A Short History of Nearly Everything

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Richard Matthews

Length: 18 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the world’s most beloved and best-selling 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 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.

©2003 Bill Bryson (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc. Published by Arrangement with Random House Audio Publishing Group, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Not to be missed." (AudioFile)
"Destined to become a modern classic of science writing." (The New York Times Book Review)

Grrat for basic understanding of the natural world

I really enjoyed this book. It was dense at times and I had to back once or twice. But, in the end I really felt like learned something valuable.

An unparalleled work

This is an outstanding work.. Don't miss it. After 6x it's still insightful.

fantastic

one of the best books I've read in years. very interesting and really funny at times.

By far a great listen

This is a perfect match between a great author and a great narrator. The humor, sometimes sly wit, other times pregnant pauses as the narrator allows a few moments for the usually scary and profoundly eye opening point he just read to you to sink in. And there are plenty of those kinds of scary profound points. You will find it hard no to to be entertained throughout this book as the author walks along side of you nodding knowingly that "this stuff gets deep", describes otherwise complex concepts for the average listener to grasp, and mercifully admits when a concept gets too complex just after the point that it truly gets too complex. This is one for those who like scientific knowledge. One listen and you will have very educated things to say at a dinner party on just about everything earth, space, or the life process. Listen again and take notes (as he provides all sources and names and dates as he tells each story), and you will be the go-to person when people have questions about those topics.

Interesting/Boring

I went back and forth finding some chapters interesting and some boring. Overall it's well written and enjoyable. Don't expect it to keep you awake on a long trip.

Great book/great reader

What other book might you compare A Short History of Nearly Everything to and why?

I love Bill Bryson's writing style: he is truly brilliant.

What about Richard Matthews’s performance did you like?

Excellent performance by Richard Matthews

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

One learns a lot by reading everything Bryson writes. But most of all, one learns a lot about gentle, clever and effective witticism. Brilliant.

One of Bill Bryson's best and well worth your time

Would you listen to A Short History of Nearly Everything again? Why?

Yes, because it is quite pithy. I appreciate Bill Bryson's taking the time to put some aspects of our lives into this interesting context as life passes by, often in a fast stream. Also, the memory is not that great, and I observe I can listen to a book again and get many ideas that I had missed upon the first exposure. These are good ideas! Worthy of integrating. A bit of modern day philosophy.

What other book might you compare A Short History of Nearly Everything to and why?

I kind of liked the overview of P.J. O'Rourke, "All the Troubles in the World", that- is another look from outside the general consensus and popular norm but there is also no question that P.J. O'Rourke is a modern day humorist standing clearly in the great shadow of Mark Twain/S.Clements. Bill Bryson has his own bit of irony, added with a sardonic puzzlement that often leaves one with an internal joy of the additional perspective.

Which scene was your favorite?

The book hits the ground running, describing how humans are composed of indifferent atoms that if disassembled none of the atoms would have a consciousness of being alive. It is interesting to address these simple complexities and then it goes on from there.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It doesn't make one laugh or cry as much as it informs and makes one think. I believe readers of this book are simply better thinkers from having these perspectives available as part of their wonder and reflections on human history.

Any additional comments?

I have recommended this book to many friends and have received thanks in appreciation. If nothing else it is fun, and I applaud Bill Bryson for his effort in it's creation.

Excellent

I rarely reread books. Ever. I reread this one twice. And will probably reread it again. It's both educational and entertaining.

A Magnificent Read (Listen)

A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson, narrated by Richard Matthews. This is a layman ( Bill Bryson), telling you about how mankind (predominantly of the European heritage) discovered and accumulated scientific knowledge. It is constructed as little stories about each scientist and his/her discovery, its genius, importance to human life on the planet and its place in the pantheon of knowledge.

This is not a book for scientists only, but a telling for all. Do you want to know about the scientific juggernaut that came about in the last few hundreds of years that make humankind capable of controlling its own environment; then this is the story for you.

Do not get me wrong. This is not primarily a listing or compendium of science. This is a gosh darn wonderfully enjoyable read. A thrill of a read. How Bryson does it – is unusual but equals reading magnificence.

Great Listen

I really enjoyed the story and the narration. I think some of the science is getting a bit out of date, but still a good listen.