Every twenty minutes on the Appalachian Trail, Katz and I walked farther than the average American walks in a week. For 93 percent of all trips outside the home, for whatever distance or whatever purpose, Americans now get in a car. On average, the total walking of an American these days - that's walking of all types: from car to office, from office to car, around the supermarket and shopping malls - adds up to 1.4 miles a week...That's ridiculous.

Eventually living in North Yorkshire and mainly working as a journalist Bryson became chief copy editor of the business section of The Times and then deputy national news editor of the business section of The Independent. ) (1999)
Down Under (UK) / In a Sunburned Country (U. "
In November 2006 Bryson interviewed the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair on the state of science and education.

He received widespread recognition again with the publication of A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003) which popularised scientific questions for a general audience. Bryson shot to prominence in the United Kingdom with the publication of Notes From A Small Island (1995) an exploration of Britain for which he made an accompanying television series. Born an American he was a resident of Britain for most of his adult life before returning to the US in 1995.