The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir

Unabridged
Author: Bill Bryson
Narrator: Bill Bryson
Genres: Biographies, Comedy, Literary, Essays & Memoirs
Publisher: Random House (Audio)
Date: October 2007
Length: 6 hours
Ratings:
Formats:
  • CD

Overview

BONUS FEATURE: Exclusive interview with the author.
From one of the most beloved and bestselling authors in the English language, a vivid, nostalgic and utterly hilarious memoir of growing up in the middle of the United States in the middle of the last century. A book that delivers on the promise that it is "laugh-out-loud funny."
Some say that the first hints that Bill Bryson was not of Planet Earth came from his discovery, at the age of six, of a woollen jersey of rare fineness. Across the moth-holed chest was a golden thunderbolt. It may have looked like an old college football sweater, but young Bryson knew better. It was obviously the Sacred Jersey of Zap, and proved that he had been placed with this innocuous family in the middle of America to fly, become invisible, shoot guns out of people's hands from a distance, and wear his underpants over his jeans in the manner of Superman.
Bill Bryson's first travel book opened with the immortal line, "I come from Des Moines. Somebody had to." In this hilarious new memoir, he travels back to explore the kid he once was and the weird and wonderful world of 1950s America. He modestly claims that this is a book about not very much: about being small and getting much larger slowly. But for the rest of us, it is a laugh-out-loud book that will speak volumes - especially to anyone who has ever been young.

Reviews (11)

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

Written by Anonymous on July 7th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I was surprised at how many memories this book brought to me. I am a child of the fifties too. Lots of information about the socio- economic of this time that as I child I had no clue about. A fun read

Thunderbolt kid

Written by Anonymous from Palmdale, CA on May 13th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Another great book by Bill Bryson - but this one is a bit more history and introspective. A great reminder of that decade and a wonderful slice of life in the 50s and 60s. While the style of book is more of a 'musing' than a true story, it is as humorous as any of the other Bryson books, and even poignent in spots. Hearing the exploits of Bill's young neighbors, and his view of things as a child reminded me of how I felt growing up -- and some of the humor results from an appreciation of how we all feel growing up. I continue to find Bill's narration a plus (although I know some listeners find his voice irritation) -- he is a consummate storyteller.

A Delightful Surprise

Written by Loreen Ferguson from Calabogie, ON on January 8th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I was agreeably surprised by this book. The title had put me off listening to it, but this is classic Bill Bryson - that amazing blend of humour, wisdom, insight and whimsy. In places the book is laugh out loud funny, garnering me some peculiar looks as I tried to stifle many snorts of laughter while on a long international flight. I only wish I had listened to this book sooner; once again proving the truth of the old adage "don't judge a book by it's title"! Having the book read by Bill Bryson is a huge plus and adds immesurably to the enjoyment.

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir

Written by Kathleen Telles on December 6th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I listen to these in my car on my commute to and from work and I really should have pulled over a few times to compose myself. A "Boomer" myself, this book brought back all kinds of memories. Bill's timing and wording are hysterical(in a good way). Good for you laughter, just dont' try to read it and drink liquids at the same time, you could hurt yourself.

Loved it!

Written by Writeguy99 on October 26th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Another excellent book for Bill Bryson. Loved the book, and really enjoyed the way he told his story. I'm a big fan of his style of humor, especially as he reminisced about how life was “way back when” in Middle America.

The Life and Times of the Tunderbolt Kid

Written by Lore Hiney on September 12th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 3/5

Not my cup to tea I'm afraid. There was so much rich potential in his title, but it fell flat. I would have love more of the Kid in the book.

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir

Written by Anonymous from Kansas City, MO on September 11th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

A very enjoyable listen. Lighthearted and yet with some serious notes.

He does it again

Written by Blake Chapin from Plainfield, IL on September 7th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed this one. I suppose when you like an author, you like anything they do. Well Bryson had me hooked awhile ago. I especially like the result of him doing the narration. He brings such levity to each situation no matter how ordinary, or perhaps because they are mundane. Highly recommended.

The LIfe and Times of the Thuderbolt Kid

Written by Anonymous on August 17th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Very humorous and delightful book. The author brought you into the era and reminded you of the good and the bad and the forgetful. Anyone who lived during that time will remember much of what Bryson talks about and will smile at the recollections.

Growing up innocent

Written by Cyndie Browning from Tulsa, OK on July 28th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Bill Bryson was born a year after me and in the midwest (I was born in Ohio), and his memoir brought back a lot of my own memories of growing up innocent in the 50's. I admit that I didn't have to live with parents like Bryson's, but I'm pretty sure my sisters and I were taken to the same dentist!!!!! Bryson as a kid was a lot more imaginative than I was---or maybe it just sounds that way because as an adult, he remembers his own childhood with more tolerance and forgiveness than it really was. And finally, "laugh out loud" doesn't begin to explain the wry humor in this book; I remember sitting in the drive-up lane at Taco Bell one evening, listening to the book while I waited, and laughing until I nearly cried! I highly recommend this book and Bryson's reading of it.

Author Details

Author Details

Bryson, Bill

"Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. A backpacking expedition in 1973 brought him to England where he met his wife and decided to settle. He wrote for the English newspapers The Times and The Independent for many years, writing travel articles to supplement his income. He lived with his family in North Yorkshire before moving back to the States in 1995, to Hanover, New Hampshire, with his wife and four children. In 2003 he and his family moved back to England, where they currently reside.

The Lost Continent, Bill Bryson's hilarious first travel book, chronicles a trip in his mother's Chevy around small town America. Since then, he has written several more about the UK and the US, including notable bestsellers, A Walk in the Woods, I'm A Stranger Here Myself (published in Britain as Notes from a Big Country), and In a Sunburned Country (published in Britain as Down Under).

His other books include Bill Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words, Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe, Made in America, The Mother Tongue and Bill Bryson's African Diary. His latest book, A Short History of Nearly Everything, was published in Spring 2003."