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Icons of England Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Bill Bryson (Author), David Rintoul (Narrator), Barnaby Edwards (Narrator),
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 934 ratings
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Brought to you by Penguin

This celebration of the English countryside does not only focus on the rolling green landscapes and magnificent monuments that set England apart from the rest of the world. Many of the contributors bring their own special touch, presenting a refreshingly eclectic variety of personal icons, from pub signs to seaside piers, from cattle grids to canal boats, and from village cricket to nimbies.

First published as a lavish colour coffeetable book, this new expanded edition has double the original number of contributions from many celebrities including Bill Bryson, Michael Palin, Eric Clapton, Bryan Ferry, Sebastian Faulks, Kate Adie, Kevin Spacey, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Richard Mabey , Simon Jenkins, John Sergeant, Benjamin Zephaniah, Joan Bakewell, Antony Beevor, Libby Purves, Jonathan Dimbleby and many more: and a new preface by HRH Prince Charles.

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  1. Listening Length
    6 hours and 37 minutes
  2. Author
    Bill Bryson
  3. Narrator
    David Rintoul, see all
  4. Audible release date
    September 10, 2020
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Penguin Audio
  7. ASIN
    B08643QZMP
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 6 hours and 37 minutes
Author Bill Bryson
Narrator David Rintoul, Barnaby Edwards, Ben Eagle, Terence Wilton, Homer Todiwa, Leda Hodgson, Sara Poyzer, Sara Novak
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date September 10, 2020
Publisher Penguin Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B08643QZMP
Best Sellers Rank #46,756 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#33 in Europe Travel & Tourism
#46 in Sociology of Rural Areas
#108 in Travel Writing & Commentary

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
934 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book enjoyable and well-written. They appreciate the interesting views of England and its unique heritage. The information is informative, with well-known entries and descriptions. However, opinions differ on the short stories - some find them heartfelt and enjoyable, while others consider them disappointingly short. Overall, readers find the collection of essays worth reading, though some feel it's not as good as other Bryson works.

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ReadabilityWriting styleEngland heritageInformation qualityShort storyValue for money
21 customers mention "Readability"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable to read. They describe it as a good, entertaining read that can be picked up and put down easily.

"Superb, this collection of essays is worth it alone for Eric Clapton's humble and heartfelt story...." Read more

"...A good book for picking up and putting down, and I hope it serves its purpose of increasing the value given to so many odd, wonderful corners before..." Read more

"...I was absolutely delighted by this book. There were a couple of scientific pieces that I couldn't understand so didn't read completely...." Read more

"...best writers, naturalists, musicians, artists, and scientists, it is delight and discovery...." Read more

19 customers mention "Writing style"15 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find the vignettes of English country life well-written and thoughtful. The book offers a variety of writing styles, from casual to formal, with beautiful descriptions of the countryside and icons of England. Readers appreciate the editing and the different writers for each chapter.

"...You can read it out of order, a few pieces at a time. Ponder the beauty, the nostalgia for childhood, the small everyday inclusions that make the..." Read more

"This is actually a collection of essays written by others and edited by Bryson, but each one is like a little jewel, charming on its own...." Read more

"...contains short (1-3 page) essays about icons of England, which are lovely and thoughtful and illuminating, but NOT written by Bryson...." Read more

"...Essays touch on an endless variety of topics. Writers are a varied mix from all walks of life; the artistic, musical, scientific, journalistic,..." Read more

11 customers mention "England heritage"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's view of England. They find the icons of the English countryside interesting and unique, making it a country to be proud of. The book is described as a terrific collection of stores celebrating the UK.

"...Here is are thoughts on trees, country houses, railway branch lines, rolling fields and many other icons of England...." Read more

"...The rest of the book is devoted to icons that make England such a unique country both in his history and quirkiness...." Read more

"...For me (an UK ex-pat) an interesting commentary on the English countryside, and some of its more endearing (though in some cases quickly vanishing)..." Read more

"...The essays on "things British" are well written and so diverse! They make me want to travel there even more :)" Read more

10 customers mention "Information quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative with well-known entries. They appreciate the engaging writing style and beautiful photography. The book serves as a reminder of England's cultural heritage.

