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A Short History of Nearly Everything

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A Short History of Nearly Everything

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

 A Short History of Nearly Everything is Bill Bryson's quest to understand everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization. He takes subjects that normally bore the pants off most of us, like geology, chemistry, and particle physics, and aims to render them comprehensible to people who have never thought they could be interested in science. In the company of some extraordinary scientists, Bill Bryson reveals the world in a way most of us have never seen it before.©2003 Bill Bryson (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Earth Sciences History History & Philosophy Nature & Ecology Philosophy Physics Science World Thought-Provoking Natural History Funny Inspiring Feel-Good Witty Cosmology Palaeontology

Editorial reviews

In his latest release, A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson compounds the story of human existence, or rather what is known of it so far, into one incredible audiobook expertly narrated by American voice performer William Roberts. Be entertained by even the most complex of discoveries, all broken down in a way that makes them understandable and enlightening. Covering innumerable topics of human achievements, you will be tremendously inspired by the significance these discoveries have had on life as we know it today. Available now from Audible.

Critic Reviews

"To read Bryson is to travel with a memoirist gifted with wry observation and keen insight that shed new light on things we mistake for commonplace. To accompany the author as he travels with the likes of Charles Darwin on the Beagle, Albert Einstein or Isaac Newton is a trip worth taking." (Publishers Weekly)
"Stylish [and] stunningly accurate prose....Brims with strange and amazing facts...destined to become a modern classic of science writing." (The New York Times)
All stars
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Scientific knowledge is vast, so the book is not short. Bryson adds a sense of humour and finds funny anecdotes to keep the listener entertained. Often the people involved have a story worth telling that is more interesting than their scientific achievements and the most unlikely people made the biggest discoveries. The history and tortuous journey of science can make it more memorable and explained in simple terms makes it understandable.

All of science condensed with a sense of humour

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You must pay attention and you will be rewarded. I learned a lot from the book. sometimes it is a little dry. but stay with it and you will wish for more.

excellent audiobook

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A fantastic novel with outstanding coverage of topics. The narrator did a fantastic job and made all topics very easy to follow, while going into great depth.

Fantastic

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It is a great book, very well read. Would recommend to anyone wanting to have a good listen.

great

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I read this since it was the Editor's Extra from Audible Australia. I don't like reading non-fiction, but I am getting to appreciate having non-fiction read to me, hence the four stars. Bill Bryson is good at writing books for the likes of me, although this is the first of his that I have read. The narrator was good, especially doing well with the scientific names for things, but being from NZ I found myself repronouncing the name of the Takahe. I also purchased the Kindle edition so that I could check things like that in the written word.

Well done for a non-fiction book

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For me the narrator kills this version of a brilliant bit of general science written for the average person in the street. Obviously this all comes down to personal tastes, but the book just seems much more important in the Richard Matthews version.

Bryson's work itself - the book - really is a rollicking adventure through both time and space, and everything around and inside us. He does a marvellous job of making difficult topics manageable and impossible ones - at the very least - appreciable. Which is ultimately why it's so loved and lauded.

Just for me, the Matthews reading is much better

Love the book... but this narrator?

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Who would of knew that a science book could be so interesting! I listen to this book every night before bed. I just have to keep on listening to it. I actually understand, well every thing now.

What a story

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A fantastic way to get an overview of many of the discoveries and fascinating people who have contributed to our understanding of life on Earth thus far.

Enjoyable and Informative

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It really is a brief history of, if not everything, a whole lot of things.

Its the type of work that covers enough to be educating, but not boring. Especially good as a spring board for your own studies.

I'll likely listen to this multiple times.

Elucidating!

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A definite must read! Super interesting and I enjoyed the Australian accents very much! :) 10/10

Fantastic! Must Read!

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