• A Short History of Nearly Everything

  • By: Bill Bryson
  • Narrated by: William Roberts
  • Length: 18 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,185 ratings)

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A Short History of Nearly Everything  By  cover art

A Short History of Nearly Everything

By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: William Roberts
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Editorial reviews

In his latest release, A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson compounds the story of human existence, or rather what is known of it so far, into one incredible audiobook expertly narrated by American voice performer William Roberts. Be entertained by even the most complex of discoveries, all broken down in a way that makes them understandable and enlightening. Covering innumerable topics of human achievements, you will be tremendously inspired by the significance these discoveries have had on life as we know it today. Available now from Audible.

Publisher's summary

A Short History of Nearly Everything is Bill Bryson's quest to understand everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization. He takes subjects that normally bore the pants off most of us, like geology, chemistry, and particle physics, and aims to render them comprehensible to people who have never thought they could be interested in science. In the company of some extraordinary scientists, Bill Bryson reveals the world in a way most of us have never seen it before.
©2003 Bill Bryson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

"To read Bryson is to travel with a memoirist gifted with wry observation and keen insight that shed new light on things we mistake for commonplace. To accompany the author as he travels with the likes of Charles Darwin on the Beagle, Albert Einstein or Isaac Newton is a trip worth taking." (Publishers Weekly)
"Stylish [and] stunningly accurate prose....Brims with strange and amazing facts...destined to become a modern classic of science writing." (The New York Times)

What listeners say about A Short History of Nearly Everything

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Great read

Really good and succint, very pleasant to listen, hope the author would update the information off the last 20 years of devvelopments in the various areas of study!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Thorough, and thoroughly enjoyable

I found the abridged version fascinating, and enjoyed the unabridged version even more, even though it is quite a marathon. The narrator does tend to be a bit dry, but not unbearably so.

I found it extremely fair and did great justice to the Creation vs Evolution debate, and covers and explains a vast array of human knowledge in a few hours.

My own conclusion is that the universe was created, AND it evolved, much in the same way as light is both a particle AND a wave. To insist on one or the other is simply bad science. Bill Bryson's book is well written and well read, and I'm glad I bought it.

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Amazing

All Amazingly written & Narrated. This unified book for all sciences is one of the best best...

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An absolute pleasure to listen to

If you have the slightest interest in expanding your grasp of the world around you then this audiobook cannot be recommended highly enough...a pleasure to listen to....hell. now i know what a SLUG really is....lol

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A Short History of Nearly Everything

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have learnt a lot of interesting things about our planet and been amazed by some of the facts. Bill Bryson writes in an easy relaxed manner that means you don't tire of the subject.

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Stunning, enjoyable summary of "everything"

Well done, Bill. This is a magical tour of just about ... "everything" known to humans until shortly before its publication about 10 years ago. The team of researchers who prepared the "raw material" is to be commended. Also to be commended, of course, is the witty and engaging writing of the author, BB. This is my second listening. Thank you researchers, and than you Bill.

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Unputdownable

Loved it. The title cannot be more apt. Insightful narrative. Interestingly narrated. The breadth of topics covered is amazing!

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The starter book of knowledge

Well researched, well written and well narrated. A truly great audio book! This book is a fantastic base to explore almost any area of human knowledge.

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Absolutely brilliant!

Amazingly interesting content, and by far the absolute best narration I have ever listened too.

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Hilarious and informative

This is my new favourite genre of book: Hilarious and informative! Loved this book. Recommend to all.

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