At Home
A Short History of Private Life
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
At Home
Buy Now for $29.14
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Bill Bryson
-
Written by:
-
Bill Bryson
About this listen
From one of the most beloved authors of our time—more than six million copies of his books have been sold in this country alone - a fascinating excursion into the history behind the place we call home.
“Houses aren’t refuges from history. They are where history ends up.”
Bill Bryson and his family live in a Victorian parsonage in a part of England where nothing of any great significance has happened since the Romans decamped. Yet one day, he began to consider how very little he knew about the ordinary things of life as he found it in that comfortable home. To remedy this, he formed the idea of journeying about his house from room to room to “write a history of the world without leaving home.”
The bathroom provides the occasion for a history of hygiene; the bedroom, sex, death, and sleep; the kitchen, nutrition and the spice trade; and so on, as Bryson shows how each has figured in the evolution of private life. Whatever happens in the world, he demonstrates, ends up in our house, in the paint and the pipes and the pillows and every item of furniture.
Bill Bryson has one of the liveliest, most inquisitive minds on the planet, and he is a master at turning the seemingly isolated or mundane fact into an occasion for the most diverting exposition imaginable. His wit and sheer prose fluency make At Home one of the most entertaining books ever written about private life.
©2010 Bill Bryson (P)2010 Random House AudioYou may also enjoy...
-
The Body
- A Guide for Occupants
- Written by: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 573
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 479
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 475
Bill Bryson once again proves himself to be an incomparable companion as he guides us through the human body - how it functions, its remarkable ability to heal itself, and (unfortunately) the ways it can fail. Full of extraordinary facts (your body made a million red blood cells since you started reading this) and irresistible Bryson-esque anecdotes, The Body will lead you to a deeper understanding of the miracle that is life in general and you in particular. As Bill Bryson writes, "We pass our existence within this wobble of flesh and yet take it almost entirely for granted."
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Required reading for the self-aware
- By Dr. Gordon K. McIvor on 2020-02-04
Written by: Bill Bryson
-
Shakespeare
- The World as Stage
- Written by: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 40
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 33
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 32
William Shakespeare, the most celebrated poet in the English language, left behind nearly a million words of text, but his biography has long been a thicket of wild supposition arranged around scant facts. With a steady hand and his trademark wit, Bill Bryson sorts through this colorful muddle to reveal the man himself.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Wonderful
- By PDubya on 2021-05-16
Written by: Bill Bryson
-
Made in America
- Written by: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: William Roberts
- Length: 18 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 28
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 22
In Made in America, Bryson de-mythologizes his native land, explaining how a dusty hamlet with neither woods nor holly became Hollywood, how the Wild West wasn't won, why Americans say 'lootenant' and 'Toosday', how Americans were eating junk food long before the word itself was cooked up, as well as exposing the true origins of the G-string, the original $64,000 question, and Dr Kellogg of cornflakes fame.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Loved it.
- By Amazon Customer on 2019-06-28
Written by: Bill Bryson
-
One Summer
- America, 1927
- Written by: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 17 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 43
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 33
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 33
One of the most admired nonfiction writers of our time retells the story of one truly fabulous year in the life of his native country - a fascinating and gripping narrative featuring such outsized American heroes as Charles Lindbergh, Babe Ruth, and yes Herbert Hoover, and a gallery of criminals (Al Capone), eccentrics (Shipwreck Kelly), and close-mouthed politicians (Calvin Coolidge). It was the year Americans attempted and accomplished outsized things and came of age in a big, brawling manner. What a country. What a summer. And what a writer to bring it all so vividly alive.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
listened to this book four times
- By Guy Graveline on 2019-08-25
Written by: Bill Bryson
-
The Secret History of Christmas
- Written by: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 25
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 20
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 20
Christmas is the single biggest annual event on the planet, a time for merry-making, over-indulgence, peace, goodwill, and the occasional family row. It’s as comfortable and familiar as a pair of old shoes and yet still glittery and exciting. But what do you really know about it? It’s stuffed full of traditions and rituals that most of us have been observing all our lives without having the slightest idea of where they come from.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Pretty good - Short and Sweet
- By RICHARD E on 2022-11-29
Written by: Bill Bryson
-
The Lost Continent
- Travels In Small Town America
- Written by: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: William Roberts
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 36
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 33
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 34
Hardly anyone ever leaves Des Moines, Iowa. But Bill Bryson did, and after 10 years in England he decided to go home, to a foreign country. In an ageing Chevrolet Chevette, he drove nearly 14,000 miles through 38 states to compile this hilarious and perceptive state-of-the-nation report on small-town America.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Disappointing!
- By Pierre Gauthier on 2021-05-17
Written by: Bill Bryson
-
The Body
- A Guide for Occupants
- Written by: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 573
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 479
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 475
Bill Bryson once again proves himself to be an incomparable companion as he guides us through the human body - how it functions, its remarkable ability to heal itself, and (unfortunately) the ways it can fail. Full of extraordinary facts (your body made a million red blood cells since you started reading this) and irresistible Bryson-esque anecdotes, The Body will lead you to a deeper understanding of the miracle that is life in general and you in particular. As Bill Bryson writes, "We pass our existence within this wobble of flesh and yet take it almost entirely for granted."