"...are a varied mix from all walks of life; the artistic, musical, scientific, journalistic, comedic, and even Kevin Spacey who takes a ride on a..." Read more

"...The essays by many of England's best writers, naturalists, musicians, artists, and scientists, it is delight and discovery...." Read more

"...expecting...somehow I missed that it was brief but informative essays on MANY different topics...." Read more

"Bill Bryson can make even the driest information interesting and somehow manages to add humor into the mix, so the information becomes an..." Read more

9 customers mention "Short story"5 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the short stories. Some find them interesting and heartfelt, while others feel some are too short and could have benefited from more comment by Bryson.

"...of essays is worth it alone for Eric Clapton's humble and heartfelt story...." Read more

"...This book contains short (1-3 page) essays about icons of England, which are lovely and thoughtful and illuminating, but NOT written by Bryson...." Read more

"I was expecting it to be written by Bryson. Good stories but didn't really keep me interested." Read more

"...Any Angophile will love this collection of essays, some disappointingly short, but all little gems in their own right." Read more

9 customers mention "Value for money"6 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value. Some find it worth reading for Eric Clapton's insights and nostalgic depiction of British culture. Others feel it lacks Bryson's usual quality and is disappointing due to the short, factual articles.

"Superb, this collection of essays is worth it alone for Eric Clapton's humble and heartfelt story...." Read more

"...Unfortunately it is disappointing - the articles are short on fact and long on reminiscing about the past...." Read more

"...of something or somewhere that they love about England...It's well worth a read and you'll be pleasantly surprised when you see a chapter about a..." Read more

"...While it isn't, it is excellent in it's own right. The essays on "things British" are well written and so diverse!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • KNR 325
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and inspirational
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Superb, this collection of essays is worth it alone for Eric Clapton's humble and heartfelt story. Here is are thoughts on trees, country houses, railway branch lines, rolling fields and many other icons of England.

    I particularly enjoyed Tony Robinson's reminisces on Mick Aston and how Mick introduced archaeology to him, all the more poignant now, after the unexpected and sad passing of Professor Aston, a few months ago.

    Ignore the bad reviews - Bill has done a wonderful job of editing this book. Sure, we all wish he would release a new book every year to make us laugh out loud and learn simultaneously. However, that would be impossible and in the meantime, console yourself with reading this. You can read it out of order, a few pieces at a time. Ponder the beauty, the nostalgia for childhood, the small everyday inclusions that make the country unique.

