A Short History of Nearly Everything is Bill Bryson’s quest to find out 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. His challenge is to take subjects that normally bore the pants off most of us and see if there isn't some way to render them comprehensible to people who have never thought they could be interested in science.
It's not so much about what we know, as about how we know what we know. How do we know what is in the centre of the Earth, or what a black hole is, or where the continents were 600 million years ago? How did anyone ever figure these things out?
On his travels through time and space, Bill Bryson takes us with him on the ultimate eye-opening journey and reveals the world in a way most of us have never seen it before.
©2003 Bill Bryson (P)2003 Random House Audiobooks
"If you only own one audio book, this is it!"
This book was a little hard going as text but completely comes to life when read by Bill Bryson. I love it and have listened to it several times.
Retired dentist after 37 yrs & with strong artistic interests left intensive reading until my latter years and am having a ball!
"A clear and thoroughly wonderful experience!"
Difficult to pick any particularly memorable moment, the entire book was enthralling and I shall listen to it several times, I am sure about that!
No.
I felt uplifted overall and ended with hope that mankind would take the time to understand just how precious all life as we know it is right now before it is too late.
"Great book - Gets you thinking"
Yes - There is so much to think about that you can miss the next piece of information.
"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!
"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.
"You need to know this!"
I read this book a few years ago and loved it. I have since bought several copies and given them away.
However listening to this book made it so much more "real". My husband, who loves science but does not read much, thoroughly enjoyed listening to the book as we drove from Canada into the States. He asked for it every time we got in the car.
A most enjoyable and interesting listen. Something for everyone.