The American British author on pet peeves, the perils of fantasy dinner parties, and revisiting The Short History of Everything two decades later<ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/newsletters/2019/oct/18/saved-for-later-sign-up-for-guardian-australias-culture-and-lifestyle-email?CMP=cvau_sfl">Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email</a></li></ul>You did a whole <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2001/sep/24/billbryson">book on Australia</a>, and have travelled here a bit since – what’s the number one tip or recommendation you’d give someone coming for the first time?Get out and walk! I mean, maybe not through the outback, but if you’re in any of the cities, walk. I do that wherever I go. And I love to just go off and explore without knowing where I’m going, without a map or any preconceived ideas. I think it’s the best way to discover a place, and it has the great virtue that if you turn a corner – say in Sydney – and there’s suddenly the Harbour Bridge, you feel as if you’ve discovered it. There’s a real feeling of exhilaration, I think, in that. But also, you discover little cafes and hidden corners and odds and ends.<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/newsletters/2019/oct/18/saved-for-later-sign-up-for-guardian-australias-culture-and-lifestyle-email?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning</a><a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/a-short-history-of-nearly-everything-20-9781529966817">A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0 by Bill Bryson</a> is out now through Penguin. The author is touring Australia and New Zealand in February 2026 with the live show <a href="https://lateralevents.com/theatre-events/the-best-of-bill-bryson-2026-official-tickets/">The Best of Bill Bryson</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/nov/15/bill-bryson-ever-since-i-was-a-little-boy-i-have-pretended-to-be-able-to-vaporise-people-i-dont-like">Continue reading...</a>

يتأمل بيل برايسون، المؤلف الأمريكي البريطاني، في خيالات طفولته حول تبخير الأشخاص الذين لا يحبهم، ويشارك رؤاه حول تجاربه في السفر. ويؤكد على أهمية المشي لاستكشاف المدن، وخاصة في أستراليا، حيث سافر على نطاق واسع. يعيد برايسون زيارة كتابه 'تاريخ قصير لكل شيء' بعد عقدين، مشددًا على اهتمامه المستمر بالاكتشاف والاستكشاف.

Bill Bryson, el autor angloamericano, reflexiona sobre sus fantasías infantiles de vaporizar a las personas que no le gustan y comparte sus experiencias de viaje. Destaca la importancia de caminar para explorar ciudades, especialmente en Australia, donde ha viajado extensamente. Bryson revisita su libro 'The Short History of Everything' dos décadas después, subrayando su fascinación continua por el descubrimiento y la exploración.

Bill Bryson, l'auteur américano-britannique, évoque ses fantasmes d'enfance de vaporiser les personnes qu'il n'aime pas et partage ses réflexions sur ses expériences de voyage. Il souligne l'importance de marcher pour explorer les villes, en particulier en Australie, où il a beaucoup voyagé. Bryson revisite son livre, 'The Short History of Everything', deux décennies plus tard, mettant en avant son intérêt continu pour la découverte et l'exploration.

Bill Bryson, the American-British author, reflects on his childhood fantasies of vaporizing people he dislikes and shares insights on his travel experiences. He emphasizes the importance of walking to explore cities, particularly in Australia, where he has traveled extensively. Bryson revisits his book, 'The Short History of Everything,' two decades later, highlighting his ongoing fascination with discovery and exploration.

Bill Bryson: ‘Ever since I was a little boy, I have pretended to be able to vaporise people I don’t like’

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