    Highly recommended, inspires you to travel and explore England and to acknowledge the treasure it is for us all.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Cynthia N
    4.0 out of 5 stars A collection of jewel-like essays lauding out-of-the-way English corners
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is actually a collection of essays written by others and edited by Bryson, but each one is like a little jewel, charming on its own. It is like a written photo album with commentary and stories by people who passionately love one particular little piece of England. Many of them made me want to go visit places I never would have thought of as a destination; others took me back in time and helped me see that place as it was. A good book for picking up and putting down, and I hope it serves its purpose of increasing the value given to so many odd, wonderful corners before they disappear.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Karen C
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not actually BY Bill Bryson ...
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2010
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    OK, OK. I know it says "Edited by Bill Bryson". Apparently, I just looked at the big name on the cover and made some assumptions. I love reading Bill Bryson. Everything he writes makes me laugh. I wanted to read Bill Bryson humour about icons of England. This book contains short (1-3 page) essays about icons of England, which are lovely and thoughtful and illuminating, but NOT written by Bryson. The best part of the book for me was the short introductory passage written by Bill Bryson, which was only 6 pages. I was disappointed, but you may not be, if you clearly understand what you are buying.
    71 people found this helpful
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  • Jeannette Perry
    5.0 out of 5 stars Long Live the Icons of England!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2015
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    The scope of this collection of short essays about English icons is fascinating reading. Firstly, you must be an Anglophile to appreciate it. Bill Bryson is the editor; not a writer in this collection. Essays touch on an endless variety of topics. Writers are a varied mix from all walks of life; the artistic, musical, scientific, journalistic, comedic, and even Kevin Spacey who takes a ride on a canal boat. I was absolutely delighted by this book. There were a couple of scientific pieces that I couldn't understand so didn't read completely. But for the most part I enjoyed and gained a greater understanding of what it means to be British.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Elisa Berger
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sterling portrayals
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2010
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    Bill Bryson is "An American in England" - a wonderful writer in his own right, come to Briton by way of marriage. What he did in lauding America's Appalachian heritage in "Walk in the Woods" is accomplished here for England's natural heritage as part of his work as President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. The essays by many of England's best writers, naturalists, musicians, artists, and scientists, it is delight and discovery. Reveries of childhood on Britain's backbone - a most historical "terra firma." This tiny island bulwark of Western Civilization wills its treasures to a third millennium for safe-keeping.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • DavyG
    4.0 out of 5 stars Icons of England - Review
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2014
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    If you are looking for another of Bill Bryson's travel books that are as funny as they are informative, then you should only read the introduction, because that's all you will get from Mr. Bryson, although it is funny. The rest of the book is devoted to icons that make England such a unique country both in his history and quirkiness. Each chapter is written by a different writer, some are celebrities, others are writers, philosophers, each drawing from their own experiences of something or somewhere that they love about England...It's well worth a read and you'll be pleasantly surprised when you see a chapter about a tree or bird or anything that you knew when you were young, but had forgotten through the years....A thoroughly enjoyable read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Richard Morgan
    2.0 out of 5 stars Good stories but didn't really keep me interested
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2014
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    I was expecting it to be written by Bryson. Good stories but didn't really keep me interested.
    One person found this helpful
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  • chuckben
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bryson’s the bet
    Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2023
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    It’s edited by Bill Bryson. Nuf said. It’s a wonderful selection of thoughtful writings on the English countryside. This aspect of British travel is too often missed and this explains in some detail written by outstanding writers just exactly what you’re missing if you don’t stop and smell the … and just pick your flower. It also alerts you that if you miss it now it just might not be there next time. Just quite simply, there is absolutely nothing like the experience you’ll have in the English countryside. Nothing.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Natolie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another view of Britain ...
    Reviewed in Canada on September 7, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this book. I am well acquainted with British ideosyncrisities and the absurdities we cheerfully embrace in everyday life. However it takes a perceptive outsider, a foreigner, to bring them to our attention so that we are entertained, amused and become proud of our quirks and eccentricities. Its who we are, and as most of us do see the ridiculous in life we can laugh at ourselves and carry on as usual. It keeps us sane.
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  • Helmut Möhlig
    4.0 out of 5 stars Die Sicht des Engländer auf seine typische Natur-Landschaft sowie Kultur- und Technik- Gegenstände
    Reviewed in Germany on April 27, 2017
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    Schätze, die jeder Engländer "schätzen" sollte! Schöne kleine, in sich abgeschlossene Kapitel. Leicht lesbar, wenn auch unter Zuhilfenahme einer Landkarte. ;-)
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  • Aussie Barb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for travellers
    Reviewed in Australia on September 19, 2018
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    I loved this book and have told friends to be sure to buy it before travelling through the countryside of England. Beautifully written by so many authors and famous people , it gives an insight into places you will want to put on your "bucket List" . I loved the descriptions of the many places, buildings , villages etc, I feel as if I have visited some of them. A fascinating collection of very short stories and it would make an ideal gift or a wonderful coffee table addition . One of my most favourite authors, Bill Bryson, brings the whole book together in his usual style. Enjoy!
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  • Parthasarathi
    5.0 out of 5 stars But product as is good.
    Reviewed in India on August 11, 2015
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    Not exactly what I was hoping for contentwise. But product as is good.
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  • Janie S
    5.0 out of 5 stars An anthology.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2014
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    This book is not what I expected. If it says "by Bill Bryson" on the cover, not unnaturally one would expect it to be by Bill Bryson. In fact it's a collection of thoughts & remembrances about bits of England that appeal to different people & why, & it's really quite interesting what people feel the need to share with a complete stranger. Having said that, I really enjoyed the cricket story & would have liked a bit more on the Lincolnshire airfields, but as I live in Lincolnshire that's hardly surprising! A book to dip into, mildly entertaining in parts, but not one to keep forever.
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