Notes from a Small Island 1 of 7

[@utahdan231]

Thank you for posting. I adore Bill Bryson. I own all his books. A lot of laughs and entertainment. I had a privilege to meet him in the bookstore. He was promoting his book One Summer:America , 1927. He’s a gem.

[@DownhillAllTheWay]

This series is wonderful - not because it speaks of a great country or a great power, or anything like it, but because of its nostagia. It feels to me like a reaching out for something that is just out of reach - or that isn't there any more. Living in this country, I see many of these things as "just how it is" - but hearing it through the experiences of Bill Bryson, I see things that were always there, but that I never *_saw_* before. With a pinch to the soul, I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@robthomas2166]

I miss everything about him. I still re-read his work and re-read them (in my head) in his tone of voice and unique vocal delivery. It's probably weird but it's a way I can conjure him in his absence/retirement. This is the latest I've head of him and I'm happy he still sounds like good ole Bill: www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/bill-bryson-author-interview-k0cj6j37h He is comforting in a way and though I posted these from a DVD collection, phew years ago now, I never thought people would still be watching them so that makes me happy; indeed I didn't originally post them for others but so I could watch them from time to time dreaming to get to England one day. I now wish I would have added them into a single video for ease of viewing but the DVDs were in several discs so that's how I uploaded them. Every few years I read a comment or two (because my twins use my account and it's filled with their pre-teen shenanigans) and am amazed at the common thread of appreciation viewers have for this series. I love hearing the perspectives of native Brits and how Bill brought to life such a truly enchanting and absorbing place.

[@robthomas2166]

In fact, I just re-watched the first 2 videos in the series and had an absolute blast laughing my ass off. If nothing else, these are incredibly, delightfully humorous observations by being simultaneously reverent and irreverent - a perfect yin/yang - to my mind, the greatest gift of Britishness I've come to appreciate and cherish.

[@dlittlester]

@@robthomas2166 I've got most of his books, and I find myself rereading them. He is may favourite author of all time.

[@ThePosiview]

New to Bill Bryson and listened to every book I can find. Cant believe it took me until 61 years before listening. What an amazing man and a phenomenally entertaining author/reader 😊

[@angelwingz892]

I read these books some 17 or 18 years ago and loved them. Bill has great powers of observation and a real love of England.

[@hemiolaguy]

Fry and Bryson -- Two of my favorite writers sharing a ride in a taxi! Wonderful!

[@RonnyTertnes]

Was not even aware of this TV series :) loved the book, almost finished the little dribbling audiobook, love it all :) Thank you!

[@ThePosiview]

We need more Bill. A LOT more Bill 😊

[@barbaradiprima7331]

I too just finished reading Little Dribbling. So glad to know about the series. Can't wait to see them all. Bill has such a nice voice.

[@janesheehan8511]

Great! Thank you so much for uploading 😊

[@winifredlalgie6361]

My pa gave me this book a year ago and everytime I started reading it i keep putting it down and rereading the sams pages for so long I'm thankful that ave found this 🙌 thank you for uploading

[@watermelonineasterhay]

I liked the book a lot, so glad I have this to watch too 👍

[@Gcarse]

Loved the book but never seen this documentary. Just finished part 1 and look forward to watching the rest. Thanx for posting Geoff Digweed.

[@robthomas2166]

+Geoff Carse My pleasure Geoff Carse!

[@SuperJajaco]

the book is my all time favorite

[@ianking664]

Jan Jacobsen I agree Jan love the way he gets us British to laugh at ourselves

[@antonylawrence7266]

My word, Steven Fry looks so young ! Utterly delightful show - cheers Rob

[@karenmacintosh7138]

I love Bill.

[@roadwayrona]

Many, many thanks indeed - much appreciated!

[@francescotutolo4986]

I started traveling thanks of his books , is quite difficult form me understand this video because there are not subtitles, i really like Bill Bryson books , i read all his books (in italian ) today i bought his latest booko on amazon !

[@katashworth41]

This is what got me in to his books (I was probably too young to read the book at 12, more due to the less than child friendly language than anything else) mainly due to my mum saying I think you'll like this show, he's in Blackpool for this one (just down the road from me) and I'm glad she did, loved The Road To Little Dribbling, and the seal of approval for a favourite pub of mine just makes it that bit better

[@philread7668]

God - I love you Bryson. Years since I read this. Do it again, while you still can - please.

