When can I go? December 20, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Visiting and observing every state in America is no doubt a mammoth task, but Stephen Fry has done the best job possible. The photos are brilliant, the encounters are interesting and what I really love, is that this is in no way a travel guide. Obvious tourist hot spots are left out in favour of opportunities to really see the character of each State.
I love Stephen's writing style, it's humorous and educated, and I often keep a dictionary and Wikipedia to hand to research further the topics that are touched upon.
Overall this is a highly recommended insightful tour of some of the lesser-known elements of the United States, as well as providing alternative viewpoints of the more familiar ones.
Brilliant December 6, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Stephen Fry is a legend, everything he does is intelligent and smart. I prefer this book to the accompanying TV series. Fry has the most wonderful writing style and where the TV series seems rushed and at times exhausting to watch and observe as the lovely Fry tries to developed each story it's obvious that the clock is against him. I like to be able to browse and enjoy his work at leisure. I really love this book.
From Cover to Shining Cover November 2, 2008 15 out of 16 found this review helpful
Having read the three and four star reviews, I had second-thoughts about purchasing 'Stephen Fry in America'. But after purchasing the book on the back of watchin three episodes of the TV programme I was compelled to write a review and it is one of 5 stars, as I'm sure you may be aware of! I can tell you my friends, that this well put together travelogue of a quintessentially Englishman's journey through and into the heart of America is almost definitely a book everyone who 'views' this item on amazon should purchase. I don't want to slate the former reviews (apart from the 5 star one, great outlook ol' chum) because they're entitled to create their own opinions but they are wrong! To quote Mike D of the Beastie Boys, "I don't speak what I hear, I just say what I know" and this will form the basis of my own review, which I hope will prove informative and may tip the balance in favour of you buying this book. And I am an independent source, I'm not on Stephen Fry's payroll (NB* If he has one, can somebody please get in touch with me). Firstly, the price of this book, as of 2/10/08 (or to be topical 10/02/08), on Amazon is 9, which is 1 cheaper than the low price of ASDA and Waterstones, is very reasonable especially seeing as it is in hardback and vibrant in colour, and perhaps more central, priceless with in the qualitative and quantitative information it is crammed with. Fry starts off in Maine, following an interesting and humorous introduction. From the off, one can simply tell that this tale is going to be an insightful and intriguing journey through all 50 states. Fry does not fail to miss out the `little man' which he seems to stress as being so important in the fabric of the American global blanket. I won't list every single tale from every single encounter in every single tale for I feel it is a story you need to embark upon yourself. But I can tell you he meets one very special Hollywood A-lister, and this isn't even the highlight of the saga! This very factual and delightfully subjective account avoids falling into that massive cavity of the all-too common `America-bashing', something the man makes clear he is not a fan of. This book is not a fact-by-fact, number-by-number tale but rather an engrossing book which will see you turning the page faster and faster, your fingers will be moving faster than a New York Minute, or faster than a mid-western diner waitress swiftly topping up the `bottomless coffee' of her thirsty patrons. Stephen Fry, the stand up for America guy! A warming and enlightening tale that is sure to warm up your autumn. Purchase in confidence of owning a great book that I'm sure you will be able to go back to again and again, until Fry embarks upon another such journey, perhaps of England!
A fine milshake of a book: smooth, creamy and satisfying October 28, 2008 15 out of 16 found this review helpful
Facing the Introduction to this book is a picture of a satisfied "Steve" (Fry's American alter-ego) enjoying a strawberry milkshake in a typical American diner. This sets the tone for what follows.
Fry's Great American Journey is both idiosyncratic and insightful. He present's the country as he finds it: take it or leave it. You be the judge. No doubt some will be disappointed by what is not included, but that is part of the nature of the USA that Fry tries to convey: it is too large and eclectic for anyone (even natives like myself) to get to know all it.
The United States is a giant grab-bag of a nation. Everytime you dip into it you pull out something different: strange, new, old, delightful, appaling or simply intriguing. You cannot stereotype a nation of 300 million people descended from the scrambled cultures of the world and spread over thousands of miles of varying terrain. To his great credit "Stephen" Fry does not attempt to do so. Here is one celebrity travelogue worth reading.
Fascinating October 16, 2008 3 out of 9 found this review helpful
This is a very positive and upbeat view of America, showing the country at its best. It would be lovely to see Mr Fry doing a similarly enthusiastic tour of Britain's counties. Come on the BBC, let's see that series next!
