A Short History of Nearly Everything: The bestselling popular science book of the 21st Century: 5 (Bryson, 5)

This rough guide to the big scientific concepts that have emerged over the last few centuries has plenty of jaw dropping insights for lay readers like myself. It is full of Bryson's trademark exuberance and wry humour and plenty (perhaps a few too many?) metaphors and analogies to help us understand the inexplicable scale of things - from the very small to the very large. What I enjoyed most about this book is that he includes brief biographies of the scientists - both famous and not-so-famous - who discovered the key concepts we take as scientific fact today - what is particularly interesting is just how many of these people were not scientists at all, but people with curious minds using rudimentary instruments who made astonishing discoveries that still hold water today. Covering everything from cosmology to atomic physics to geology and climate - never patronising or overly simplified, and never obtuse , this is a very enjoyable read.

Bill Bryson books are almost always excellent and this is no exception. This gives an overview of the sciences from their origins to their current state (or at least the state they were at when the book was published). There are many books of a similar vein on the market but Bill Bryson brings a unique accessibility that come from, in my opinion, the way he brings the human element into the subject. The chapters are mostly categorised by science - geology, astrophysics, chemistry, biology, palaeontology etc. However the sciences, rather inevitably overlap from time to time within the chapters and follow the flow from chapter to chapter rather than dividing them up into unrelated topics. Most science books will quote the discoverer of a particular law or the postulator of a particular theory but treat them largely as objects or almost a sidebar to the theory itself. Bryson treats the people behind the science as people, with flaws, traits, ambitions, feuds, and rivalries that went to shape the way science in general developed. By leading the reader through the science in the book by introducing the personalities that shaped it the subject remains accessible even through some of the less intuitive areas and because Bryson is not a scientist there is constantly a feeling of all being a little bit lost in it together. A Short History is frequently amusing, almost always witty, and from time to time laugh out loud hilarious. Reading this book on the train will, I can assure you, cause a few looks to be directed your way if, like me you are an indiscreet chuckler, sniggerer, and prone to the occasional guffaw. To write an in-depth review of this book would require far more time than I am prepared to commit. All I will say is that I am on my 4th reading. I have read it 3 times in hardback and now shifted to Kindle, which is very useful as it is a pretty hefty tome, so that says something about the book as a source of entertainment as well as a source of information. I highly recommend picking up a copy whether it is as a straight read-through or as a pick up, put down book to dip and out of. It works very well as either.

This book offers a fascinating journey through the history of the world and the development of science as we understand it today. Rather than presenting information in a dry or overly academic way, the author has a talent for transforming complex facts into engaging stories. This narrative approach makes the material both accessible and enjoyable, allowing the reader to absorb a wide range of knowledge without feeling overwhelmed. What stands out most is the balance between education and entertainment. The book is clearly well-researched and informative, yet it never feels like a traditional textbook. Instead, it reads more like a series of interconnected stories that bring historical events and scientific discoveries to life. Overall, I found the book both interesting and educational. It is an excellent choice for readers who want to learn more about history and science in a way that is engaging, approachable, and genuinely enjoyable. A great read for anyone curious about how our understanding of the world has evolved.

I assume most people like me, are used to learning about science by fixating on one topic at a time, and becoming immersed (and very often lost) in the technical jargon and intricacies. This book surprised me in the amount of effort Bryson took to go through book after book of different sciences, both old and new, (from physics, chemistry, geology and many more) and connect the dots into several cohesive stories about our home, planet Earth, and its residents. The book's title is very apt.The breadth of history covered by this book is massive (as well as weighty!) – from the first fraction of a second of the Universe’s existence to the recent discoveries of the 20th century. Obviously there are certain gaps (hence the "nearly"), but Bryson readily points out what he does not know. It is an honest history of the scientific accomplishments since the earth's inception. It is a must read for every human, as it hands you a feeling of bursting pride - being a participant in humanity's great journey. Although the most surprising feature is the balance between the roles played by chance in many of these discoveries, and the unyielding human determination to identify a grey area, and seek knowledge accordingly. The book’s strength lies in its ability to convey the wonder (and complexity) of science to the average layman - mainly because Bryson, himself, has no scientific background and only recently familiarised himself with these wonders. More than just a condensed text of salient, factual information - Bryson brings this to life whilst describing the surrounding imperfect scientific process (why the information was sought after, how scientists honed their approaches from producing wildly incorrect estimations to the precisely calculated figures we use today, and why information or possibilities lie outside our grasp), as well as amusing anecdotes. The other strength of this book is that by approaching it from the POV of a non-scientist, Bryson nourishes our wonderment and understanding to grow as information fluidly disguised in Bryson’s energetic, quirky, familiar and humorous prose seep out each chapter, letting us journey alongside some of the most prominent (and some of the less prominent but equally brilliant) scientists in their obsessive pursuits. In fact, I found information that I loosely remembered from my schooldays and now find that the little bit of context and intrigue that Bryson adorns them with has left them impressed in my mind forever. [...]

