A Short History of Nearly Everything
If you feel you just don’t know the basics of modern science, what would you do? Well, if like most people you find textbooks mind-numbingly dull or haven’t read a science book since high school, you probably would not do what Bill Bryson did. He has taken it upon himself to basically teach himself about these subjects, and then write an entire book in an approachable and humorous style that will keep you entertained and…wait for it…actually interested in science again. It’s an ambitious project and we should be very grateful for him making the effort.

This book is a conversational primer on all the Big Topics:

1) the origin of space, time, and universe (The Big Bang)
2) the possibility of alien life in the universe and whether we will ever encounter it
3) how all the big scientific discoveries occurred in history and who made them (turns out brilliant scientists are often eccentric, frequently secretive and paranoid, have petty rivalries, and even when they do reveal their findings, are generally derided or ignored)
4) the origins of organic life, single and multi-celled
5) the proliferation of animal and plant species
6) the long process of developing sentience
7) the very contentious debate over how primates eventually evolved into Neanderthals and Homo Erectus, and where this happened first - Africa or Asia.

Separately, he also dives deep into the microscopic world, with a fascinating review of the basics of chemistry, subatomic particles, neutrons, quarks, etc. Much like Carl Sagan and Neil De Grasse Tyson, he is skilled at making big scientific concepts clearer, even if they remain extremely hypothetical and abstract, like quantum mechanics and string theory etc. This is all the more impressive as he is not a scientist like they are, and is best known for his whimsical travel books. I also discovered he had been chancellor at Durham University in England from 2005 to 2011, so he’s got a fascinating life path.

Having been a lifelong reader of SF, I myself go through periods where I feel like I really need to know more about the origins of Life, The Universe, and Everything. In the past, this meant reading a number of books on quantum physics and evolution, such as:

1) A Briefer History of Time and The Grand Design - Stephen Hawking

2) A Universe from Nothing - Lawrence Krauss

3) The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution - Richard Dawkins

4) The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal - Jared Diamond

This time, I’ve been inspired to tackle two books on quantum physics and String Theory that are notoriously difficult:

1) The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory - Brian Greene

2) Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos - Michio Kaku

Wish me luck!

Don’t let the 3 star rating mislead you. This was an awesome book and I’m certain others will think more highly of it. It is a great introduction for those not into the biography of the universe and the history of science. However, if you watch the Science Channel, History Channel, PBS, etc., then you’ll already know much of what’s covered. It is the true "Once upon a time. . ." story.

As someone with an interest in all things science, I was still impressed with the witty style of the writing and use of analogies to drive home various points. It’s a very entertaining listen and the narrator does an excellent job in reading it.

The most salient point of the book for me was the human paradox of how we are changing the world through our presence but at the same time how precarious our existence on it is. A favorite quote from the book for me is, “All life is one, is one of the most profound true statements there is.”

Think about this, for you to get where you are today, all of your ancestors had to survive long enough to find someone willing to pair up. Not an easy task surviving disease, war, or just being eaten. One break in the chain, one moment sooner or later in the conception process anywhere along the line and you don’t exist. It’s a miracle you’re here. And yet you are despite the odds against it. Just when you think you were meant to be here, you have to remember we could all be wiped out by a meteor strike at any moment.

Humans have been apart of only 0.0001% of Earth’s history and yet we have been chosen. As the author states, “We are the least there is. We may be all there is. We are the living universe’s supreme achievement and its worst nightmare simultaneously.”

One last quote to end with comes from Edward O. Wilson in his book,  The Diversity of Live, “One planet, one experiment."

این کتاب هم متاسفانه خسته کننده بود، دغدغه نویسنده این بود که چرا در کتب علمی نحوه رسیدن به حقایق بیان نمیشه. سر همین جزئیات خیلی حوصله سر بری رو از زندگی دانشمندا و پروسه رسیدنشون به تئوری ها مخصوصا تئوری های اشتباه رو بیان کرده بود. و یه مشکل دیگه این بود که قصد داشت مسائل علمی رو مثل محاسبه حجم کره زمین، قدمت زمین و ... بیش از حد ساده سازی کنه سر همین ادم اخر متوجه نمیشد که خب چرا فلان دانشمند به این عدد رسید. بعضی بخش های محدودی جالب بود ولی خب خوندن این کتاب صرفا تخمین محدودی از یه سری تئوری که درستی غلطیش هنوز مورد بحثه به شما میده نه تاریخ "همه چیز".
نویسنده مطالبی رو که صرفا هم تئوریک بیان شده بود بدون شواهد اماری صرفا به دلیل اجماع دانشمندا روی اون تئوری به عنوان حقیقت بیانش کرده بود.

A fascinating history of science. Ever curious how everything we know about the world came to be - read this! I loved reading about what old greats like Darwin thought about the world - they were all right about most things, but also very wrong about some things - makes you wonder how much we are wrong about today!

