Bill Bryson - A Short History of Nearly Everything

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!But that’s by the by. As usual, WoB service is impeccable. Arrived super speedy and the book in great (old) condition. The only way the experience could have been better were if the item was actually new.I know what I’m getting with World of Books. Reliable, useable, efficient service for used books. Often gifts or condition too. This one was for us though.

A fascinating history of the universe, earth, life, and mankind!

This is an amazing, fascinating book. It wonderfully describes the history of the universe, the history of earth, the history of life on earth, and the history of mankind. It also describes the history of our knowledge of the building blocks of matter, i.e., molecules, atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons, etc, as well as painting an amazing description of what it is like inside a cell. And he writes with a lovely sense of humor. It's full of "juiciness", not at all like a dull textbook. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in these things. Even if you don't have an interest, this book will most likely develop one FOR you!

Amazing purchase

I had wanted this for a long time moreover I have a penchant for hardcover books (who doesn't?). I got this amazing hardcover edition at an amazing discounted price. The dust jacket was intact, binding was proper, and pages were surprisingly white that it didn't even look like a pre-owned book. All the pages were properly printed and I am very satisfied with my purchase.

For the answers...Look Here!

This is not a book you read like a novel...although the first time I read it that is how I did it. It isn't bed time reading either...it gets the brain cells firing on all cylinders. If you like science and you like history this book is for you. It filled many gaps in my knowledge and is recommended if you have children who need information for projects(yes... the internet is good for that, but this book is far more engaging). This is my 'go to' book for scientific information in a readable and digestible form. Great stuff!

Grand in scope and a delight for the curious imagination

Creation is more wonderful that we imagine. Bill Bryson brings so much of it to life in this now slightly dated (first published in 2003) but nevertheless compelling overview. Indeed a short history of "nearly everything"! Whether you paid attention in your science classes or not this is a worthwhile and very informative companion. No need to read it cover-to-cover in one go - it's a pleasure to pick up when the mood takes you and never disappoints. A few "facts" are dated now ... the Higgs Boson was then yet to reveal itself ... and there are critics of some of the illustrative numerical examples such as the relative size of Pluto and the other planets. But, these are minor defects. The sheer breadth of coverage and the dramatic way the subjects are treated using ... MoreCreation is more wonderful that we imagine. Bill Bryson brings so much of it to life in this now slightly dated (first published in 2003) but nevertheless compelling overview. Indeed a short history of "nearly everything"! Whether you paid attention in your science classes or not this is a worthwhile and very informative companion. No need to read it cover-to-cover in one go - it's a pleasure to pick up when the mood takes you and never disappoints. A few "facts" are dated now ... the Higgs Boson was then yet to reveal itself ... and there are critics of some of the illustrative numerical examples such as the relative size of Pluto and the other planets. But, these are minor defects. The sheer breadth of coverage and the dramatic way the subjects are treated using historical and some still current figures makes this a must-read guide to the world as we know it. Still a fabulous read.

I have bought this book many times as a gift for friends.

Bill Bryson.It is amazing how some writers can utilize just 26 characters (letters of the alphabet) to producetruly inspiring works of art. Both entertaining and factual.Bill Bryson is one of those people.Just think a complete history of the Planet has been written using just 26 characters.Rustyn Thomas.

I wish everyone could read this book

If you read the whole book, cover to cover, it will put a dent in the way you used to see things. This book is a treasure. I've read it twice so far and the second reading was so enjoyable. I'm going to read it a third time and highlite as I go. Get the illustrated version.

Nothing and everything

If you're a knowledge junkie who's super interested in space and stuff and basically knowing how we came along here and how exactly everything was discovered by our fellow humans then this is probably the first book you should be reading.The book, as the title says, covers almost everything to get you started on the subject and from there you can easily move forward to whatever topic you like and wish to further study. This book is like everything and nothing of science. Everything because if you want to just gain insight on the topic then this is the perfect stop while nothing because this can be just a mere starting to such a vast and deep topic.

Old and inaccurate.

It's quite an old book now. Bryson does not understand science very well. He has evidently done a lot of research but I sometimes wonder where he gets his ideas from! I was recommended to read this book by climate sceptics as if it would provide evidence to disprove Anthropogenic Climate Warming. It doesn't. He claims that volcanoes emit more CO2 than humans - this is totally wrong. Volcanoes contribute about one-hundredth of the amount emitted by volcanoes. His explanation of Coriolis force is also glaringly wrong. Some of his descriptions of the vastness of our solar system are very good.

Really unique book!

This book simply blew my mind away! The author has a really unique way of narrating the events and I simply loved his quirky sense of humour. One, definitely needs to read this book and will understand why this book made it's way to so many reading lists. Don't hesitate and just purchase it off bookish santa which is providing this book at a throw-away price.