I honestly don't think I can do this book justice here and I'm sure other reviewers will have been much more eloquent than I, but I have have to say this book is absolutely brilliant. I have always been interested in science and the world around us, but know frustratingly little of the huge amount there is to know and wonder at. Much of what I do know comes from watching the many wonderful documentaries that are available these days, but this book really hits the spot. Incidentally, I'm barely half way through reading it, but have been compelled to write a review anyway. I have already been awe-struck several times and there are many laugh-out-loud moments as well as several OMG moments (OMG wasn't quite the expression I used, but you get my drift). The history of what we do now "know" came about is interesting enough in itself. The hardships that past scientists endured to find the answers they sought is incredible: some making life-changing breakthroughs and others getting it wrong despite everything - well I just had no idea. Then the chapters on Volcanoes and earthquakes (which is as far as I've read to now) make you realise that the planet is one big disaster movie waiting to go off. The grey matter has been well stimulated and excited I can tell you. Funnily enough, I've had this book sitting on a shelf for years - on the list of things to get around to reading, but thought it might be a bit of a dry read. I was so wrong there, but the timing couldn't have been better. The chapter about earthquakes talks about Tokyo; how it sits over the meeting place of 3 tectonic plates which have been building pressure over the last 80+ years since the last quake - it says "... eventually it is bound to snap ..... and who knows how many people might die.". The book was written in 2003 (I think) and I read that chapter in the aftermath of the disaster that has indeed befallen Tokyo. Yes, the earthquake wasn't the main cause of death, but it set the ball rolling. It just brought home the reality of what I was reading - it's not all supposition and hypotheses - which just makes the following chapter on volcanos even more scary. This is an informative, exciting and fast-paced read. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone with an interest in this magnificent and awesome universe and the life that occupies it.

I had no prior knowledge or real interest in science before starting this book. But, ‘If you only ever read one non-fiction book…’ was the passionate recommendation from a friend. So I dived in open-minded, let the current pull me through this lengthy publication, treading water occasionally when concepts impeded the flow. About 20% of the book is dedicated to notes, a bibliography and an index, so the distance isn’t quite as daunting as I first feared. The book presents an overview of the natural sciences through the history of discovery. Bryson explores not just what we know, but how we know it and, just as importantly, what we don’t know. It is hard to imagine the research and talent required to write a tome so accomplished in its scope and execution. With more than a hundred thousand five-star Goodreads ratings and thousands of reviews since publication in 2003, I was very late coming to the party. However, that didn’t prevent me from enjoying and discovering this entertaining and enthusiastic work. For the most part, the writing is accessible and breezy. For example, when discussing the elements, Bryson writes: ‘What sets the carbon atom apart is that it is shamelessly promiscuous. It is the party animal of the atomic world, latching on to many other atoms (including itself) and holding tight, forming molecular conga lines of hearty robustness – the very trick of nature necessary to build proteins and DNA.’ Although I wouldn’t want to sit an exam on the contents, I’m sure I’ve learned much. There were moments where I paused for reflection, appreciating just how much we owe to some truly great minds. Bryson impresses upon the reader just how miraculous it is that humankind exists today. If there is a future for the human race, I wonder what the next stage of evolution will offer. If you too are late for the party, come on in — the after-party is a blast.

Just a great synopsis of history in an easy readable fashion. Easily understandable explanations for complex subjects interspersed with with and humour. Highly recommended.