Another interesting piece was how many of the world's prominent scientists had the time to do their research because they came from rich families. Very different from todays notion of 'trust funders'.

I must admit that science is not my strong suit -- I've always been more of a Humanities gal. In high school, I had to work harder in my biology and chemistry classes, whereas English, history and social studies always came more easily to me.

Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything" is a good overview of all the science classes I didn't take (or don't remember) in college. It's like Intro to Physics, Chemistry, Geology and Astronomy all in one wonderfully droll book. Since I read very few books about science, this was an enjoyable departure for me.

Here is how the book begins: "Welcome. And congratulations. I am delighted that you could make it. Getting here wasn't easy, I know. In fact, I suspect it was a little tougher than you realize. To begin with, for you to be here now trillions of drifting atoms had somehow to assemble in an intricate and curiously obliging manner to create you. It's an arrangement so specialized and particular that it has never been tried before and will only exist this once. For the next many years (we hope) these tiny particles will uncomplainingly engage in all the billions of deft, co-operative efforts necessary to keep you intact and let you experience this supremely agreeable but generally under-appreciated state known as existence."

Some of my favorite sections were about the Big Bang, the debate about the age of the universe, plate tectonics, Darwin's research, and the extinction of different species. After sharing various stories of how humans have killed off who-knows-how-many species, Bryson interjects: "I mention all this to make the point that if you were designing an organism to look after life in our lonely cosmos, to monitor where it is going and keep a record of where it has been, you wouldn't choose human beings for the job." Sadly true, but also worth a HA!

I listened to this on CD read by the author, and if you've been following my reviews for a while, you'll know that I have a brain crush on Bryson and his narration. Seriously, I wish I could invite him over for tea and scones and just listen to him read all afternoon. (Bryson is from my home state of Iowa, but he's lived in England for so long that he's adopted a charming accent. It's adorable.) I was also able to look through a copy of the special illustrated edition, which includes dozens of photographs and prints. If you can find it, I highly recommend reading the illustrated edition.

"A Short History" was first published in 2003, and at the time, it was a big change from Bryson's previous travelogues. Since then, Bryson seems to have abandoned travel books and has been writing on different topics in history, such as the wonderful "At Home", "Shakespeare" and "One Summer: America 1927." While I enjoy his wry, humorous takes on history, I do miss his travel writing. If you're reading this, Bryson, please, take a trip somewhere. Have an adventure. Jot down a few notes and write another whip-smart travel book. Your fans will love it.

Se tem um livro sobre ciência que recomendaria para qualquer leigo interessado, é este. Bill Bryson escreveu muitos livros, principalmente sobre viagens, mas seu tratamento sobre a ciência é muito bom. Como jornalista, ele foi atraído por problemas e situações que os cientistas muitas vezes nem consideram, e que acho que tornam o livro muito mais acessível. Por várias vezes, trata não só da ciência como da vida pessoal dos cientistas envolvidos, com o tipo de "fofoca" que torna a leitura agradável mesmo para quem não tem familiaridade com o tema.

Must, must, must read.

If you enjoy history, and approachable science. From quantum mechanics to clouds, Bryson reviews what humans know and who made the discoveries, often with humorous behind the scenes tidbits.

Love, love, loved it.

“Tune your television to any channel it doesn't receive and about 1 percent of the dancing static you see is accounted for by this ancient remnant of the Big Bang. The next time you complain that there is nothing on, remember that you can always watch the birth of the universe.”

*2020 Update:* I regularly list this book as one of my all time favorites. Thinking I might need to reread it one of these days and see if it is still as good as I remember.

First off, this is a huge departure from Bryson's breezy, excellent travel logs. Secondly, this book should be read with some frequency. It is so densely packed with valuable insight, and sound bites of discovery that you could not possibly absorb it all with one pass. This is my second time reading it and I plan on doing it again next year. The organizational structure is a wonderful series of loosely connected cameos covering several essential and enlightened discoveries of man. As an added bonus, the book actually attempts to pay off on the cheeky title. Bryson's light, common man’s writing style “scats” from universal, to global, to biological with a loosely constructed cause and effect outline. His books (thankfully, including this one) are all peppered with wit and charm and a heavy snatch of sarcasm. Further and maybe more importantly, he has the good sense to skip over heavy deep dives into mathematics, theories or anything at an ivy graduate level. I love this guy. I feel like he wrote this book for me and I hope he writes 10 more just like this. 10/4/07

I abhor cliches, but in honor of Bryson's incredible achievement I'll indulge in one. I might very well choose "A Short History" as the ONE book I'd choose over all others ...if ...I was stranded on the proverbial desert island. Bryson has created a true encyclopedic kaleidoscope. Imagine the fun he had writing this book as he allowed his mind to logically wormhole through and across time!

Дълга история разказана добре. Множество истории под едно небе.

Много добре написана научно-популярна книга, която може да се превърне и в настолна. Изяснява някои основни положения без да доскучае и за момент. Да си призная през последните 2-3 години чета много повече non-fiction и ми действа чудесно да ги редувам с fiction.

