at home - bill bryson (2010)

here, in unexpectedly fascinating detail, is the development of anglo-saxon culture from the perspective of their private life. here is what influences the design function and nomenclature of their abodes. this is how they bring up their children. these are their diseases. and eventually, here is what happens to those homes.

there is a disagreeably graphic account of sanitation sewage and toileting in elizabethan and georgian england which follows an unappetising rendering of their bedroom habits. after reading it all, what i say is, barbara cartland had NO idea what her heroines had to endure.




all in all, a smashing good read. i am tempted to give up historical romances for history.