• 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 (1,184 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

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I have read it three times it is so well written. I enjoy the knowlegde it provides and the witty and clear style it tells about difficult pieces of science. Strongly recommended.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Curious? You should be.

Absolutely loved discovering the history behind the random facts I have picked up over the years, not to mention new information which really was an eye opener.
The stories were beautifully woven together and even in audio easy to follow, with a light humour that Bill brings into his work.
As always I find American narration a little fast paced but changing my delivery speed to 75% sorts it out enough for the Aussie 'palate'.
Very interesting and enjoyable book :)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best

This has to be the best audio book so far. Entertainingly read which is no mean feat given the length of the title. Although I glazed over on some of the details on details, every chapter unveiled the essence of "I never knew that !"

Based on this title, will try others by the author and narrator.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Genius

Romp through the creation of: the universe, world, life and humans; written with humor and read with passion

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A 5 star book made into a 6 star audio

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Outstanding research, enormous breadth without compromising on requisite detail, rounded off with sublime narration. This is a top 10 audible book to be kept and re-listened to over years.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Learned so much!

So much information. would've liked to have the hard copy so I could reread pages, it's a lot to take in only in audio format

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A great, informative read

It could have been edited to be shorter in places. Nonetheless I enjoyed it and recommend it heartily.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Overwhelming yes brilliant

Absolutely loved this book, Gave me such a different yet interesting perspective on life, who we are and where we come from. Yes there are tons of details which are as much amazing as overwhelming but the writing is entertaining and the narrator theatrical, my best to date. If you want a book that is fascinating, entertaining and factual all at the same time, this is it, highly recommend!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A little overboard on statistics

Awesome book. Insightful and thought provoking. Too many bits of data quoted in the second half to remember or reuse.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of my favourite books

If you like geeky science and who discovered things or generally have an inquisitive mind this book is for you.

well written, packed with info of questions you may have wondered but never known the answer to and a great narrator.

highly recommended.

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