“Coming back to your native land after an absence of many years is a surprisingly unsettling business, a little like waking from a long coma. Time, you discover, has wrought changes that leave you feeling mildly foolish and out of touch.”

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.