Тук започваме с астрофизика, после геология, химия, биология, таксономия и тнт, и тнт. мултидисциплинарна популярна наука. Положително отбелязвам, че съставителят не е учен, което му е дало нужната перспектива, така че да е интересно на всеки средсностатистически читател (ако такова понятие има). И освен това си личи, че е любопитен човек. Също, че е почтителен към труда на учените. Много подходящ разказвачески тон. Ако бях чел такива книги преди 20 години, много по-интересни щяха да ми се струват предмети като Физика, Химия и Биология. Сякаш нарочно се опитваме да направим скучни науки, които могат да са много интересни. Физика и химия ми бяха най-слабите предмети, а откак съм завършил - ми е много интересно да чета книги, свързани с тях. По Биология имах по една дузина шестици на срок, но пък ни караха да учим всичко като стихотворение на изуст. Сега почти нищо не помня от учебния материал. Обаче помня почти всичко прочетено в "Sapiens", книгите от Мичио Каку, Нийл деГрас Тайсън и др.

Добавям и тази книга към категорията. Да, не е от учен, като гореспоменатите, но и това си има своите предимства. Да, почти нямаше абсолютно нова за мен информация, но понякога имаме нужда просто от още един цялостен преглед. Като стил си го представете като популярната поредица "Космос" - фундаментите и историите за техните откриватели. Плюс добро чувство за хумор - уместно като количество и като тон.

Ако имате (или сте) подрастващи - хубаво е да я прочетат, както и Sapiens на Харари и останалите добри образци от популярната наука. Може да гледате с друго око на предметите в училище и дори да ви се сторят интересни. Ще ми се и съставителите на учебници също да я препоръчам. А и във времена като сегашните без директно училище - добър заместител.

I know virtually nothing about science, so it was with some trepidation that I began reading this introduction to life, the universe and everything, which deals with questions such as "How did the universe originate?" and "How much does planet Earth weigh?". I ended up enjoying the hell out of it, as Bryson's writing style is so witty and accessible that it frequently made me laugh out loud. He has a knack of telling you not just about major developments in the history of the universe, but also about the scientists who made the discoveries he describes, who were frequently larger-than-life characters leading very tragic lives. To be honest, I enjoyed the asides on the scientists more than the science itself, but that didn't stop me enjoying reading all the bits about the Big Bang, early life forms and quarks. It also gave me an understanding of how random and unpredictable life really is, and how little mutations can lead to massive changes. Impressive stuff.

من أمتع ما قرأت

The science we study in schools can be compared to the tasteless sugary ice cream shoved carelessly in a wet conical-biscuit by the village ice-cream vendor who comes every Tuesday on his bicycle. No wonder, the study becomes repetitive and fails to ignite the passion in us to go further in time. Few of us dare to pursue the study of science. And those who take it, they do not because it interests them, but it promises to give a good job. Very few of us really study science because it amuses us.

Bill Bryson blames this lack of interest in science to our school days, “It was as if [the textbook writer] wanted to keep the good stuff secret by making all of it soberly unfathomable.”
Probably that was the reason why he came with such a wonderful rough guide to science ‘A Short History of Nearly Everything’. As if a chef decorating your plate with the sweetest creams carefully chosen from all parts of the world leaving you to wonder what to order more.

The book takes you from the gargantuan stars to subatomic particles in a matter of few pages. The journey form 10 raised to the power of 100 to 10 degraded to the power of -100 takes less than a minute. Traversing haphazardly from Cosmos to Bacteria, from Big Bang to Genetics,the book leaves the reader open mouthed. The book covers almost all branches of science, Space, Earth, Environmental, Life, Chemistry and Physics introducing us to the pioneers of each field.

One moment you will be lost in the cosmos. Next moment you will find yourself measuring the size of earth. You will burn in the fire below the earth’s surface before traveling backwards to the ice age. The book doesn’t claim to explain all. Neither it promises to elucidate the solved/unsolved mysteries. It just takes us in a time machine through all corners of world showing who is getting awestruck at that time by a sudden discovery of something unimaginable. Einstein, Newton, Hubble, Bohr, Avogadro, Planck, Maxwell, Darwin, Feynman. Along with their idiosyncrasies, it describes briefly the lives and wonders of the greatest personalities in the history of science in such fervour that you would gasp for more.

Being a gifted travelogue writer, Bill Bryson describes each occurring in such adroitness that not a single chapter will bore you. For example – instead of the text-bookish – ‘a million years ago in the world came the first human being,’ he writes, ‘if you fly backwards traveling one year per second it takes you half an hour to reach Christ’s birth and three weeks to reach the start of human race.’

Those who are in that mode of academics where they have to decide what to take up for their higher studies, should read this one and the path will be clear.

Bill Bryson shares his delight with such passion that I am sure it will rejuvenate your interest in science. Surely it did for me.