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Dan Schwent's Reviews > A Short History of Nearly Everything
A Short History of Nearly Everything
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A Short History of Nearly Everything is Bill Bryson's summation of life, the universe, and everything, a nice little easy-reading science book containing an overview of things every earthling should be aware of.
As I've repeatedly mentioned over the years, every time one of the casual-readers tells me I have to read something, like Harry Potter or the DaVinci Code, I dig my feet in deeper and resolve to never read it. This is one of the occasions I should have shaved a decade off of my stubbornness and caved in right away.
Bryson covers a wide range of topics, from the formation of the universe to the evolution of man for our apelike forebears, and all points in between. Atoms? Cells? These are just stops along the enlightenment highway that Bill Bryson has paved! He touches upon quantum physics, geology, the size of our solar system, the year without a summer, and other topics innumerable.
The writing style is so accessible that I have to think I'd be some kind of scientists if my high school and college text books were written by Bill Bryson. His easy, breezy style makes even the most complicated topics easier to digest.
It's not often that I come away from a book having felt like I learned something new, criminal techniques from my usual reads excepted. Bryson has succeeded where many have failed before him. He has used chicanery to get me to read nonfiction and enjoy myself while doing it. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
As I've repeatedly mentioned over the years, every time one of the casual-readers tells me I have to read something, like Harry Potter or the DaVinci Code, I dig my feet in deeper and resolve to never read it. This is one of the occasions I should have shaved a decade off of my stubbornness and caved in right away.
Bryson covers a wide range of topics, from the formation of the universe to the evolution of man for our apelike forebears, and all points in between. Atoms? Cells? These are just stops along the enlightenment highway that Bill Bryson has paved! He touches upon quantum physics, geology, the size of our solar system, the year without a summer, and other topics innumerable.
The writing style is so accessible that I have to think I'd be some kind of scientists if my high school and college text books were written by Bill Bryson. His easy, breezy style makes even the most complicated topics easier to digest.
It's not often that I come away from a book having felt like I learned something new, criminal techniques from my usual reads excepted. Bryson has succeeded where many have failed before him. He has used chicanery to get me to read nonfiction and enjoy myself while doing it. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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Leana
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rated it 5 stars
Jan 02, 2015 08:10PM
This is one of my favorite nonfiction books of all time!
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Great review. I've been avoiding it for largely the same reasons you did. Looks like I'm out of excuses.
I think 2015 will be the year of Bill Bryson for me.
He has used chicanery to get me to read nonfiction and enjoy myself while doing it.That bastard!
Nice review Dan, I'm also starting to question the value of reading fiction. This sounds like a great read. I always figured that's what the history channel is for. Long live ancient aliens.
It was a lot of fun, especially if you imagine Bryson sounding like Peter Jones.
Sounds too much like school :<Very informative review, though.
OK so now you've sold me as well - I've added it
Dirk wrote: "OK so now you've sold me as well - I've added it"You won't be disappointed!
Nice review. I'll have to pick this back up. I started it a few months ago and put it aside as I wasn't in the mood. I did read America: One Summer 1927 last year and loved it.
My husband & I also loved the audio version of this book, which we listened to on a long road trip-- never got boring at all, since he does make even the seemingly complex science very accessible to the average lay reader who wants to get a better understanding of the overall big picture & history of the universe without getting too overwhelmed by the heavy-duty physics & whatnot. Even his description of the personalities and quirks of the scientists themselves makes them come off as more human and not just ivory-tower, inaccessible geniuses; I'd highly recommend the audio version as well!
I've resisted this book for the same reason as you. but I'm now listening to an audiobook version and it's absolutely delightful. Informative too!
Jayaprakash wrote: "I've resisted this book for the same reason as you. but I'm now listening to an audiobook version and it's absolutely delightful. Informative too!"Glad you're enjoying it. I should do the audio versions of Bryson's other books in the car.