[@philread7668]

This is you doing it again. Laughed out loud when I saw Stephen Fry behind the wheel

[@cyberboxx]

I just finished reading 'The Road to Little Dribbling' and like Graeme [below] I noticed the reference of the TV Series. I searched KZbin and found G.Digweed's uploads. .. Thank you, very much, indeed, Geoff Digweed for the upload.

[@robthomas2166]

+cyberboxx Nice! I did finally get to it and it was great probably just one of the few times I will re-read it... Don't know who else does this but I find myself reading his books in his own voice inside my head... The thing I love about him are his wild tangents e.g. he may be talking about his house a la "At Home' as he walking up to the door and then go on this lovely ramble about the history of doors and door knobs and door hinges... it's really kind of a unique writing style. Some would say unfocused, I'd say charming.

[@utahdan231]

Same here. I’m listening to it for a third time and came across the reference. Two hours later I’m watching it.

[@pauljarvis7428]

Likewise. Looking forward to watching these as I read the book years ago but didn't know the series existed until reading his latest book.

[@AlisonBryen]

Brilliant! Thank you for uploading, I remember watching this on Sunday evenings when I was 14...I read the book cover to cover shortly afterwards!

[@AlisonBryen]

Bill Bryson : A true honorary Brit in my opinion !

[@robthomas2166]

+brandybuck1984 Yea I'm a real Brit nerd and Anglophile from the colonies and have read the book a couple of times, even tracked down a large print version when I was having eye trouble, plus would listen to the audio book at night.... do you think I've overdone it a bit?

[@AlisonBryen]

+Geoff Digweed No not at all; it's a great book about all that is great (and absurd) about Britain ! I'm British and I learned a lot about my country from within it's pages! It's been well over a decade since I read it; I should give it another read soon.

[@mm-im5ww]

wow thanks for this upload. I love Bill Bryon's works most esp this and Neither here nor There.

[@Zebradeen]

Thank you thank you thank you! Have been looking for this since I heard BB had new book due! Can't wait to catch up with him on his travels again.

[@robthomas2166]

Jay MacB I know right? Don't forget A Walk in the Woods movie with Robert Redford & Nick Nolte coming about the same time...

[@commodore665]

+Jay MacB am currently reading the new book , very funny , and now I can put a voice to the words too

[@robthomas2166]

+commodore665 I pre-ordered the Kindle edition (out 1/19) but very tempted to grab the hardcover because I'm impatient and it's been too long since the original lol!

[@howey935]

I live in a small town a couple of miles south of Durham city and there’s a house with a blue plaque on my street. It’s for one of the pit artists Norman Cornish.

[@firdausibrahim32]

just finished reading his book with the same title.

[@garysmith8073]

At 22:41 the Cabbie with the Salt Pepper hair was my driver in London. I believe so . I have him on Cancorder .

[@larryparis925]

Thank you for sharing this! Larry, Taiwan

[@superhooch]

Stephen Fry drove his black cab around America and wrote a book and filmed a TV series about the experience. The opposite of American Bill Bryson travelling around the UK.

[@FRANKTHRING1]

Entertaining and thought-provoking documentary but for me this series fails to convey the belly-achingly laugh-out-loud quality of Bryson`s travel books. He is easily the Thurber or Mark Twain of the 21st century.

[@goodstorylover]

Absolutly agree :o)

[@jiggersotoole7823]

Me too. It's a book to read for maximum effect.

[@dublinius]

Why is he dragging around a huge suitcase? In the books he only ever has a backpack.

[@chrisread4818]

Was this originally on ITV? 22 minutes is a strange length for a TV show. I' guess it was 30 minutes with ads

[@katashworth41]

Chris Read It was. I think it was cut into 7 episodes to escape copyright strikes.

[@truckerfromreno]

It starts at Prescot, not a street in St Helens.

[@drinksnapple8997]

Keep it. Keep Britain. Keep London. Been there, lived there, and I don't even look back. To each his own.

[@futuregirl8803]

Sorry you had a bad experience of our country 💖

[@sherlockrobin597]

Love Bill Bryson. Haven’t met a scouser who didn’t think they were hilarious, and I’m yet to laugh at a single thing any one of them has ever said.

[@aahhrrgg]

brilliant.

