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A Short History Of Nearly Everything Hardcover – 2 June 2003

by Bill Bryson (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 16,380
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Bill Bryson describes himself as a reluctant traveller: but even when he stays safely in his own study 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. 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, he encounters a splendid collection of astonishingly eccentric, competitive, obsessive and foolish scientists, like the painfully shy Henry Cavendish who worked out many conundrums like how much the Earth weighed, but never bothered to tell anybody about many of his findings. In the company of such extraordinary people, Bill Bryson takes us with him on the ultimate eye-opening journey, and reveals the world in a way most of us have nevr seen it before.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    528 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Doubleday
  4. Publication date
    2 June 2003
  5. Dimensions
    20 x 14 x 4 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0385408188
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0385408189
  8. See all details
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  1. In three minutes, 98 percent of all the matter there is or will ever be has been produced.
    Highlighted by 2,067 Kindle readers
  2. The core of a neutron star is so dense that a single spoonful of matter from it would weigh 200 billion pounds.
    Highlighted by 1,908 Kindle readers
  3. Most star systems in the cosmos are binary (double-starred), which makes our solitary sun a slight oddity.
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Product description

Review

The legions of fans who buy Bill Bryson's travel books and voted him a favourite author for World Book Day won't quite know what to make of the amiable traveller's latest offering. Transworld has dubbed it "for all those who couldn't understand A Brief History of Time" (and on that basis, if they all buy a copy it will be an instant bestseller). Bryson applies his naturally enquiring mind and his way with words which is both informative and entertaining, to "understand and appreciate, marvel at, enjoy even, the wonder and accomplishments of science at a level that isn't too technical or demanding, but isn't entirely superficial either". This is popular science in the true meaning of the phrase and repays diligent reading.

Book Description

The incomparable Bill Bryson travels through time and space to introduce us to the world, the universe and everything.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Doubleday (2 June 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 528 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0385408188
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0385408189
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 20 x 14 x 4 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 16,380

About the author

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Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson

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Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. Settled in England for many years, he moved to America with his wife and four children for a few years ,but has since returned to live in the UK. His bestselling travel books include The Lost Continent, Notes From a Small Island, A Walk in the Woods and Down Under. 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 the decade in the UK.

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Top reviews from Australia

Helen Webb
5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable.
Reviewed in Australia on 21 January 2023
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Covers a lot of info in away non-experts can follow, and his usual dab of humour.
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richard whitfield
4.0 out of 5 stars very interesting read
Reviewed in Australia on 30 August 2022
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A very interesting read about the natural history of Earth, the universe and everything focusing on who found out what, and when. I would have liked a bit more on the logical analysis carried out to estimate the many different aspects of the history of our planet - I suspect that nothing is as clear cut as it is presented by science, and I would liked to have learned more about the "fudge factors" within everything - a bit more skepticism.
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Raymond G Funnell
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it and read it. A great book.
Reviewed in Australia on 22 December 2022
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Astonishing research that illuminates the past and enlightens the present. Another Bryson classic.
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Jorg Illi
5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening
Reviewed in Australia on 5 June 2018
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Bill Bryson's book not only shows us what we know but more importantly what we don't know. And what we don't know is so much more! The book should be compulsory reading for all those who think that scientific progress is the Alpha and Omega of learning. It shows the shortcomings of the sciences as well as the shortcomings of those who actually do science. I believe that Bryson also gives us a warning. What warning? It is simply this: 'When you advance science, or any part of human knowledge, tread carefully! Nevertheless, I read the book almost in record time. Could hardly put it down.
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Scott Hankinson
5.0 out of 5 stars Making geology interesting
Reviewed in Australia on 5 August 2021
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A wonderfully succinct, but in-depth look at the formation of the universe, how everything got to be here. I was particularly fascinated by how little we knew, not so long ago. We truly live in a lucky age where we take our human collective knowledge for granted. I did.
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Jack Charles
4.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
Reviewed in Australia on 15 February 2021
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Read this book and you will come away with a new perspective on who we are and where we are.
It makes a great companion to Carl Sagan's "Pale Blue Dot."
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SuzieQ
5.0 out of 5 stars DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK!
Reviewed in Australia on 14 June 2016
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Another Bryson triumph - could hardly bear to put it down. Whether he is being his witty best (and NEVER try to read his books in a crowded place - you are likely to be taken away, giggling out loud in a strait jacket) or when he is educating us on the wilder aspects of the universe, he is unfailingly interesting. He brings fascination to the most mundane of subjects, and his impeccable language and grammar are never less than endlessly fascinating and reliably entertaining. Do not miss this book - you will never forgive yourself when you find out what you have passed on!
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Josh Marsh
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in Australia on 2 January 2015
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Disappointing but it was the book he wanted to write.
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Christian Dechery
5.0 out of 5 stars Non-fiction at its finest
Reviewed in Brazil on 28 February 2024
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For lovers of non-fiction this is good as it gets. Amazingly gripping storytelling with a content range you can’t possibly fathom comes all from a single person. Yet it does.
The way the author delivers stories, science facts and his own input as food for thought is just remarkable. Delicious reading from page one to last. This is how good it is.
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JW Powell
5.0 out of 5 stars Bryson is a treasure!
Reviewed in the United States on 17 February 2024
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Another fun and insightful book from Bill Bryson. His books are so easy to read. I like the way he mixes story-telling, whimsical narratives, and real, hard science and history. It's a superb balance that keeps his books fun and interesting to read.
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Euan M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read
Reviewed in Canada on 20 November 2023
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BEST book I have read in a while. If you or someone has an enquiring mind non any subject. This will be a must read. It explains in a fun and very informative way many things that we know about but dont understand. Well written and very informative. It is hard to put down!
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Hilda
5.0 out of 5 stars Muy interesante
Reviewed in Mexico on 11 July 2022
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Vale la pena la lectura
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterful Journey Through the Cosmos: "A Nearly Short History of Everything
Reviewed in India on 20 March 2024
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Billy Bryson's "A Nearly Short History of Everything" is an extraordinary voyage through time, space, and the wonders of the universe. From the smallest particles to the vast expanse of galaxies, Bryson's narrative captivates readers with its blend of wit, insight, and boundless curiosity.