It takes some courage to pick up this tome. It’s BIG. If you take the plunge, you’ll discover it’s very well researched, very readable, and very informative. The cosmology and physics are presented simply and clearly. The historical developments in such areas as geology, paleontology, archaeology, evolution and genetics are all meticulously documented, honouring all the discoverers by name and revealing their often bizarre motivations, strengths and weaknesses. Here are some quotes to show the tone of Bryson’s writing: When the Earth was only about a third of its eventual size, it was probably already beginning to form an atmosphere, mostly of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane and sulphur. Hardly the sort of stuff that we would associate with life, and yet from this noxious stew life formed. Carbon dioxide is a powerful greenhouse gas. This was a good thing, because the Sun was significantly dimmer back then. Had we not had the benefit of a greenhouse effect, the Earth might well have frozen over permanently, and life might never have got a toehold. But somehow life did. For the next 500 million years the young Earth continued to be pelted relentlessly by comets, meteorites and other galactic debris, which brought water to fill the oceans and the components necessary for the successful formation of life. It was a singularly hostile environment, and yet some-how life got going. Some tiny bag of chemicals twitched and became animate. We were on our way. Four billion years later, people began to wonder how it had all happened. [P. 63] Darwin and his geological friends needed the Earth to be old, but no-one could come up with a way to make it so. [P. 105] Yet when you consider conditions elsewhere in the known universe, the wonder is not that we use so little of our planet but that we have managed to find a planet of which we can use even a bit. You have only to look at our own solar system – or, come to that, the Earth at certain periods in its own history – to appreciate that most places are much harsher and much less amenable to life than our mild, blue, watery globe. [P.303] Lonely Planet Chapter 16 states that ‘if you wish to have a planet suitable for life, you have to be awfully lucky.’ Bryson then lists four of the fortunate breaks that Earth enjoys [P. 304-308]: An excellent location, just the right distance from our life-enabling star, the Sun The right kind of planet, in terms of composition, topography and atmosphere A twin planet, the Moon, whose gravitational influence keeps us stable Impeccable timing, in terms of ice ages and the like, which favoured our evolution. He does, however, add a rider: ‘a big part of the reason that Earth seems so miraculously accommodating is that we evolved to suit its conditions.’ The rise of life Organic compounds can arise spontaneously from a mixture of primeval gases and water through the actuation of an artificial lightning strike. What about proteins? ‘By all the laws of probability, proteins shouldn’t exist… Proteins can’t exist without DNA and DNA has no purpose without proteins. Are we to assume, then, that they arose simultaneously with the purpose of supporting each other?’ ‘We are no nearer to synthesizing life today than we were in 1953.’ [P. 350, 352] Whatever prompted life to begin, it happened just once. That is the most extraordinary fact in biology, perhaps the most extraordinary fact we know. Everything that has ever lived, plant or animal, dates its beginnings from the same primordial twitch. At some point in an unimaginably distant past some little bag of chemicals fidgeted to life. It absorbed some nutrients, gently pulsed, had a brief existence. This much may have happened before, perhaps many times. But this ancestral packet did something additional and extra-ordinary: it cleaved itself and produced an heir. A tiny bundle of genetic material passed from one living entity to another, and has never stopped moving since. It was the moment of creation for us all. Biologists sometimes call it the Big Birth. [P. 357-358] Darwin’s singular notion Charles Darwin, having failed as a student of medicine, law and divinity, had the privilege of sailing on the naval survey ship HMS Beagle, essentially as dinner company for the captain. From 1831 to 1836, he experienced adventure enough to last a lifetime. En route, he accumulated a hoard of specimens sufficient to make his reputation and to keep him occupied for years. In late November 1859, he published On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. It was priced at 15 shillings and has never been out of print. The notion of creation by design was a powerful one in the nineteenth century, and it gave Darwin trouble. ‘The eye to this day gives me a cold shudder,’ he acknowledged in a letter to a friend. In the Origin he conceded that it ‘seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest possible degree’ that natural selection could produce such an instrument in gradual steps. Ironically, considering that Darwin called his book On the Origin of Species, the one thing he couldn’t explain was how species originated. Darwin’s theory suggested a mechanism for how a species might become stronger or better or faster – in a word, fitter – but gave no indication of how it might throw up a new species. Darwin’s theory was a recipe not for change, but for constancy. [P.473] Darwin did eventually make his belief in our kinship with the apes explicit in The Descent of Man in 1871. The conclusion was a bold one, since nothing in the fossil record supported such a notion. [P. 477] Bryson goes on to relate the history of discovering The Stuff of Life (DNA etc.), before staring on the last section: The Road to Us. The restless ape Paleontologists have discovered rather few partial skeletons of apparent hominids in some very unlikely places. They have attempted to piece them together into some sort of progression from simple apes to deliberate, tool-making beasts. Something over a hundred thousand years ago, a smarter, lither species of creature – the ancestors of every one of us alive today – arose on the African plains and began radiating outwards in a second wave. Wherever they went, according to this theory, these new Homo sapiens displaced their duller, less adept predecessors. We know less about ourselves, curiously enough, than about almost any other line of hominids. Tongue in cheek, Bryson reflects on our unlikely position as Senior Manager of this Universe: 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. But here’s an extremely salient point: we have been chosen, by fate or providence or whatever you wish to call it. Conclusion As the title suggests, this book is about the history of things – cosmic and microscopic, material and living. It also tells the stories of the principle players (Homo sapiens) who discovered or investigated those things. As might be expected, therefore, it seldom delves into the thoughts and ruminations of those players. Occasionally, a question is raised or a puzzling statement made, which might trigger philosophical reflection. But the reader is left to answer it him or herself.

This is a fantastic book that covers a huge amount of information. It's presented interestingly and engagingly, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.

Cuando cayó este libro en mis mano no pude dejar de leer casi ni para comer. Engancha y cuenta de un modo muy didáctico y pedestre multitud de aspectos que son esenciales para comprender este mundo.

About 18 years ago, a colleague of mine recommend this lovely book by Bill Bryson. It was a pleasure to read and, over the years, I bought several copies of it as gift to friends and family. Although it doesn’t cover many topics (or people!), it remains a fantastic overview of science.

As usual, Bill Bryson has written an entertaining, humorous book. Penguin is a reliable publisher and the book is well-printed and of good quality. If you like Bill Bryson, go ahead and buy.

The book was perfect, brand new.