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'A fascinating look at one of the world's most complex and confusing countries, this is a story told with the wit and warmth we expect from Fry.' Stoke on Trent Sentinel
‘A very funny take on life across the pond.’
BAA Emporium
Review
'A fascinating look at one of the world's most complex and confusing countries, this is a story told with the wit and warmth we expect from Fry.' Stoke on Trent Sentinel 'A very funny take on life across the pond.' BAA Emporium
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Facing the Introduction to this book is a picture of a satisfied "Steve" (Fry's American alter-ego) enjoying a strawberry milkshake in a typical American diner. This sets the tone for what follows.
Fry's Great American Journey is both idiosyncratic and insightful. He present's the country as he finds it: take it or leave it. You be the judge. No doubt some will be disappointed by what is not included, but that is part of the nature of the USA that Fry tries to convey: it is too large and eclectic for anyone (even natives like myself) to get to know all it.
The United States is a giant grab-bag of a nation. Everytime you dip into it you pull out something different: strange, new, old, delightful, appaling or simply intriguing. You cannot stereotype a nation of 300 million people descended from the scrambled cultures of the world and spread over thousands of miles of varying terrain. To his great credit "Stephen" Fry does not attempt to do so. Here is one celebrity travelogue worth reading.
Fry's Great American Journey is both idiosyncratic and insightful. He present's the country as he finds it: take it or leave it. You be the judge. No doubt some will be disappointed by what is not included, but that is part of the nature of the USA that Fry tries to convey: it is too large and eclectic for anyone (even natives like myself) to get to know all it.
The United States is a giant grab-bag of a nation. Everytime you dip into it you pull out something different: strange, new, old, delightful, appaling or simply intriguing. You cannot stereotype a nation of 300 million people descended from the scrambled cultures of the world and spread over thousands of miles of varying terrain. To his great credit "Stephen" Fry does not attempt to do so. Here is one celebrity travelogue worth reading.
73 of 77 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"Oh no, not ANOTHER travel book, written by some jumped-up celebrity hoofing it around some unheard of corner of the world, almost gloating at me, saying 'Look where I am, you're not here, ha ha'...oh, hang on! Stephen Fry, is it? I quite like him. And he's in America? Hmmm...I'm intrigued."
And that's how this book made it into my hands. I don't usually go for books like these, but because it's Stephen Fry, I took the plunge. Am I ever glad I did.
Stephen Fry travels across USA's 50 states on a mission: to discover the real America. As a country everyone seems to have an opinion on, this comes as being very timely. Is the stereotype of the 'Fat Dumb Yankee' fact or fiction?
In the hands of any other author, such a journey would be dull and cliched, always ending with the inevitable 'my perception's completely changed' wrap-up. But such is Stephen Fry's voice, intelligence and wit, that his writing leaps out at you, and you can almost hear his voice booming in your ear as he guides you from Maine to Hawaii in a black cab. His observations and opinions are wonderful; insightful yet humourous, thoughtful yet sharp. What's best is that it allows you to draw your own conclusions. All the evidence is laid out before the reader: it's up to you to make your own assumptions.
This is a book that could be recommended to practically anyone and everyone: it's big, full of lavish pictures and crammed with facts, and can be either dipped into or read cover to cover. It's a perfect companion piece to the upcoming TV series. Brilliant.
And that's how this book made it into my hands. I don't usually go for books like these, but because it's Stephen Fry, I took the plunge. Am I ever glad I did.
Stephen Fry travels across USA's 50 states on a mission: to discover the real America. As a country everyone seems to have an opinion on, this comes as being very timely. Is the stereotype of the 'Fat Dumb Yankee' fact or fiction?
In the hands of any other author, such a journey would be dull and cliched, always ending with the inevitable 'my perception's completely changed' wrap-up. But such is Stephen Fry's voice, intelligence and wit, that his writing leaps out at you, and you can almost hear his voice booming in your ear as he guides you from Maine to Hawaii in a black cab. His observations and opinions are wonderful; insightful yet humourous, thoughtful yet sharp. What's best is that it allows you to draw your own conclusions. All the evidence is laid out before the reader: it's up to you to make your own assumptions.
This is a book that could be recommended to practically anyone and everyone: it's big, full of lavish pictures and crammed with facts, and can be either dipped into or read cover to cover. It's a perfect companion piece to the upcoming TV series. Brilliant.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A very heavy book full of not very much information. It matches the TV series because that felt like it was a quick skip through the USA as well.
It's a very frustrating book to read. There is just enough information to make you to read more, but it just isn't there. Some of the States are given woefully small page space, much as they were given short shrift in the series.
The lack of meaty text makes it difficult to wade through. You read it hoping for more, wanting detailed description and less bloody "wit". No matter how much Stephen Fry tells you he's in love with the country that doesn't come across from what he's writing.
And it is such a heavy book, weighs a ton, thick paper, all giving the impression of a weighty tome and yet with so little in it. A real shame.
It's a very frustrating book to read. There is just enough information to make you to read more, but it just isn't there. Some of the States are given woefully small page space, much as they were given short shrift in the series.
The lack of meaty text makes it difficult to wade through. You read it hoping for more, wanting detailed description and less bloody "wit". No matter how much Stephen Fry tells you he's in love with the country that doesn't come across from what he's writing.
And it is such a heavy book, weighs a ton, thick paper, all giving the impression of a weighty tome and yet with so little in it. A real shame.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Strephen Fry in America
Much like the tv series Fry did not spend enough time in each state. In my opinion he should return and make a more in depth study of the country. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Tony Cross
A very personal book
I didn't know Stephen Fry, for I'm not even British, but I've always thought that limiting your reads to the authors you know is quite silly. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Cristian
Fantastic!
What a complete joy to read!
Yes, obviously he had to speed through some states as he outlines with regret in the book's introduction, but it doesn't diminish the enjoyment of... Read more
Yes, obviously he had to speed through some states as he outlines with regret in the book's introduction, but it doesn't diminish the enjoyment of... Read more
Published 23 months ago by trendytracey
Unutterably silly
I've long been a fan of Stephen Fry. His verbal dexterity in live comedy, such as on QI, is clearly of genius quality. Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2010 by morristhepen
Entertaining
It seems there is a common misunderstanding with books published inspired by programmes broadcast on the BBC. Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2009 by Artsreadings
Ambitious
I did not watch the TV series but gave the book a go nevertheless. Loved the introduction and couldn't wait to dive in. Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2009 by Timmey O'Toole
Inspiring and beautifully written
Stephen Fry is simply awesome. His beautiful and eloquent use of the English language is as stunning as the landscapes within. Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2009 by Mr. S. D. Stallebrass
potboiler
A spin off from the TV series [which I didn't see] it is a cynical, moneyspinning mistake. Stephen Fry can do so much better if he puts his mind to it but he clearly devoted little... Read more
Published on 6 Oct 2009 by Dr. R. J. Davies
Stephen Fry
It's not hard to see why stephen Fry is the guy who is most 'twittered'. This is a book that could be recommended to practically anyone and everyone: it's big, full of lavish... Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2009 by Patrick Brandel
Who doesn't love Stephen Fry?
Stephen Fry is definitely one of those people who qualify as a National Treasure. His style of writing is engaging and erudite and his love and enthusiasm for America comes across... Read more
Published on 27 July 2009 by C. Ball
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