Summary of The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is Bill Bryson's humorous memoir about his childhood growing up in the 1950s. Bryson recounts his life as a child in Des Moines, Iowa, complete with his odd family, the routines of everyday life, hilarious adolescent escapades, and sometimes startling events that happened in his own backyard. Bryson reminisces about his adolescent daydreams, from his time as the "Thunderbolt Kid" to his playful rivalry with a neighborhood gang, and humorous stories from school and home. Along the way, Bryson weaves in anecdotes and tall tales of his beloved hometown, including the glass factory, a 1950s reenactment of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, and much more. In the end, Bryson writes of a childhood full of adventure and joy, one he will never forget.