On The Fly

In this episode, I Just Want Coffee . . . Do you have a favorite author? Let me introduce you to one of mine; you may know him from the book  A Walk in the Woods , which was made into a movie in 2015 with Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, and Emma Thompson – his name is Bill Bryson. Bryson is an American-born author, journalist, and travel writer known for his humorous and engaging prose style. He has written many best-selling books on various topics, including travel, science, language, and history. Bill Bryson was born in 1951 and grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Drake University in Des Moines but dropped out before graduating. After a stint in the U.S. Army, he moved to England in 1973, where he met his wife and began his writing career. Now, when I need a hearty laugh, I listen to Bill Bryson narrate his books via audiobooks by audible. It's a great way to start your day smiling while working around the house, cleaning the garage, or bicycling. While poking around for somethi...

U.K. Book Cover Only the most dedicated students of history may remember the "resplendent name of Philo T. Farnsworth" says Bill Bryson in his latest book, One Summer America, 1927 . But could they recall what he patented that year? Did you know 1927 was Yankee sluggers, Lou Gehrig’s and Babe Ruth's best year in Major League Baseball. Or for that matter, baby-boomers, remember - the most famous 25 year-old who captivated the world that summer, Charles Lindberg. Or was it Al Capone, said to be one of the best business minds in recent history.  Without a doubt, my favorite author, Bill Bryson’s new book transcends time to take you back to a year that America lead the way in inventions, culture, movies, sport, and gangsters. One riveting chapter explores how Philo T. Farnsworth (just saying that name is fun) unveiled his all-electronic television prototype—the first of its kind—made possible by a video camera tube or "image dissector." If yo...