“An awful lot of England is slowly eroding, in ways that I find really distressing, and an awful lot of it is the hedgerows... We're reaching the point where a lot of the English countryside looks just like Iowa - just kind of open space.”

British essayist and travel writer, 1951–present. Bryson blends humor and curiosity in his explorations of science, history, and geography, making complex subjects accessible. His works like *A Walk in the Woods* and *The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid* showcase his knack for vivid storytelling and sharp observation.