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Required reading for the self-aware
- By Dr. Gordon K. McIvor on 2020-02-04
Written by: Bill Bryson
-
Shakespeare
- The World as Stage
- Written by: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 40
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 33
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 32
William Shakespeare, the most celebrated poet in the English language, left behind nearly a million words of text, but his biography has long been a thicket of wild supposition arranged around scant facts. With a steady hand and his trademark wit, Bill Bryson sorts through this colorful muddle to reveal the man himself.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Wonderful
- By PDubya on 2021-05-16
Written by: Bill Bryson
-
Made in America
- Written by: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: William Roberts
- Length: 18 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 28
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 22
In Made in America, Bryson de-mythologizes his native land, explaining how a dusty hamlet with neither woods nor holly became Hollywood, how the Wild West wasn't won, why Americans say 'lootenant' and 'Toosday', how Americans were eating junk food long before the word itself was cooked up, as well as exposing the true origins of the G-string, the original $64,000 question, and Dr Kellogg of cornflakes fame.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Loved it.
- By Amazon Customer on 2019-06-28
Written by: Bill Bryson
-
One Summer
- America, 1927
- Written by: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 17 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 43
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 33
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 33
One of the most admired nonfiction writers of our time retells the story of one truly fabulous year in the life of his native country - a fascinating and gripping narrative featuring such outsized American heroes as Charles Lindbergh, Babe Ruth, and yes Herbert Hoover, and a gallery of criminals (Al Capone), eccentrics (Shipwreck Kelly), and close-mouthed politicians (Calvin Coolidge). It was the year Americans attempted and accomplished outsized things and came of age in a big, brawling manner. What a country. What a summer. And what a writer to bring it all so vividly alive.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
listened to this book four times
- By Guy Graveline on 2019-08-25
Written by: Bill Bryson
-
The Secret History of Christmas
- Written by: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 25
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 20
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 20
Christmas is the single biggest annual event on the planet, a time for merry-making, over-indulgence, peace, goodwill, and the occasional family row. It’s as comfortable and familiar as a pair of old shoes and yet still glittery and exciting. But what do you really know about it? It’s stuffed full of traditions and rituals that most of us have been observing all our lives without having the slightest idea of where they come from.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Pretty good - Short and Sweet
- By RICHARD E on 2022-11-29
Written by: Bill Bryson
-
The Lost Continent
- Travels In Small Town America
- Written by: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: William Roberts
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 36
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 33
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 34
Hardly anyone ever leaves Des Moines, Iowa. But Bill Bryson did, and after 10 years in England he decided to go home, to a foreign country. In an ageing Chevrolet Chevette, he drove nearly 14,000 miles through 38 states to compile this hilarious and perceptive state-of-the-nation report on small-town America.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Disappointing!
- By Pierre Gauthier on 2021-05-17
Written by: Bill Bryson
What the critics say
What listeners say about At Home
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- m&m
- 2020-02-14
Great listen. A good survole of early England.
Mr. Bryson is pleasing to the ear. Such a piece is a great reminder of the dangers of conceptual living; Victorian times.
Would and have recommended.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- ssm reader
- 2022-02-16
Informative
Informative
I found the content very interesting.
I enjoyed learning about so many things.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Joyce Chisholm
- 2021-06-30
Delicious Morsels of Detail
Ah the history of our homes snd the contents there in is so delectable...Bill Bryson is the best person to write znd perform it!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- JN
- 2021-01-01
Unexpected Pleasure!
I can't recommend this book highly enough.! It was a stab in the dark. I had not heard of the book or the author, I simply wanted a book that wasn't a novel, wasn't political and wasn't some heavy tome seeped in Egyptian or Grecian History. I have all those. What a pleasant surprise! Beautifully written and researched by Bill Bryson and so well narrated. I loved it... it's like a treasure trove of "wows" and "oohs and ahhs". History has never looked so interesting. Congratulations Mr. Bryson, I will recommend this to everyone I can think of . I will also explore your other books now....but think that this will always be my favorite. Thank you.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2022-07-22
interesting. But a very loose through-line
an enjoyable listen, but bill takes us on a very circuitous series of historical discussions that feel only loosely hung on the premise of telling the story of domestic life by going through room by room. the tangents that come out of that sometimes feel like a bit of a stretch, and not always the best direction to go. for example in telling the story of the kitchen, the author tells us the somewhat tangential story of the European spice trade. in a later chapter, as fascinating as this information is, it doesn't come together that nicely as a book. Rather it feels more like the author had some stories he wanted to tell, and works the theme a bit to fit them in.
It's fascinating and theatrically told, if a bit hodgepodge.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ryan
- 2024-03-26
Fantastic
Now that I’ve listened to this book, I will be going out to purchase a paper copy. I’ll also be listening to or reading all the Bill Bryson I can get my hands on.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Deb Ransom
- 2021-01-07
Storyteller extraordinaire
Bill Bryson, seemingly effortlessly, takes us through the development of home throughout history. I am fascinated by the way he weaves the tales of history in such an engaging way regarding a very simple subject. His humour and curiosity are peppered throughout this book, keeping you entertained while educating you.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jess Paquette
- 2022-12-15
Fascinating read
Interesting and well researched book about so many little facets of history. Especially the bit about how of all the possible spices on the planet, salt and pepper became the two main spices places on our dining room tables. Very much enjoy Bill Bryson’s voice reading his own book as well.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- andrea
- 2024-05-25
my most favourite.
Who knew all this stuff? And to understand that the romantic Victorian era wasn't as we dream ot was, is a revelation for which I am most grateful to learn. Bryson's books always leave me impressed and better in the know. What a great way to learn. These all should be part of every secondary school curriculum.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Claire
- 2019-04-16
Fascinating!
Packed with historical facts, Bill Bryson is able to deliver with an interesting and satirical take of how Home life has changed throughout time.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful