By Bill Bryson.
Bryson sometimes uses a schtick, a formula, for his books. Basically, he starts with a theme, however loose, and then retells a lot of historic anecdotes on that them.
In this case the theme is his house in England, and the history of private life.
… there is a history to tell here. Before we lived in houses we lived communally. How did we get from there, to private homes for everyone?
Sometimes his formula works really well. This time, I'm not sure I really learnt more about the history of private life. This book is a bit over stuffed.
I really have to admire it though. A large amount of research went into this book.