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A Short History of Nearly Everything

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A Short History of Nearly Everything

By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: William Roberts
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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.

©2003 Bill Bryson (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Earth Sciences History History & Philosophy Nature & Ecology Philosophy Science World Natural History Witty Thought-Provoking Paleontology Funny Scary Suspenseful Cosmology Mathematics
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Editor reviews

In his latest release, A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson compounds the story of human existence, or rather what is known of it so far, into one incredible audiobook expertly narrated by American voice performer William Roberts. Be entertained by even the most complex of discoveries, all broken down in a way that makes them understandable and enlightening. Covering innumerable topics of human achievements, you will be tremendously inspired by the significance these discoveries have had on life as we know it today. Available now from Audible.

Critic reviews

"To read Bryson is to travel with a memoirist gifted with wry observation and keen insight that shed new light on things we mistake for commonplace. To accompany the author as he travels with the likes of Charles Darwin on the Beagle, Albert Einstein or Isaac Newton is a trip worth taking." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Stylish [and] stunningly accurate prose....Brims with strange and amazing facts...destined to become a modern classic of science writing." ( The New York Times)
All stars
Most relevant
Bryson delivers a truly mesmerising account of scientific exploration and the people behind it in this fantastic work. All of the areas one would expect are covered, with cosomology, astronomy, geography, geology, and biology all given comprehensive cover.

That Bryson is not a scientist undoubtedly helps him cover such a wide range. His tone is that of man on a voyage of discovery himself (as he surely was) and not as an academic in an ivory tower. This abstraction allows for touches of Bryson's humour to shine through when similar texts from within science would perhaps be a little dry.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of 'A Short History' is the attention given to the human stories behind the great discoveries discussed; we are given insights into the minds of Darwin, Newton, Lyle and countless others that fascinate, inform, and leave you grasping for the nearest pen as you feel the need to track down that certain biography or key text. This move lightens the factual density nicely and allows us to see another aspect of science. This imposing, faceless entity that is 'Science' is not the clean, crisp discipline its practitioners would wish, but a place filled with all the deceit and vengeful intent of your average episode of Eastenders.

For my money, Bryson spends a little too long discussing the catastrophic (although this is probably reflected in science itself) without putting his facts it into context, and this is perhaps the books greatest flaw. Still, 'A Short History' is peerless and certainly warrants your attention. I would also implore you to listen to this unabridged version. While the abridged version is read by Bryson which is an appeal, the narrator here is fantastic and certainly does the book justice. The chapters last around 40 minutes meaning that while the sum total is large, each segment can be easily digested. If you do choose the unabridged version; you are in for a 20 hour treat that won't easily be forgotten.

a fascinating journey through science

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I really enjoyed this book although I believe some of its information is slightly dated now. I found the narrators voice really annoying!

Interesting book, shame about the narrator’s voice

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I love listening to Bill Bryson and like science books, so this seemed ideal but I found the narrator so annoying I eventually give up. His voice is quite high pitched and just a bit manic and as it is a long book I couldn't cope with it. I have all the Bryson audiobooks read by the author, (except the abridged version of this one) but a number of them are read by this narrator and I am not buying any more.

Love the book, hate the narrator

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Read with a manner which entices and inspires.
Content which induces thought in new and exciting ways on topics otherwise unfamiliar to the majority.
Enables and encourages the spread of a wealth of knowledge that has both the reader and those around them in awe at the depth and significance of its teachings.
But overall an enjoyable experience beyond any I have yet encountered from literature.
An astounding piece of work everyone should partake in engaging with.

An Unequivocal Must Read

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the story is entertaining in that it gives the background to many of sciences discoveries. it also mentions some un sung hero's of science. which is endearing. it does at times jump about a bit which is not ideal but all in all a great read.

very good

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