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sarahanne8382 's review for:
A Short History of Nearly Everything
by Bill Bryson
I've wanted to read this book ever since I heard about it. Of course then I thought that 'history' meant the traditional academic discipline of history, but the 'nearly everything' that Bryson recounts the history of is actually natural science. He starts really big with the formation of the universe and works all the way down to the appearance and development of human beings, and picks up many topics along the way, often illustrating the history of scientific development as well.
*Edit* One of the really cool things about reading this book right now is that I got some extra insight into the current developments with Pluto. Kyle & I went out with my parents last night, & I was busy explaining this whole thing to all three of them. I guess it shows how on top of things Bryson was, that his book written a couple years ago explains the state of the solar system sufficiently that this recent decision really makes sense.
I fell in love with Bryson's writing style while listening to The Mother Tongue, a history of the English language. Then I found out that he grew up in Des Moines, which really settled things for me. He sort of reminds me of Dave Barry, expect, Bryson's trying to be intelligent and just happens to be funny, whereas Barry is trying to be funny and just happens to be intelligent (in a common sense kind of way). I also thought of describing Bryson as sort of a gossipy scholar. He's tells you the official story, but also finds the interesting tidbits that aren't vital, but do bring an entertaining flavor to generally dry subjects.
Part of the reason Bryson brings these seemingly unimportant details to light is that he's not a scientist. He approaches the science behind the workings of the universe as an interested novice, and as such, asks questions that scientists aren't always prepared to answer. Some of them sort of remind me of the premise behind the book Why Do Men Have Nipples? Hundreds of Questions You'd Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Martini.
Maybe his non-expert status is why he's able to keep such an open mind. He brings up a lot of science you probably learned in school, but plenty that you haven't. It was just the right mix to keep me interested without going over my head. He also manages to navigate the touchy subjects of science without demonizing modern science or dismissing religious beliefs. Of course this book is written from a scientific perspective, so that is the focus, but Bryson totally acknowledges the struggles scientists had when discovered things that seemed to contradict the Bible. His "happy medium" perspective is supported by the wide range of evidence he acknowledges on every topic. The only clear definitive points this book make are that the universe is simply too vast and detailed for us to think that we could ever understand it completely, & despite that perpetual ignorance, isn't it a wonderful place?
*Edit* One of the really cool things about reading this book right now is that I got some extra insight into the current developments with Pluto. Kyle & I went out with my parents last night, & I was busy explaining this whole thing to all three of them. I guess it shows how on top of things Bryson was, that his book written a couple years ago explains the state of the solar system sufficiently that this recent decision really makes sense.
I fell in love with Bryson's writing style while listening to The Mother Tongue, a history of the English language. Then I found out that he grew up in Des Moines, which really settled things for me. He sort of reminds me of Dave Barry, expect, Bryson's trying to be intelligent and just happens to be funny, whereas Barry is trying to be funny and just happens to be intelligent (in a common sense kind of way). I also thought of describing Bryson as sort of a gossipy scholar. He's tells you the official story, but also finds the interesting tidbits that aren't vital, but do bring an entertaining flavor to generally dry subjects.
Part of the reason Bryson brings these seemingly unimportant details to light is that he's not a scientist. He approaches the science behind the workings of the universe as an interested novice, and as such, asks questions that scientists aren't always prepared to answer. Some of them sort of remind me of the premise behind the book Why Do Men Have Nipples? Hundreds of Questions You'd Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Martini.
Maybe his non-expert status is why he's able to keep such an open mind. He brings up a lot of science you probably learned in school, but plenty that you haven't. It was just the right mix to keep me interested without going over my head. He also manages to navigate the touchy subjects of science without demonizing modern science or dismissing religious beliefs. Of course this book is written from a scientific perspective, so that is the focus, but Bryson totally acknowledges the struggles scientists had when discovered things that seemed to contradict the Bible. His "happy medium" perspective is supported by the wide range of evidence he acknowledges on every topic. The only clear definitive points this book make are that the universe is simply too vast and detailed for us to think that we could ever understand it completely, & despite that perpetual ignorance, isn't it a wonderful place?