A Short History of Nearly Everything
By Bill Bryson
- Release Date: 2003-05-06
- Genre: World History
Description
THE #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER, UPDATED FOR 2025 • A wonder-filled quest to understand everything that has happened in the history of the Earth, from the Big Bang theory to the rise of civilization and beyond—revised to reflect the last two decades of scientific advancement
“Brims with strange and amazing facts . . . destined to become a modern classic of science writing.”—The New York Times
How did we get from being nothing at all to where we are today? How did the age of the dinosaurs eventually give way to the age of the iPhone? In this completely revised update to the international phenomenon A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson returns to answer these questions and many more.
Bryson brings a groundbreaking account of life itself to a new generation of readers, as he takes subjects often passed off as boring and incomprehensible and renders them accessible, fascinating, and outright amusing to anyone who’s ever wondered about the world around them. Introducing readers to a diverse cast of the world’s most impressive archaeologists, paleontologists, physicists, astronomers, anthropologists, and mathematicians—from their offices and laboratories to dig sites and field camps—Bryson embarks on a journey to discover answers to the biggest questions about the universe and ourselves.
A Short History of Nearly Everything is a profoundly enlightening, surprisingly humorous, and charmingly clever adventure into the realm of human knowledge, as only Bryson can render it. His revamped Short History is a thrilling journey through time and space, and his writing will make readers both new and old see the world in a whole new way.
Reviews
AMAZING
5By sorwakeThis book is so good, it hooks you so quickly and reels you in with an idea of “how do we make a science textbook readable to a normal person?” Another Bill Bryson masterpiece. 5 stars no question.A Short History of Nearly Everything
5By BestdrewsmomWonderful!!Great Book
5By B1msudogBryson is a wonderful writer. He makes history live with a human compassion and understanding and makes complex subjects real for the layman. He sprinkles just enough gossip and humor to keep any reader riveted to a brilliant storyline. He educates without preaching and entertains without malice. He funnels genius and opens your thinking, while giving you an appreciation for the work of so many great and not so great people. Read this book you will not regret it.Wow
5By sdrparksI cannot believe how well Bryson brings details of history to light while keeping the prose entertaining. This is easily THE best nonfiction piece I have ever encountered. If you have never experienced Bryson's work, start here.Fantastic
5By GaudzillaI've read a LOT of science books and journals, but none since perhaps Carl Sagan's 'Cosmos' was this entertaining -and- informative. A must read!
