One of the world’s most beloved and bestselling writers takes his ultimate journey — into the most intriguing and intractable questions that science seeks to answer.In A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson trekked the Appalachian Trail — well, most of it. In In A Sunburned Country, he confronted some of the most lethal wildlife Australia has to offer. Now, in his biggest book, he confronts his … book, he confronts his greatest challenge: to understand — and, if possible, answer — the oldest, biggest questions we have posed about the universe and ourselves. Taking as territory everything from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, Bryson seeks to understand how we got from there being nothing at all to there being us. To that end, he has attached himself to a host of the world’s most advanced (and often obsessed) archaeologists, anthropologists, and mathematicians, travelling to their offices, laboratories, and field camps. He has read (or tried to read) their books, pestered them with questions, apprenticed himself to their powerful minds. A Short History of Nearly Everything is the record of this quest, and it is a sometimes profound, sometimes funny, and always supremely clear and entertaining adventure in the realms of human knowledge, as only Bill Bryson can render it. Science has never been more involving or entertaining.
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I wish Bryson’s book had been around back when I was still in school and thought history was The Most Boring Subject EVER.
This is the sort of book that makes history interesting, even entertaining, and gives you a thirst to learn even more. The sections on the origins of life and the lives of the scientists involved in so many discoveries were fascinating.
It’s not often that I read a 600-page non-fiction book and wish it was even LONGER! Whether you’re just a curious person, or want to know all the things you probably didn’t learn in school, A Short History of Nearly Everything is a great starter! If you’ve got a middle or high school-aged kid who is bored by how schools teach history, introduce them to this book, or the audiobook version if that’s easier.
This is truly “A Short History of Nearly Everything” and it is amazing how the author was able to achive that keeping the book size reasonable and the content engaging. This book is remarkable for how it brings up even difficult scientific topics and explains them with the ease. Highly recommended for curious people of all education levels.
I was surprised by the sheer scope of this book – from the absolute beginning of the universe, right up to the present. As someone with a broad interest in science, it was appealing to read something that darted unapologetically between chemistry, physics and biology, while remaining very readable. Bryson also focuses in on some of history’s unsung scientific heroes, those who were ignored because their ideas were too outlandish, or pipped to the post by the people who are now household names.
Much too abbreviated – thought I was getting the entire book.
Bryson does for physics what Star Trek did for nerds. Makes being smart so cool. Everyone should read this book.
A great book from an author who has never not left me entertained and informed. I did not read it straight through, but read a few chapters as a “pallett cleanser” between reading fiction. Enjoyed it!
Bryson is the best.
Interesting facts presented in a unique format
An excellent introduction to the world of Science!
Not your usual science read…this is definitely not a textbook. Easy to read and very understandable.
If this book had existed when I was in High School I might have become a scientist instead of a writer. In any case it’s a fountain of wisdom and funny in the bargain.
I really love this book! Don’t be a pancho and read it before you die
A great book. Filled with knowledge, which I love. I picked “Great world building” as a “like” reason for this book because, well, it’s the history of the world and how it was built. 🙂
A book that opens up insights into the world around us, that we haven’t noticed.
I learned from this book while being entertained. That is always a good combination.
I listened to the (Bolinda/Audible) audio version of this book and cannot recommend it enough. It was incredibly fun despite being science-dense and dealing with at times, very difficult subject matter. Bryson’s writing is superb, incredibly sharp, and very witty, not to mention highly educational. He is able to deliver in layman’s terms what most teachers would not be able to explain better or in a more engaging manner. Now match that with the narrator’s voice (that of the incredible William Roberts) and you have a laugh out loud recipe for a truly superb, sidesplitting performance. Go on, spoil yourself and learn something new that will have your friends and family wondering you’ve turned into a boffin. You won’t be disappointed.
I love everything by Bill Bryson, but this book is especially entertaining and informative. I learned so much about science, history, etc. Everyone should read this book!
Not your typical history book
There is so much information in this book, it took me 2 readings to absorb it.
The best book I’ve ever read. Just the first page gives you more to think about than most other entire books ever will!!