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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
slow-paced
I very quickly realised this would be a very science-y book which I probably should've known way before beginning reading.
I don't mind rocks and cell type science but I definitely prefer a more anthropology-based type of history where human behaviour is involved. I tend to find the stats with millions and billions of whatever with so many zeroes after it just too abstract and incomprehensible, frustratingly so.
Anyway, all that to say, Bryson manages to add charm almost incessantly. The amount of fun facts are pleasantly surprising although so quick-fire, I found myself wondering more than once how many would actually sink in.
I don't mind rocks and cell type science but I definitely prefer a more anthropology-based type of history where human behaviour is involved. I tend to find the stats with millions and billions of whatever with so many zeroes after it just too abstract and incomprehensible, frustratingly so.
Anyway, all that to say, Bryson manages to add charm almost incessantly. The amount of fun facts are pleasantly surprising although so quick-fire, I found myself wondering more than once how many would actually sink in.
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
"A Short History of Nearly Everything and A lot of Anecdotes that don't add all that much" would be a better title.
Some parts were very, very interesting and made me think about fascinating stuff like the birth of the universe and how life started, subjects that really appeal to me.
Some parts were, to me, quite hard to get through. For somebody who boasts that his book is very easy to read, it's really not all that easy for somebody with 0 knowledge on science. That having said, it is definitely easier to read than other scientific books, and people with more knowledge about science and nature will find it very easy indeed.
The biggest problem I had, is that while he tries to give a brief but complete overview of life and discoveries, he spends so much time talking about anecdotes. They can be funny and give a bit of relief during a difficult chapter, but in the end I don't want to read a whole page about the personal life of a scientist, when I want to read a brief history about nearly everything.
All in all, it is an interesting book, I just expected more of it.
Some parts were very, very interesting and made me think about fascinating stuff like the birth of the universe and how life started, subjects that really appeal to me.
Some parts were, to me, quite hard to get through. For somebody who boasts that his book is very easy to read, it's really not all that easy for somebody with 0 knowledge on science. That having said, it is definitely easier to read than other scientific books, and people with more knowledge about science and nature will find it very easy indeed.
The biggest problem I had, is that while he tries to give a brief but complete overview of life and discoveries, he spends so much time talking about anecdotes. They can be funny and give a bit of relief during a difficult chapter, but in the end I don't want to read a whole page about the personal life of a scientist, when I want to read a brief history about nearly everything.
All in all, it is an interesting book, I just expected more of it.
Full disclaimer I listened to this as an audiobook while on runs.
Pretty fun stuff, I’ve decided that I’ll stick to non fiction for runs, if I zone out, I can still relatively keep up with the information or just chalked it up to the next chapter.
Bill thinks he’s hilarious and some jokes hit I won’t lie.
My favorite insights were going beyond what’s commonly known of scientists in textbooks. Yes, we get to hear what they were famous for but he also talked about their faults, and what made them human.
Crazy to know if you had enough money you could write yourself into history. Or if you were poor and just didn’t have the connections, you had discovered something someone famous down the line will be recognized for.
I owe it to myself to digest this in text, maybe in the future.
Pretty fun stuff, I’ve decided that I’ll stick to non fiction for runs, if I zone out, I can still relatively keep up with the information or just chalked it up to the next chapter.
Bill thinks he’s hilarious and some jokes hit I won’t lie.
My favorite insights were going beyond what’s commonly known of scientists in textbooks. Yes, we get to hear what they were famous for but he also talked about their faults, and what made them human.
Crazy to know if you had enough money you could write yourself into history. Or if you were poor and just didn’t have the connections, you had discovered something someone famous down the line will be recognized for.
I owe it to myself to digest this in text, maybe in the future.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
Doesn't real y explain anything, just name dropping
The structure is also quiet chaotic
The structure is also quiet chaotic