A Short History of Nearly Everything

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Bill Bryson

Brought to you by Penguin.

Featuring a special introduction written for the audiobook edition and read by the author

A Radio 4 Book Club Selection.

The ultimate eye-opening journey through time and space, A Short History of Nearly Everything is the biggest-selling popular science book of the 21st century and has sold over 2 million copies.

Bill Bryson describes himself as a reluctant traveller, but even when he stays safely at home he can't contain his curiosity about the world around him. A Short History of Nearly Everything is his quest to understand everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization - how we got from there, being nothing at all, to here, being us.

Bill Bryson's challenge is to take subjects that normally bore the pants off most of us, like geology, chemistry and particle physics, and see if there isn't some way to render them comprehensible to people who have never thought they could be interested in science. As a result, A Short History of Nearly Everything reveals the world in a way most of us have never seen it before.

'Possibly the best scientific primer ever published.' Economist

'Truly impressive...It's hard to imagine a better rough guide to science.' Guardian

'A travelogue of science, with a witty, engaging, and well-informed guide' The Times


©2003 Bill Bryson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

very good and informative

I was amazed by how little we know about the world around us.Excellent narration by the author.

Inspiring look at out history

If you could sum up A Short History of Nearly Everything in three words, what would they be?

Who and what was discovered first.

Any additional comments?

Overall well researched and facinating story of our discoveries around the world. I didnt like the last chapter on evolution, I am a christian so I shouldnt like it anyway but Bill re-affired my dislike for it with all the contradictions and theories or should I say scientific assumption of evolution, why call it evolution when "guesswork in order to deny God's existance" is a more appropriate title, someone needs only go outside and look at the beautiful world to realise God's handy work. The rest of the book was facinating and excellently researched, fully recommend the first 75% of the book!

Engaging read

absurd amount of knowledge. condensed without losing any of the interesing bits. communicating in an easy way to understand.

Great Fun!

I love this stuff – if you are Discovery Channel / National Geographic / Big Bang Theory / History of the World / Science Buff like I am, you’ll love this book too.

Bryson’s writing makes it even more enjoyable because it’s far from dry-science. His narration is clear, clever, comprehensible and even a little comical at times… you don’t feel like you are rereading your High School text books over again!!!

Great primer on the history of the world

Very interesting content. Primarily about how the universe, galaxies, earth was created and then moves onto some of the most important discoveries made about living things. The authors voice is a bit monotone and at times the content is packed with names of discoverers, academics, etc., which makes it a bit difficult to follow. All in all a good audiobook.

Loved it, loved it, loved it.

The way he weaves together such diverse and complex topics in such interesting and amusing ways - it is a master class.

An amazing summary of it all.

He's really good at explaining everything in basic terms so everyone can understand and think about the world as we thought we knew it.

Great book...

This should be required reading for all science lovers. The book gives a great overview of the major events in science. The narration was also superb.

History lessons you will enjoy

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

I would listen to it again. It has lots of cool facts that you forget and dont mind hearing again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Short History of Nearly Everything?

History of science to put it shortly. It told interesting facts about the innovation we take granted nowadays.

What three words best describe Bill Bryson’s performance?

Fun, Factual, Interesting

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

No I dit not.

Fantastic!

Bill Bryson does it again with a very interesting and captivating book that will surely grab your interest. There is so much covered in this book, and something for everyone. His reading of his own book is great as well. Very enjoyable!