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A Short History of Nearly Everything
- Narrated by: William Roberts
- Length: 18 hrs and 59 mins
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A Short History of Nearly Everything
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Editor reviews
Summary
Featuring a special introduction written for the audiobook edition and read by the author
A Radio 4 Book Club Selection.
A Short History of Nearly Everything is Bill Bryson's fascinating and humorous quest to understand everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization. He takes subjects that normally bore the pants off most of us, like geology, chemistry, and particle physics, and aims to render them comprehensible to people who have never thought they could be interested in science. In the company of some extraordinary scientists, Bill Bryson reveals the world in a way most of us have never seen it before.
Critic reviews
"Stylish [and] stunningly accurate prose....Brims with strange and amazing facts...destined to become a modern classic of science writing." ( The New York Times)
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What listeners say about A Short History of Nearly Everything
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alastair Campbell
- 28-03-15
A great read, and re-read
This is a book just come back to every couple of years, it is just so packed full of interesting facts and ideas there is always something new (or at least things you have forgotten).
It is essentially the history of scientific discovery.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Meredith
- 07-04-13
Head asplode
I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants their mind blown. Extremely informative and so well written - this book is accessible and fascinating.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Lilyb
- 15-12-13
Give it ... time!
Where does A Short History of Nearly Everything rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Not the best, not the worst! Definitely worth listening to.
What did you like best about this story?
It's a good way to get your head round some of the "big questions" and I like the way that Bryson examines the sheer scale of the universe and the series of tiny coincidences that have allowed us to evolve the way that we have.
What about William Roberts’s performance did you like?
He really told the story (didn't just read it!)
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It was definitely funny, but (for me at least!) not laugh out loud funny!
Any additional comments?
I found it to take a while to get into (so not the audio equivalent of a page-turner), but once I did I really enjoyed it :)
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- John
- 24-12-12
Interesting throughout.
A great look at sience throughout history, only really provides a quick look at everything but then it is a 'brief' history. Well narrated and very enjoyable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ketan Dave
- 16-11-17
Fantabulous
The storyline is fantastic and the narration is superb. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to hearing more such books.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- iain
- 09-10-17
Very satisfying book. Flows like a story.
Very satisfying book. Flows like a story. Some basic knowledge of science is needed to access full enjoyment.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lesley
- 08-02-17
Amazing!
A superb book. Thought provoking and entertaining. Everyone should make time to listen/read this .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- mml
- 29-01-17
This book is brilliant! it taught me lots
So much science memories from school came back to me. I also learned lots of new things. it's simply amazing stories of truth
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Arina
- 27-04-16
Great book
Many amazing and useful facts presented in a very light and comprehensive manner. Even my 6 y.o. and 9 y.o. listened to some chapters with unexpected concentration and fascination. However parents' pre-listeming is advised as occasionly some inappropriate language is used. But I must admit, when it happens - it makes the book particularly hilarious for a grown-up. And it actually is the first book I'm going to listen again - will surely discover something new, missed first time. Highly recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tam M.
- 22-11-16
An all encompassing triumph
An outstandingly accessible introduction to so many vast and potentially overwhelming issues.
Bryson brings an "everyman" approach to a plethora of haughty subjects while maintaining the ability to leave the listener in awe at the majesty of it all. Narrated to perfection by William Roberts.
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