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Bill Bryson

Sue Lawley's castaway is travel writer Bill Bryson.

Sue Lawley's guest this week is the American travel writer Bill Bryson. His inspiration was his father; a great traveller who never quite made it to his intended destination. His best-selling books, Notes from a Small Island and The Lost Continent, chronicle his experiences of facing up to fearsome British landladies and American motels which make the Bates hotel in Psycho look inviting.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: (Sittin' On) The Dock of The Bay by Otis Redding
Book: The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson
Luxury: Basket ball and hoop, and a little hard standing

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 5 Feb 1999 09:00

Music Played

  • George Gershwin

    Piano Concerto in F major

    Orchestra: San Francisco Symphony Conductor: Michael Thomas

    • The 100th Birthday Celebration.
    • RCA.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Otis Redding

      (Sittin' On) The Dock of The Bay

      • All By Myself.
      • Dover.
  • Paul McCartney

    That Would Be Something

    • McCartney.
    • Parlophone.
  • Tom Lehrer

    Poisoning Pigeons in the Park

    • Dr Demento 20th Anniversary Collection.
    • Rhino.
  • Loudon Wainwright III

    Your Mother and I

    • More Love Songs.
    • Demon.
  • Aaron Copland

    Appalachian Spring

    Orchestra: Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Leonard Slatkin

    • Appalachian Spring.
    • EMI.
  • Archie Roach

    Dancing (With My Spirit)

    • Looking for Butterboy.
    • Mushroom.
  • Max Bruch

    Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

    • Mendelssohn: Violin CTD.
    • Deutsche Grammphon.
  • Book Choice

    • The Lost Continent - Bill Bryson

  • Luxury Choice

    • Basket ball and hoop, and a little hard standing

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Bill Bryson

Broadcasts

  • Sun 31 Jan 1999 11:15
  • Fri 5 Feb 1999 09:00

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