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A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0

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A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0

By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: Bill Bryson
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Journey through time and space with Bill Bryson in the best-selling popular science book of the 21st century, exploring the history of the Earth, the universe, and everything in between.

NOW FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED IN THIS NEW ABRIDGED EDITION, READ BY THE AUTHOR.

Bill Bryson describes himself as a reluctant traveller, but even when he stays at home, he can't contain his curiosity about the world around him.

A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0 is the result of his quest to understand everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization – how we got from being nothing at all to what we are today. Now fully updated it explains among much else:

  • why Pluto is no longer a planet
  • how the number of moons in the solar system has more than doubled in 20 years
  • how scientists used advances in genetics to discover previously unknown species of early humans
  • why we still don't know what most of the universe is made of
  • how the little Higgs boson transformed physics

This journey through time and space will inform a new generation of readers, young and old, as well as those who read this book on first publication with a new perspective based on what we know now.

Written in his inimitable style, Bryson makes complex subjects fascinating and accessible to everyone with an interest in the world around them.

A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0 reveals the world in a whole new way.

'Possibly the best scientific primer ever published.' Economist

'Truly impressive...It's hard to imagine a better rough guide to science.' Guardian

© Bill Bryson 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Earth Sciences History History & Philosophy Physics Science World Solar System

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All stars
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Treat yourself to the UNABRIDGED first edition and just accept that it's a little out of date in a few places.

This abridged version has cut out too much of Bill's delightful and eloquent writing without any benefit whatsoever.

Abridged? Why?

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I preordered this and was surprised that it was an abridged version. Many of Bill Bryson’s audiobooks have a full and an abridged version. Audible should have been upfront about this being an abridged version and whether an unabridged version will be following. If an unabridged version follows this abridged version it will force many people to repurchase the full version, doubling sales. I do want a full unabridged version but will be very unimpressed with being manipulated.

Abridged! Which is disappointing

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I have read and listened to A Short History 3 times now and know I will do again. it is a remarkable telling of our history.

simply enthralling listening

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I first bought the hardcover of A Short History of Nearly Everything in the early 2000s, and it quickly became one of my favorites.

Soon after, it was also the first audiobook I ever bought. It was read by the author, and if I recall correctly, it came on six CDs. That version was abridged, but I really enjoyed it and listened to it countless times over the years.

Many years later, I purchased the full-length audiobook, which, while enjoyable, felt a bit too long-winded.
Some people are complaining that this version is abridged. I actually think it's probably better this way, especially since it’s read by the author.

Others are complaining that it contains no new material. I can assure you that it has enough new information.
For those complaining about the lack of new material, if listening to this book teaches us anything, it’s that science doesn't move quickly.

This updated version is still one of my favorite books, it’s just like the original, but it’s been refreshed with 20 years of new developments.

Remix of my first audiobook.

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I wouldn’t have preordered the audiobook if I’d known it was abridged. I love his books as audiobooks because of the sheer quantity of it! But I’m disappointed to have it almost half the length of the original.

Good as ever, but abridged

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