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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
Bill kills it every time. Perfect audiobook for a workday
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
As always Bryson has a way of imparting interesting and educational information in a way that’s digestible to the layperson and he does it with a smattering of with and humor. While obviously a long book it didn’t feel as long as it is. Throughout I enjoyed learning about a variety of topics I either had a very tangential knowledge of or none whatsoever.
funny
informative
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced
When I was looking at the 2022 Read Harder Challenge for the first time and saw #9: "Read the book that's been on your TBR the longest", I knew without looking what that book would be, even though I haven't looked at the beginning of my list in years. And that's because I've been avoiding this book for as long as I've wanted to read it. Just one word for you: supervolcano.
In Bryson's signature breezy, humorous, yet intelligent style, he will explain to you the origins of the universe, our solar system, and life on earth, and then go on about how it could end at any time. I will admit, reading about the supervolcano wasn't as stressful as I thought it would be. Just thinking about the supervolcano is enough for that reaction to happen, so really I should have just read read this years ago.
When Bryson says "nearly everything" in the title, what he really means is nearly everything about science and what we know about it and how we know about it, and all the things we DON'T know. I will admit, I was really looking forward to him trying to cram all of human history in here in some sort of heroic summary, but what was actually here made more sense.
I did enjoy learning that once there were enormous guinea pigs the size of rhinoceroses, huge sloths the size of cows, and rhinoceroses the size of two-story houses, but sadly they are all gone now. Also, the history of science is chock full of petty white men.
The audio for this is great. It's read by a British guy called Richard who makes everything sound fancy.
Read Harder Challenge 2022: Read the book that’s been on your TBR the longest.
In Bryson's signature breezy, humorous, yet intelligent style, he will explain to you the origins of the universe, our solar system, and life on earth, and then go on about how it could end at any time. I will admit, reading about the supervolcano wasn't as stressful as I thought it would be. Just thinking about the supervolcano is enough for that reaction to happen, so really I should have just read read this years ago.
When Bryson says "nearly everything" in the title, what he really means is nearly everything about science and what we know about it and how we know about it, and all the things we DON'T know. I will admit, I was really looking forward to him trying to cram all of human history in here in some sort of heroic summary, but what was actually here made more sense.
I did enjoy learning that once there were enormous guinea pigs the size of rhinoceroses, huge sloths the size of cows, and rhinoceroses the size of two-story houses, but sadly they are all gone now. Also, the history of science is chock full of petty white men.
The audio for this is great. It's read by a British guy called Richard who makes everything sound fancy.
Read Harder Challenge 2022: Read the book that’s been on your TBR the longest.
Must read for STEM educators! Borrowed this book from the library but think I need to buy a copy for reference.
informative
I liked the writing style, but was hoping more more history in the traditional sense
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced