by Bill Bryson
First published 2010
Step into Bill Bryson's historic Norfolk rectory and uncover the surprising stories behind the mundane objects that fill our homes. From ice cubes to window glass, Bryson weaves together a tapestry of social, economic, and scientific history that illuminates the unexpected evolution of domestic technology. Poking into the past's nooks and crannies, Bryson brings his signature humor, curiosity, and love of the offbeat to this delightful tour of the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Genres: history, 20th-century, non-fiction, 21st-century, 19th-century, academic
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: curiosity, offbeat
Setting: Monticello, Mount Vernon, Biltmore Mansion, North Carolina, Chrysler Building, Norfolk, England, Crystal Palace, Skara Brae, Scotland, Chicago, United States, Great Britain, Erie Canal, Great Lakes, New York, Eiffel Tower, London
Period: 1851, 19th Century, Age of Exploration, 1825, 1850, 1856, 1930, Gilded Age, 17th Century, 1800s
497 pages · Hardcover · Doubleday