Customer Reviews

Stephen Fry in America: Fifty States and the Man Who Set Out to See Them All

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I loved this book. There are so many books out there with similar themes, but nothing quite like this. The photography is beautiful, but not so "obvious". Most travel books highlight very well-known tourist destinations. But here, Stephen mixes revered landmarks with small businesses and local people. It really gives you a good look at life in these places.

However, I don't really recommend this book as a travel guide of any sort. Stephen was obviously in such a rush to visit every state, that he doesn't really spend a lot of time anywhere. So for travel interests, it doesn't provide enough insight to be of much value. Instead, this is a book for fans of Stephen Fry. This book is full of Stephen's famous wit, charisma, and humor. And because the narrative is split into 50 sections for the states, it makes a great casual read. There's a lot of photography here, so you could finish it in short time, but I preferred taking my time, reading 2-3 states per day over a few weeks. Like I said, Stephen doesn't have a lot of time to focus on any one state, so it doesn't feel so rushed if you take your time with it. I loved every page.

In 2008, the quintessential Englishman, Stephen Fry, traveled across the entire United States to experience what each individual state had to offer.
What I liked about this book is that Fry stayed away from popular sites e.g. Times Square, and instead chose to visit more colorful & interesting locales. To a non-American, it would probably seem like the states have their own flavor, but we do have a common ingredient that can be found across the entire nation & Fry usually was confronted with it when he read our state mottos, slogans, & even watched commercials all of which declare the unique attitude & culture of where he was at the moment. To the next state, it seemed to be repeat itself & Fry took it all in stride, seeming to enjoy it rather than ridicule it for all its worth. (I know I would have done it, given the chance.)

I'm only giving the book three stars as I thought each state's section was too short & yes, Fry predicted that Americans would be dissatisfied with their own state's portrayal which I will confirm that for me (as an Okie) that I was a bit disappointed with what he included. But maybe I'm just being cynical, after all he did show Okies as being charitable & enjoying the pastime of rodeo, which isn't a bad depiction in the least. Fry could have easily made a book about how there is more bad than good in the US & it would have been easy to do. It was nice to read a book filled with the more positive elements of our society: hardwork, community, indigenous cultures, & the ability to drive a car on the beach (well, two of them).

Bonuses: All of that trivia & history! Also, the beautiful photography & Fry's British wit & humoUr.

This is an unusual and highly enjoyable travel book. Fry crosses America state by state and visits places that average Americans probably never heard of- very interesting places full of interesting people. Fry doesn't just visit each state, he gets to know some of the people and tries his hand at some of their jobs- coal mining, lobstering, farming, etc., And he avoids the usual locations- his trip to New York State doesn't include Times Square, but up-state deer hunting. He doesn't just visit and encouter people and places, he tells you what he thinks of them. And if you don't already know Stephen Fry, you will find his insights refreshing and always interesting. If you do know Fry, then this book is just what you hoped it would be; I have never read a travel book filled with so many smiles and laughs and ideas. Regarding the 3-star review on this page, the British spelling of many words is close to, but different from, ours. Words like tire and color aren't misspelled, they are just spelled the British way.

It takes a true British man to remind us how fun our crazy country can be. Reminds me somewhat of the book 'Blue Highways,' since Fry takes the reader off the beaten path that traditional American media grab for a sound bite. The photos are vivid, the characters he meets are all familiar; even if you don't know the name, you know someone exactly like that. The series on the book is televised on PBS. In the meantime, make sure to follow Stephen on Twitter as 'stephenfry.'

I had high hopes for this book as I love Stephen Fry's wry sense of word play and insightful nature. But this book is such a shallow take on the idea of a travel book. Basically he writes two to five pages on one city, outing, or activity associated with each U.S. state preceded by a two paragraph intro on the entire state. I could see this book being something you give a 10 year old foreign student as an introductory look at the U.S., but that's about it. My highest praise is that Fry seems to genuinely like America -- he's never dismissive.

Humorist Stephen Fry has published an interesting book and TV series as a homage to the United States titled, Stephen Fry in America: Fifty States and the Man Who Set Out to See Them All. I ended up watching the television version of this and enjoyed it. The book version looked interesting, but I lost interest in reading it, and just turned the pages, looking at some of the pictures and remembering the TV version. Either medium presents a lively and engaging view of the creative Fry, who but for a twist of fate, might have grown up in the USA.

I read this book after watching the BBC series of the same title. I thoroughly enjoyed the series and feel the same way about the book. Although produced primarily for British viewers, the series is a great way for Americans to see their country through the eyes and humorous comments of Stephen Fry.

Fry rhapsodizes about some states and is ascerbic about others, with New Jersey getting the most barbs. Here is an example that made me laugh uproariously, regarding his time in Oregon with a Sasquatch spotter: "There is, however, a kind of rare (but not rare enough) infantilised Western male which collects books on elite Special Services, is attracted to shiny trucks with huge tyres, thinks guns are great, asks only that a female be big-breasted and believes in nonsenses like Bigfoot."

You may be put off by some things he says about your state (reviewers from New Jersey and Oklahoma were) but it's hard not to find this book almost as entertaining as the BBC series.

Stephen Frey has a charm in his writing that brings his wit in conversational format to the reader. I have laughed so in reading this book that others wondered what could possibly be so funny about travel in the United States. My only regret is that I did not meet Mr. Frey when he travelled to Florida as I would have welcomed the chance to show him around our state's capital city!

Stephen Fry holds up mirror in which we can both laugh at ourselves and take some pride in how we reflect to others. This is a charming & sympathetic outsider's notebook of experiences and adventures seeing all 50 states. A laugh-out-loud and ultimately enlightening portrait to read cover-to-cover, and the perfect guest-room book.

Fry is one of my favorite writers. His command of English language, self-depreciating humor and keen sense of American culture are what make this book a delight to read. This book is supposed to be a companion to the DVD documentary of the same title. Since the DVD doesn't have subtitles reading this book first will definitely help understand his journey and commentary.