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Product Description
Book Description
England: our favourite things, by well-known names led by Bill Bryson, Michael Palin and Eric Clapton.
Product Description
This celebration of the English countryside does not only focus on the rolling green landscapes and magnificent monuments that set England apart from the rest of the world. Many of the contributors bring their own special touch, presenting a refreshingly eclectic variety of personal icons, from pub signs to seaside piers, from cattle grids to canal boats, and from village cricket to nimbies.
First published as a lavish colour coffeetable book, this new expanded paperback edition has double the original number of contributions from many celebrities including Bill Bryson, Michael Palin, Eric Clapton, Bryan Ferry, Sebastian Faulks, Kate Adie, Kevin Spacey, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Richard Mabey , Simon Jenkins, John Sergeant, Benjamin Zephaniah, Joan Bakewell, Antony Beevor, Libby Purves, Jonathan Dimbleby, and many more: and a new preface by HRH Prince Charles.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
100 of 102 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm a fan of Bill Bryson and have his books (and audio books) in abundance, and always take at least one on holiday with me or if I'm away for a weekend.
So I bought this on the day it appeared, having seen his name on the cover. I recognised the style of illustration, the typeface, and therefore gladly took the plunge BUT as has been pointed out he did not write this. His contribution is the intro, and then apparently some 'editing'. So what you get is a list of people who claim the title 'celebrity' who tell us about their favourite bits of the country, their memories of childhood, or whatever pops into their acclaimed celebrity minds. Do I care what Trisha and the rest think about anything? No I don't. This book was dropped off at the charity shop very quickly and hopefully the British Heart Foundation will benefit from it far more than I did.
Initially I read the waffle contributed by some of the celebs (specifically, those people who don't annoy me) and then I tried some of the jottings by people who I've never heard of, and then on principle alone (having paid good money for this) I picked my way through those efforts written by people who ordinarily I couldn't care less about. And that's that, each one lasts a page or two and are all pretty much worthless unless you happen to be enamoured with the celebrity culture which we currently live in.
This product should not be emphasising Bill Bryson's name, and the cover art should not have been designed and illustrated in the style of all his other books. It's misleading, because it has very little to do with him. This sort of book is not for me. Some like it, I don't. I'll examine in detail the next book bearing his name before potentially wasting money on it!
So I bought this on the day it appeared, having seen his name on the cover. I recognised the style of illustration, the typeface, and therefore gladly took the plunge BUT as has been pointed out he did not write this. His contribution is the intro, and then apparently some 'editing'. So what you get is a list of people who claim the title 'celebrity' who tell us about their favourite bits of the country, their memories of childhood, or whatever pops into their acclaimed celebrity minds. Do I care what Trisha and the rest think about anything? No I don't. This book was dropped off at the charity shop very quickly and hopefully the British Heart Foundation will benefit from it far more than I did.
Initially I read the waffle contributed by some of the celebs (specifically, those people who don't annoy me) and then I tried some of the jottings by people who I've never heard of, and then on principle alone (having paid good money for this) I picked my way through those efforts written by people who ordinarily I couldn't care less about. And that's that, each one lasts a page or two and are all pretty much worthless unless you happen to be enamoured with the celebrity culture which we currently live in.
This product should not be emphasising Bill Bryson's name, and the cover art should not have been designed and illustrated in the style of all his other books. It's misleading, because it has very little to do with him. This sort of book is not for me. Some like it, I don't. I'll examine in detail the next book bearing his name before potentially wasting money on it!
49 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was disappointed when I received this book.
Mainly because it was not written by Bill Bryson, but it was articles written by other people and only edited by him,which was not made clear in any publicity.
Mainly because it was not written by Bill Bryson, but it was articles written by other people and only edited by him,which was not made clear in any publicity.
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I just finished my copy of Icons of England and I have to admit my pleasant surprise. Not just a rehash of traditional `English' countryside imagery, the book is full of witty and touching antidotes from all over the country, including the cities.
Although the list of celebrity contributors was no great draw to me, the fact that many are professional writers or journalists has resulted in a much better read then books that traditionally sell because of the `celeb' factor.
As a cricket fan, I would compare reading this book, to listening to Test Match Special: relaxing, cosy, often witty and a comfort in times of trial.
Although the list of celebrity contributors was no great draw to me, the fact that many are professional writers or journalists has resulted in a much better read then books that traditionally sell because of the `celeb' factor.
As a cricket fan, I would compare reading this book, to listening to Test Match Special: relaxing, cosy, often witty and a comfort in times of trial.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not as good as his original books
Whilst I enjoyed the book it didn't have the easy flow of Bill Bryson's first few books. It was interesting to read what an American considers to be English icons and largely I... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Teen
Bill Bryson only EDITS this book - he didn't actually write it!
I am the world's biggest fan of Bill Bryson, and I was really disappointed by this book. Perhaps it's not his fault, though. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Maureen
Not Bill
It's O.K. But. Because it's a collection of other people writing about their Icons of England, it doesn't have that Bill Bryson magic!
Published 5 months ago by Wjcox
Brilliant Book!
Very quick delivery with no problems or waiting around. A birthday pressie for my Dad who thoroughly enjoys Bill Bryson was very pleased and has thoroughly enjoyed reading the... Read more
Published 9 months ago by J. C. C. Atkinson
Too easy...
As with other reviewers I assumed this was a Bill Bryson book - I have read and enjoyed most if not all of his books (yes, even the big one about Everything). Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mark Stephen Vear
Proof that lending a good name to a mediocre product is a bad thing.
I can only give a very average rating to this, but that's probably because I'm a huge fan of Bill Bryson, so the disappointment to discover that Bryson's only done what amounts to... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. J. H. Wheeler
this is not Bill Bryson.
I was hoping for some Bill Bryson style, insight, quotes... but nope, just a lot of washed up drivel from people who miss their childhoods. Save your money and buy something funny!
Published 14 months ago by Mr. Richard Artes
England
disappointing - husband bought it for me because I am a Bill Bryson fan but I saw it was only edited by him - a publishing 'cheat' to get people to by a not very good book
Published 14 months ago by Mrs. T. Vert
Book review of Icon of England
A very varied selection of contributions but each was far to short to be really captivating. However as with all Bill's books it was easy and enjoyable.
Published 15 months ago by Rambo Rog
not what i expected
A friend is a great fan of Bill Bryson and I ordered this for him for a Christmas present. However, I returned it as it is not actually a Bill Bryson book as such but a... Read more
Published 17 months ago by glo
Listmania!
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