Whereas most such projects can be written off as a cynical money-spinner, the decision to merge these popular books into one hefty volume can be justified by Bryson's fascination with the differences between the two countries. In the opening chapter of Notes from a Small Island, Bryson writes: "If you mention in the pub that you intend to drive from, say, Surrey to Cornwall, a distance that most Americans would happily go to get a taco, your companions will puff their cheeks, look knowingly at each other, and blow out air as if to say, "Well, now that's a bit of a tall order..." Bryson's essays are packed with subtly ridiculous insights and smart anecdotes, making The Complete Notes an essential read for anyone with an interest in Anglo-American relations. --Daren King