The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir | Bill Bryson

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir | Bill Bryson | The 21st Century Jean Shepard

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The Life and Times...

	The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir Bill Bryson Broadway, 2007 - 288 pages average customer review:based on 58 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Both informative and entertaining

I have read two other books by Bryson and enjoyed them but wasn't sure I'd like this, probably because it was about being a child in the fifties (my childhood experiences were in the seventies) in Iowa America (I'm in Yorkshire, England) however I shouldn't have doubted his talent for relating life experiences to just about everyone.

I laughed out loud at his father's out of character taking the family to Disneyland as well as the motley crew of childhood relatives and friends he describes.
He could actually be describing any of our childhoods, from teenage crushes, the hierarchy of a gang of mates, Saturday morning cinema, comics and school. Which ever western country you grew up in you no doubt learnt to read from a book where 'Father' always wore a suit and 'Mother' a frilly apron and everyone said "look" at the beginning of each sentence!!

As well as being informative about 1950's America, it's a really entertaining read for those who like to look back happily on their childhood.

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The 21st Century Jean Shepard

To any of you out there who remember and liked Jean Shepard's book "In God We Trust - All Others Pay Cash" - and for those of you that never heard nor read Shepard's book or of Shepard himself, then you owe it to yourself to read this great memior of a baby boomer growing up in the Mid-west during the 50's - Bryson is very much like Jean Shepard - writing and conveying in a masterful sense what it was like growing up as a pre-adolescent in another time. Although I am about the same age as Bryson, I do remember listening to Jean Shepard on the radio and also reading his books as a teenager which transported me back into the 40's and Jean's adolescence - and Bryson, really does just a good of a job as Shepard - only I could connect more with the pop culture of the 50's more than the 40's - some great writing here - and a phenominal style that makes you laugh to yourself (and to others as well) when reading this great piece of nostalgia.

It's a fun and fast read - and anyone of any age can appreciate it. Go ahead and get ahold of this book - you won't regret it once you start reading it - it is hard to put down and not think about what you read in each chapter.

Buy it, Read it, Enjoy it!

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Better than Walk in the Woods!

My husband and I listen to this on CD on a recent road trip. At one point I had to pull off to the side of the road because I was laughing so hard I couldn't see straight! Although Bryson is best known for Walk in the Woods, I think this book is funnier and more insightful. I think this will eventually be the book he is most known for. I bought several copies of the print version for christmas presents and will probably by more for birthday presents in 2008.

A laugh out loud book

I am the product of the late 50's early 60's. I could so relate. I loved the book.

Reliving my own Childhood

I'm just now reading Bryson's works and am enjoying the process. Thunderbolt Kid took me back in time. The details of his memoirs are well researched and presented in a lively, fun way. From the names of the candy bars to the tassels some women wore - it's all there. He reminds us of the the thoughts we thought and the pranks we carried off. There are hundred's of similar items that trigger memories of childhood - several showing up each time you turn a page. His descriptions are familiar, comfortable and quite funny. This is a book you will reread a second time.

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