American Notes


Read by Tim Bulkeley (1948-2019)

(4.1 stars; 38 reviews)

In American Notes, Rudyard Kipling, the Nobel Prize-winning author of the Jungle Book, visits the USA. As the travel-diary of an Anglo-Indian Imperialist visiting the USA, these American Notes offer an interesting view of America in the 1880s.

Kipling affects a wide-eyed innocence, and expresses astonishment at features of American life that differ from his own, not least the freedom (and attraction) of American women. However, he scorns the political machines that made a mockery of American democracy, and while exhibiting the racist attitudes that made him controversial in the 20th century concludes “It is not good to be a negro in the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

G. A. England of Harvard University (letter to The New York Times 10/11/1902) wrote: “To the American temperament, the gentleman who throws stones while himself living in a glass house cannot fail to be amusing; the more so if, as in Mr Kipling’s case, he appears to be in a state of maiden innocence regarding the structure of his own domicile.”

(Summary by Tim Bulkeley with Quotations from the Gutenberg edition of American Notes and the online version of The New York Times of October 11th 1902.) (2 hr 47 min)

Chapters

Introduction 5:15 Read by Tim Bulkeley (1948-2019)
At the Golden Gate 31:43 Read by Tim Bulkeley (1948-2019)
American Politics 27:55 Read by Tim Bulkeley (1948-2019)
American Salmon 22:02 Read by Tim Bulkeley (1948-2019)
The Yellowstone 22:34 Read by Tim Bulkeley (1948-2019)
Chicago 23:14 Read by Tim Bulkeley (1948-2019)
The American Army 11:45 Read by Tim Bulkeley (1948-2019)
America's Defenceless Coasts 23:06 Read by Tim Bulkeley (1948-2019)

Reviews

Excellant


(5 stars)

This is an excellent reading of a very interesting book. As an American, I find Kipling's views on America very amusing. It is enlightening to hear the perspective of one not raised in the midst of this country. The reader has a sort of dead pan which works very well with this piece; well worth the listen!

Rants


(0.5 stars)

I was surprised by Kips high brow elitist attitudes. I'm not sure what he expected to see in his travel. But it sounded like a critic denouncing everything American. And American people in general.

Bulkely is the ideal narrator.


(4 stars)

I also appreciate seeing historical views as they were, unsanitized.

Americans Sort of Made Fun Of


(5 stars)

The little bit of Kipling that I had read up until now I did not like. But I found myself liking this book. At least once it is irreverent: in a comment about Adam in Genesis. Of course I absolutely reprehend that. But mainly the book is abrasive in a humorous way, which tone is hard not to like. Kipling begins by teasing San Francisco for its ‘cobblestones in the fashion of year 1,’ ends by criticizing ‘pimply young reprobates’ in Buffalo, and the book is full of wit in between. By knocking America, he gives an apologia for England. That England is more civilized and proper than America is—this, I suppose, is the thesis. He does have good things to say, however, about the country on the end of his ribbing. These things mainly involve the fortitude and loveliness of American women. As for the reader: his voice is deep; his intoning is blameless; and his overall performance is beyond reproach.


(5 stars)

On couldn't have found a better reader for the staccato phrasing of the author, a perfect match. Kipling sums up what he sees with such acidic distaste and brevity that this work alone could serve as a reliable guide in a "how to" guide of critisism.


(5 stars)

Kipling pickles everyone: don't get your feelings hurt. There's a lot of sly satire in this book, but if you pay attention, you'll notice that he doesn't leave the British Empire out of the fun. Excellent narration, too.

Wow


(4 stars)

the reader did a great job, especially with his British accent. What a strange book. Very insightful humorous witty Cutty sassy Etc.


(5 stars)

Very enjoyable book & Special thanks to the reader excellent job