He also seems incredibly rude when he has to talk to ticket officers, shop assistants, hotel receptionists and waiters. I’d hate to bump into him on his travels. Especially if I had the misfortune to sit opposite him on a train.

I am so glad you commented…I wa beginning to think that I was the only person struggling with his style. I agree with your comment about train stations, I think it’s an obsession for him.

Thanks for the suggestions I will definitely give more of his books a try and will look out for the titles you have mentioned. 🙂

That’s a shame. As you said it is an old book now and perhaps somewhat dated. Try his more recent work – ‘At Home’ and his short biography of Shakespeare, also ‘A short History of Nearly Everything’ still reads well.

I very quickly realised that I couldn’t take him too seriously. I think I had heard so much about his books I was expecting a little more and that led to the disappointment.