Title: One Summer: America 1927

Author: Bill Bryson

Synopsis: This isn’t a fictional book, like many of Bryson’s other works, yet he manages to tell the history of one year in America in such a gripping and fascinating way.

From the Snyder and Gray case at the beginning of the year to the Vanzetti and Sacco electrocution towards the end, Bryson tells the year’s tale in such a way that we feel as though we are almost living through it.

Rating: 7/10

This was the first book by Bryson I have read and I have to say it was a good first one. He intertwines many of the ups and downs of the year with the continual fame of Charles Lindberg. Going from not knowing anything about Lindberg and his enormous journey to feeling as though I could write a book on him myself, Bryson succeeds in keeping you interested in something you may have previously viewed as boring or something you’re not too bothered about.

Similarly, the famous baseball player Babe Ruth is someone no one my age in Britain knows about, yet when reading about him I was intrigued to know more, an interest Bryson yet again fulfilled.

If you’re on the hunt for a book which will open your eyes, this is the one.

The only reason I have not given it a super high rating is simply because it is quite heavy going. It’s long and at times can seem like it’s never going to end – a bit like a textbook. Of course I found it interesting but I have, like everyone, read better books.

1927 is not exactly one of those years – no major wars ended etc etc so is often disregarded however, Bryson successfully brings it back to life in such a captivating manner.