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The Lost Continent

Travels In Small Town America

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The Lost Continent

By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: William Roberts
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About this listen

 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. From the Deep South to the Wild West, from Elvis' birthplace through to Custer's Last Stand, Bryson visits places he renamed Dullard, Coma, and Doldrum (so the residents don't sue or come after him with baseball bats). But his hopes of finding the American dream end in a nightmare of greed, ignorance, and pollution. This is a wickedly witty and savagely funny assessment of a country lost to itself, and to him.

©1989 Bill Bryson (P)2014 Audible, Inc. North America Travel Writing & Commentary United States Funny Witty Feel-Good Old West Wild West

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All stars
Most relevant  
I’m a huge fan of Brysons and have all his books in my conventional book collection. I’m gradually revisiting his works on Audible which is very enjoyable. The first thing you notice about this book is the lack of ‘political correctness’. His schoolboy like references to the deficiencies of certain individuals may well offend some people, but placed in the context of the time it was written you might just be able to excuse the often nasty and unnecessary descriptions, poking fun at people’s weight, physical appearance or lack of intelligence. Being English and having visited several of the States Bryson travels through and narrates upon I found empathy with many of his descriptions, Americans are very different to Europeans. Much of his observation is witty and caustic, the historical references are interesting and guided me towards reading more on certain places and historical figures. The book can get monotonous at times, but then I guess when the subject matter in the towns he visited appeared so limited, the monotony merely reflects the monotony of the places visited. He makes digs at his fellow Americans, the commercialisation, the emphasis on making money from tourists being the biggest. If you read the book in the manner that it was written, a no holds barred, consistent and honest reflection of what America had become when the book was written underpinned by a caustic humour you’ll enjoy it. If you expect PC and a gentle reflection on the places visited you’ll be disappointed, sometimes bored and even offended. It’s not a book to get you started with Bryson, but if like me, you’ve come to understand his style and humour then it is another gem that sits comfortably in my collection. The narration is excellent, again reflecting Bryson’s style and abrasive tone. If you give up on this one don’t give up on Bryson or you’ll be missing some of the best travel writing ever created.

Not a book for first time Bryson readers.

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Depressing listening. He grumbled too much. Not as good as 'a walk in the woods'

Grumpy Bryson

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How does Bill Bryson do it? All his books are consistently witty, funny and very entertaining.

Another excellent listen.

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Not bad, made me laugh a few times, possibly bit negative. My American friend with whom I shared some of his observations wasn’t amused particularly. So that’s good, I’d recommend at the price I bought it on sale.

Funny at times

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Fascinating insights into the reality of the twenty-first century mainland US of A brought to life by Bryson’s epic road trip through the heartlands.

Smoke & Mirrors - The Reality Of The American Dream

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This is a travel book about Bill Bryson’s road trips to the east in the autumn of 1987 and to the west in the spring of 1988, seeing 38 of the United States, starting in his home state of Iowa. He drives alone and is curmudgeonly company: he complains more than he enjoys and has frequent run-ins with waitresses and hotel receptionists. He moans about the characterless sprawl of fast-food joints and souvenir shops, gas stations, motels, and roadside diners; and occasionally delights at the beauty, charm or majesty of a place. Some of his views (about people) feel a bit dated now, but he could already see the environmental degradation and scars of capitalism and consumerism. He doesn’t visit the deep south.

The narrator of this audiobook edition, William Roberts, captures Bryson’s tone of voice well and does a good job of the various accents. By the end of the book, I’d forgotten that I wasn’t listening to Bryson himself.

Grumpy travels through 38 of the United States

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This is a funny book, and it makes you laugh. Job done, it gets four stars. But, there is nothing extra in the book. There are no real insights into the American small town. Most of the book is about Bill himself. Everything is focused on him and his memories. Still, made me laugh....

Funny but pointless

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I'm a great fan of Bill Bryson and particularly this book as it was the first I read some 10 years ago
It still makes me laugh out loud

Hilarious

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Most enjoyable, as his other books, I am Gradually, working my way through them!. I think a walk in the woods will be next

The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson

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Having read this book at least 25 years ago, I wasn’t sure how it would now hold up given the huge amount of change in the world. Fantastically is the answer to that little question! Bill is probably more cutting and edgy in his ‘early’ work and this has me roaring with laughter on numerous occasions.

Truly worth the money and the investment of time, as long as you don’t easily take offence. Great listen.

Mathis book has stood the test of time.

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