A Short History of Nearly Everything

· Bryson Book 5 · Random House
4.6
341 reviews
Ebook
672
Pages

About this ebook

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.

'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

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.

Ratings and reviews

4.6
341 reviews
A Google user
May 14, 2012
If every school added this book to its Syllabus and every 14 year old pupil spent 30 minutes a week reading it and another 30 minutes discussing what they read in a group for just 1 term we would have children who would have a great knowledge base and would enjoy reading. Bill Bergson makes things fun, random and it all links together. Please can just one Principal, Head or Teacher try it and share the results with the world
Abi Allsopp
September 16, 2013
I read the paper back version some years ago and could not put it down. I am now buying the ebook as i have forgot almost everything the book taught me as it is so huge but regardless of my digression this book is the best thing i have ever read and i advise anyone with even a remote interest into how the universe works should pick this up immediately!
10 people found this review helpful
A Google user
April 12, 2017
Best layman's science book ever. Coming from someone without a scientific background it almost defies belief. Great on the history of scientific endeavor and the strengths and foibles of all it's characters along with great descriptions of the challenges faced in historic times.
14 people found this review helpful

About the author

Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. His bestselling books include The Road to Little Dribbling, Notes from a Small Island, A Walk in the Woods, One Summer and The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. In a national poll, Notes from a Small Island was voted the book that best represents Britain. His acclaimed work of popular science, A Short History of Nearly Everything, won the Aventis Prize and the Descartes Prize, and was the biggest selling non-fiction book of its decade in the UK. His new book The Body: A Guide for Occupants is an extraordinary exploration of the human body which will have you marvelling at the form you occupy.
Bill Bryson was Chancellor of Durham University 2005–2011. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society. He lives in England.

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