With meticulous research and engaging prose, Bryson effortlessly distills complex scientific concepts into accessible and entertaining anecdotes. Whether unraveling the mysteries of quantum mechanics or pondering the origins of life itself, Bryson's storytelling prowess shines brightly, making even the most esoteric subjects engaging and relatable.

What sets "A Nearly Short History of Everything" apart is Bryson's ability to seamlessly weave together science, history, and human experience. By tracing the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate phenomena, Bryson unveils the grand tapestry of existence in all its splendor and complexity.

Moreover, Bryson's infectious enthusiasm for discovery is palpable on every page, inviting readers to share in the awe and wonder of the cosmos. Whether you're a seasoned scientist or a curious layperson, this book offers something for everyone, enriching the mind and stirring the imagination.

In conclusion, "A Nearly Short History of Everything" is a tour de force of scientific storytelling, deserving of every accolade it receives. Bryson's genius lies not only in his mastery of the subject matter but also in his ability to inspire wonder and curiosity in readers of all ages. Simply put, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to explore the wonders of the universe. Anyways it's a good book 👍.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterful Journey Through the Cosmos: "A Nearly Short History of Everything
Reviewed in India on 20 March 2024
Billy Bryson's "A Nearly Short History of Everything" is an extraordinary voyage through time, space, and the wonders of the universe. From the smallest particles to the vast expanse of galaxies, Bryson's narrative captivates readers with its blend of wit, insight, and boundless curiosity.

With meticulous research and engaging prose, Bryson effortlessly distills complex scientific concepts into accessible and entertaining anecdotes. Whether unraveling the mysteries of quantum mechanics or pondering the origins of life itself, Bryson's storytelling prowess shines brightly, making even the most esoteric subjects engaging and relatable.

What sets "A Nearly Short History of Everything" apart is Bryson's ability to seamlessly weave together science, history, and human experience. By tracing the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate phenomena, Bryson unveils the grand tapestry of existence in all its splendor and complexity.

Moreover, Bryson's infectious enthusiasm for discovery is palpable on every page, inviting readers to share in the awe and wonder of the cosmos. Whether you're a seasoned scientist or a curious layperson, this book offers something for everyone, enriching the mind and stirring the imagination.

In conclusion, "A Nearly Short History of Everything" is a tour de force of scientific storytelling, deserving of every accolade it receives. Bryson's genius lies not only in his mastery of the subject matter but also in his ability to inspire wonder and curiosity in readers of all ages. Simply put, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to explore the wonders of the universe. Anyways it's a good book 👍.
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