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kay_nutt's review against another edition
3.0
I’d probably give it a 3.5. I love Bryson’s writing style, and the information was very interesting. That said, it’s a difficult book to work through and has taken me a few months. Worth it if you like history and learning random things, but be prepared to work and think while you read.
oceanday8's review against another edition
4.0
Best science-related book I've ever read from a non-scientist. Had I read this my freshman year of college, I might have taken more science classes.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
3.5***
Well, the title pretty much gives you a synopsis of what this nonfiction work is all about – “nearly” everything.
Bryson allowed his curiosity about scientific discoveries to lead wherever it might take him, and he organized his findings in a somewhat chronological order (hence the “history”). He begins with how the universe came into being, and proceeds through how Earth came to be the rock we call home, the natural disasters / dangers of volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc, continues through the formation of life, from the smallest microbeings to, eventually, man (and the way we are destroying the planet on which we reside).
It’s dry in places, and extremely detailed as well. It’s also funny and entertaining occasionally. I found myself reading certain passages aloud to my husband (who, I think, was sorry he asked “What are you reading?”).
Well, the title pretty much gives you a synopsis of what this nonfiction work is all about – “nearly” everything.
Bryson allowed his curiosity about scientific discoveries to lead wherever it might take him, and he organized his findings in a somewhat chronological order (hence the “history”). He begins with how the universe came into being, and proceeds through how Earth came to be the rock we call home, the natural disasters / dangers of volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc, continues through the formation of life, from the smallest microbeings to, eventually, man (and the way we are destroying the planet on which we reside).
It’s dry in places, and extremely detailed as well. It’s also funny and entertaining occasionally. I found myself reading certain passages aloud to my husband (who, I think, was sorry he asked “What are you reading?”).
tylerfh's review against another edition
challenging
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
aadkatti007's review against another edition
5.0
an absolutely fantastic book i loved it, and it answered a lot of questions that i would have otherwise subjected my teachers to