywhere in between--will love Made in America, Bill Bryson's Informal History of the English Language in the United States. It is, in a word, fascinating. After reading this tour de force, it's clear that a nation's language speaks volumes about its true character: you are what you speak. Bryson traces America's history through the language of the time, then goes on to discuss words culled from everyday activities: immigration, eating, shopping, advertising, going to the movies, and others. Made in America will supply you with interesting facts and cocktail chatter for a year or more. Did you know, for example, that Teddy Roosevelt's "speak softly and carry a big stick" credo has its roots in a West African proverb? Or that actor Walter Matthau's given name is Walter Mattaschanskayasky? Or that the supposedly frigid Puritans--who called themselves "Saints," by the way--had something called a pre-contract, which was a license for premarital sex? Made in America is an excellent discussion of American English, but what makes the book such a treasure is that it offers much, much more.
Product Description
Bill Bryson, who gave glorious voice to The Mother Tongue, now celebrates her magnificent offspring in the book that reveals once and for all how a dusty western hamlet with neither woods nor holly came to be known as Hollywood...and exactly why Mr.Yankee Doodle call his befeathered cap "Macaroni."
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 61
 Fun read October 12, 2009
Lowrie Beacham (Efland, North Carolina United States)
If you have read Bryson before--this is more of the same, and you'll love it; if not, be warned, this guy could make a snake laugh; you'll find yourself annoying family and even strangers, reading them hilarious paragraphs. Worse, you may find yourself imitating his style, making snarky comments that get you in trouble. A sample: Bill seated himself in a restaurant, despite a sign saying, "Wait to be seated." When the waitress commented sourly, "Well, I see you seated yourself," he replied brightly, "Yes! And I dressed myself too!" You can see what hot water that could get you into...
But it's more fun than most of life, read him and be refreshed.
Bryson ' s Made in America is delicious fare. July 10, 2009
R. A. Dillon (Massapequa,NY)
Bryson continues his insightful,informative and amusing ways with Made in America. In this great book he answers many questions regarding American English usage and how so many idioms and expressions came into everyday usage. Anyone who uses words (even if only in everyday conversation) will enjoy his clever and interesting presentation.
Massapequa Dick
 Pleasant, but not as much as it could have been May 8, 2009
R. Weber (North Carolina)
Most of the 3- and 2- star reviews cover what I would say, in general. This book really doesn't give that much etymological information as opposed to "debunking" what Mr. Bryson calls myths. As one other reviewer noted, he relies rather heavily on Howard Zinn; so, if you agree with Zinn's People's History, you will enjoy this book more than one that doesn't subscribe to that particular viewpoint. Even though there is much humor to be enjoyed, it is obvious that the author does not care for religion or religious people at all. This leads to many simple errors such as conflating the Puritans and the Pilgrims over and over again. Not to mention that he equates those that can't read a box of cornflakes with those that prefer the Bible to unscientific philosophical materialism. His leanings are transparent only after you get into the book. If you are expecting some type of objective look at the uniqueness of American English, I believe that you will be disappointed. To his credit, he does recognize the dangers of the PC movement. I wonder how he feels today (2009), 15 years after he wrote that, to see the harm that has come from it.
Interesting Read on History of American English January 2, 2009
S. Riley (Chicopee, MA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
well-researched (no surprise from Bill Bryson), intelligent, interesting and sometimes funny, this is a nice light read for anyone interested in linguistics, Americanisms, food history and several other topics (also chapters on sex, movies, travel, politics etc)...a funny little book on the lighter side of American history
Read it! December 12, 2008
A. Schuricht
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I teach English at the college level and have just had this book approved to teach next semester. I happened to pick it up at Borders because I liked A Walk in the Woods so much, and wow! The chonological arrangement of the chapters makes it easy to follow, and I appreciate all the research he must've done. He really chose words that the everyday citizen can relate to, but also peppered the text with words even I had to look up--so I think it will appeal to many levels. I decided to use it in my English class because my students have a hard time understanding that WE create the language and its rules, not some nerdy grammarians in a think tank somewhere. Also, it is an interesting trip through our history showing how we define ourselves through language. Looking forward to reading it over and over again to prepare for next semester.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 61
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