Who is Bill Bryson - travel writer, historian, linguist, science writer? If you look at the range of his published work, you will find that he straddles quite a few genres and successfully at that.
At Home is his latest. A historical look at the people of Europe and America with a British residence as the anchor point. Have you ever wondered why there are four tines to a fork, why toilets are as they are? Well, this book has the answer.
Bill takes the simple premise that a home is ultimately where history comes to reside and traces the origins of objects and concepts that are associated with individual rooms - the kitchen, the cellar, the attic and so on. He therefore writes a history of the world without leaving home. The world in this case of course is largely Europe and America with linkages to China, India, etc. traced where they are relevant.
For example, a journey starting from the kitchen covers the gastronomic history of England, the role and life of servants, the evolution of cutlery and dining etiquette amongst other things. Similar excursions are triggered by the bedroom (including an exposition on Victorian sexual mores), bathrooms (Victorian privy habits) and various other rooms.
An entertaining and informative read in the author's characteristic wry, detail oriented style. Unlike his earlier travel books which I tended to devour as close to one sitting as possible, this is a book that can be spaced out and read a chapter at a time. In fact, given the amount of history in it, it can get a bit heavy at times.
This is a so-so read - interesting, pedantic and boring in parts. Now how can we get Bill into a plane and fly him off to a strange country for his next book?
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