I often go out for a walk with my little dog here in an area of England where the countryside is spectacularly beautiful - the Malvern Hills area of Herefordshire/Worcestershire - gorgeous pathways and meadows and tracks through woodlands. It is often SPOILED by the litter irresponsible people leave lying about - not all of them chavs dropping their ale cans and fast food rubbish and crisp packets etc - I've seen older people just drop rubbish on the ground even when a litter bin is near by!
My three favourite books are "Notes from a big country", "A Walk in the Woods" and "Down Under". Must say they are hilarious too read and I enjoy them almost as much when I read them for the fifteenth time then the first. Thanks Bill for making me laugh !
I'm a fan of Bill Bryson - he understands the British, but I cannot understand why an American (nice as he is) seems to be the voice of common sense in this country. Do we not have anyone to whom the general population will listen any more? Don't misunderstand me - Bryson is a nice man; he's right and I'm glad someone raises this sort of issue but why don't we have a celebrity or politician who will raise such matters to the public notice?
@s10m0t10n Well, really, I think it is due to the fact that he spent a good amount of his life strolling around british and european towns and villages. As a guy who does that hes bound to see more splendid sights ruined by litter. Politicians are (at least I hope they are because they should be) busy with more important things like trying to save an economy, although realistically they are probably just stuffing there pockets with money and fucking off before shit hits the fan.
@s10m0t10n I am guessing that as an Anglophile and one who can distance himself from the country as a foreign national, he is well placed to see the problem. Litter is more prevalant today than it was back in the 70s so the problem has crept up on us somewhat. Maybe someone more high profile should pick up this baton and run with it - another non-Brit celebrity with a higher profile. I too love Bryson and his work, but he's just not 'A' list enough to be taken notice of.
I buy his audio books on cd, for two reasons. 1. Because I am dyslexic, I would never have read his amazing books.2. Listening to his voice really makes the books in to a dimension.
@avisionofsorrow Its just his own brand of dark humour I guess. I never took offense when he wrote about Britain or Germany and anyone who did needs to lighten up. He can do worse as well. Remember when he said its no wonder so many swedish people kill themselves because the guy at his ticket booth didnt speak english? Yeah.
His writing always seems to me to be in an "american accent".
Great writer. Reading him is like visiting a nicer world. But having just seen a Panorama programme on binge drinking and the behaviour associated with it, that world seems further away.
@germangirlinengland Unless your pages talk to u ,how would u know. safe to say spending 20 yrs -most of his young adulthood would influence his accent. He has an American influenced by the upper class Brit accent.
I love his book, he takes the piss but in a funny way, fat bastard..
VonDoomm 3 months ago
he said crisp packet!!!
ah06ict342 4 months ago
Is that Sarah Palin's twin sister?
baillou2 7 months ago
I often go out for a walk with my little dog here in an area of England where the countryside is spectacularly beautiful - the Malvern Hills area of Herefordshire/Worcestershire - gorgeous pathways and meadows and tracks through woodlands. It is often SPOILED by the litter irresponsible people leave lying about - not all of them chavs dropping their ale cans and fast food rubbish and crisp packets etc - I've seen older people just drop rubbish on the ground even when a litter bin is near by!
Gavestonful 7 months ago
My three favourite books are "Notes from a big country", "A Walk in the Woods" and "Down Under". Must say they are hilarious too read and I enjoy them almost as much when I read them for the fifteenth time then the first. Thanks Bill for making me laugh !
9999pharlap 11 months ago
I'm a fan of Bill Bryson - he understands the British, but I cannot understand why an American (nice as he is) seems to be the voice of common sense in this country. Do we not have anyone to whom the general population will listen any more? Don't misunderstand me - Bryson is a nice man; he's right and I'm glad someone raises this sort of issue but why don't we have a celebrity or politician who will raise such matters to the public notice?
s10m0t10n 1 year ago
@s10m0t10n Well, really, I think it is due to the fact that he spent a good amount of his life strolling around british and european towns and villages. As a guy who does that hes bound to see more splendid sights ruined by litter. Politicians are (at least I hope they are because they should be) busy with more important things like trying to save an economy, although realistically they are probably just stuffing there pockets with money and fucking off before shit hits the fan.
LitaniTilSatan666 8 months ago
@s10m0t10n I am guessing that as an Anglophile and one who can distance himself from the country as a foreign national, he is well placed to see the problem. Litter is more prevalant today than it was back in the 70s so the problem has crept up on us somewhat. Maybe someone more high profile should pick up this baton and run with it - another non-Brit celebrity with a higher profile. I too love Bryson and his work, but he's just not 'A' list enough to be taken notice of.
BiteYerBumHard 5 months ago
Litter pisses me off. Litterers should be exploded. It's too easy to avoid doing.
Sodeggy 1 year ago
I'm a cynical swine, but I've always found his writing charming and well-meaning. He's a humourous chap.
neiltay2002 1 year ago
I buy his audio books on cd, for two reasons. 1. Because I am dyslexic, I would never have read his amazing books.2. Listening to his voice really makes the books in to a dimension.
bluegruntfuttock 1 year ago
he has a very trans atlantic accent
MyBleedingRoses19 1 year ago
@MyBleedingRoses19 he moved to England when he was 21 so he will do
kathrynashworth1 1 year ago
Bill's is a very enjoyable author- so much unwarranted hatred on some of his videos.
Any criticism he has given to Britain is more than justified and much worse things could be said about this decaying country.
avisionofsorrow 2 years ago
@avisionofsorrow Its just his own brand of dark humour I guess. I never took offense when he wrote about Britain or Germany and anyone who did needs to lighten up. He can do worse as well. Remember when he said its no wonder so many swedish people kill themselves because the guy at his ticket booth didnt speak english? Yeah.
LitaniTilSatan666 8 months ago
This guy gave me my degree!! He is an amazing author and a very nice man!!! All the best Bill!!
dunelmite1 2 years ago
His writing always seems to me to be in an "american accent".
Great writer. Reading him is like visiting a nicer world. But having just seen a Panorama programme on binge drinking and the behaviour associated with it, that world seems further away.
mcgigglish 2 years ago
@mcgigglish He puts yanks into a British accent. His writing style goes back and forth.
voneinemkindgefict 7 months ago
Thank you for recording and uploading this Breakfast item on the growing litter problem.
Crosbyeyes 2 years ago
An American with a strong English accent...When I read his books I would never have thought he actually aquired an English accent.
germangirlinengland 2 years ago
That's just what I was thinking!!
It's really cool to hear him talk though, because I LOVE his books...nice to put a voice to the words. "A Walk in the Woods" is my favorite one :)
thrice3muses 2 years ago
@thrice3muses get "a short history of nearly everything" on audio book, its amazing!
mtoothaLo 1 year ago
@germangirlinengland Unless your pages talk to u ,how would u know. safe to say spending 20 yrs -most of his young adulthood would influence his accent. He has an American influenced by the upper class Brit accent.
burdivad 1 year ago
@germangirlinengland well he lived there 20 years, it's only natural...
lebensraummetal 1 year ago
Thank you for sharing!
KateSilvertonChannel 3 years ago