[@CinemaDemocratica]

How on earth did you get these? And are the seven parts here the complete series? I kind of feel like it might be missing some, but it's been a long time and I could be wrong.

[@neddyladdy]

What is a "clip joint". I have heard it before but don't know what it means. something tht might be considered sleazy ? US probably not Brit term I think.

[@d.dinneen1194]

neddy laddy It's a sleazy place where they scam naive tourists into thinking they'll be getting off with a prostitute, but instead the victim is charged a load of cash simply to receive a watered down (alcoholic) drink (the attractive lady quickly dissappears) and the lights are deliberately kept low so they can't see the prices - in the past I'm guessing it also referred to movie theatres that show porn, but they're no common anymore...

[@unasperanza9803]

This was filmed at a time of innocence look how young Stephen Fry is and Alexi Sayle and the Duke of Edinburgh still alive and before red alerts or level s be they terror or corona ..Innocent times!!Also before ubers and soho on its last legs!!

[@jamesmason8436]

What year was this filmed? London so different - like a different era and I bet it's only been 15 - 20 years.

[@dovic86]

I think it was filmed in 1998

[@jomac2046]

Australia does not have a tipping culture. A living wage is the norm and relying on tipping to fill the gap is not a thing. The Warwick Avenue Cabmen's Shelter and another 12 are still in various locations around London.

[@deafmusician2]

I love your books (even though I'm a hardcore Republican!)!! I'm a HUGE FAN!

[@kelman727]

London cab drivers are polite...?

[@tobysinbad]

can confirm sleeping rough in Dover *Fucking Sucks*

[@deafmusician2]

HAZLITT's!!!!

[@revejmal]

How... TF ...did I get here?!

[@vaxfiles9529]

He wouldn't like London anymore.

[@patrickthrelfall8749]

He still lives here

[@stuartgish]

Almost read 'Notes From a Small Island'. Quite entertaining, especially dealing with Lincoln where I lived for 19 years. I was, however, taken aback by the absolute pomposity of the author in McDonalds and the counter staff who promoted the sale of the dessert. It was the cashier's job to tempt customers. Bryson's probably never been behind a counter. I was dismayed by this show of ignorance.

[@watermelonineasterhay]

I thought that too! It's so rude and unnecessary, they're just doing what the manager tells them or they get penalised. Have a go at the manager if anyone. I think he was just sleep deprived and hungover, that messes with your head a lot.

[@awinbisa]

I suspect he used a bit of artistic license when writing. I don’t believe Ehe could actually be that rude, he was probably thinking it but didn’t actually say it.

[@pippop5828]

was searching for the chrono trigger song, ended up here. Let's see where this takes me.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

🔃

[@Curfew2007]

a good record of the history of the once GREAT Briton - shame all the greatness is now being destroyed by invaders and the #WEF including their agenda 2030 . . .😞

[@chipsthedog1]

Karl Marx had a maid?

[@Rid3thetig3r]

The guy who never worked a day in his life, sponged off every acquaintance he ever made, got his maid pregnant and kicked her out...this is the guy who thought that sharing out EVERYONE ELSE'S money was the solution to the problem.

[@ad-skyobsidion4267]

Comment 66

[@Marcelo-Caruccio]

Why a brit trying to speak with sn American accent????????

[@Nezumi66]

Because he IS American (watch the first couple of min's again) :)

[@melaniescarlet01]

He was born as an American but acquired a British citizenship after living in the UK after more than 20 years, I guess?

[@rodericksloan1255]

Melanie Lane 😂

[@kelman727]

He’s an American, moron...

[@tobyjackman3212]

Good grief

[@freddymarcel-marcum6831]

Don't let Islam destroy it any more.

[@tobyjackman3212]

Great that even with something as seemingly innocuous as a Bill Bryson clip you're never too far from a raging racist cretin. That's KZbin!

[@katashworth41]

The only things I’ve seen destroyed by Islam are from my mate. The fact he’s Muslim has nothing to do with his innate clumsiness (pool cues to the ribs hurt by the way) and goes to mosque as often as many “Christians”.

[@Rid3thetig3r]

@@tobyjackman3212 Islam isn't a race. Someone is a cretin, that's for sure....

[@moodeh81]

Greedy bankers have used immigrants as a suitable distraction for their impoverishment of the small towns and country side of this once great country. If you think Islam is ruining your country, you don't know how life works.