Customer Reviews
Not for me - By: Sally Wilton, 25 Aug 2008 
I started out with enthusiasm with this book but should have read the title a little more carefully. A short 'history'of nearly everything with the emphasis on HISTORY. This book goes into great detail on how & when each new bit of information was discovered with biographies of the scientists involved. This was not really what I wanted to read about as would prefer just to know the latest most up to date information & there are plenty much more interesting books on these topics, I have been browsing the Lonely Planet version on space & science which is illustrated & topical. Dont wish to offend fans of Bill Bryson, it is probably my mistake.
How to learn very little about quite a lot - By: Mr. Tristan Martin, 24 Aug 2008 
Bill Bryson's book is an attempt to discuss the origins of life, the universe & everything contained therein. It's slightly tongue-in-cheek title indicates that this isn't going to be some heavyweight, academic discussion but more of a Now That's What I Call Science! After all, no book can seriously claim to be all-encompassing & completely comprehensive on any one subject, let alone "everything."
A Short History of Nearly Everything is clearly written to be a book that appeals to people who wouldn't normally want to read a whole book about gravity, molecular science, or paleontology; as a result, the book falls betwixt two stools: it skims superficially pretty much every subject it touches upon, so those only mildly interested won't learn much & those who have already read something on their specialised subject probably won't learn anything they didn't already know.
The first half of the book is the most interesting, containing some great anecdotes about the famous names of science (Newton, Darwin & so forth); this section shines & brings to life people whose names have become synonymous with their subject matter. However, as the various disciplines become more professionalised, the well of anecdotal material runs short, & the book loses much of its appeal.
One of the key themes of this work, which is not overtly stated but seems unmissable, is that the narrative of the history of science is quite different from how the mainstream media portrays science itself. Specifically, science is often presented as being the concept of a battle over evidence: how an idea is proposed, evidence is put forthin support, counterevidence is held up against it & ultimately, whichever theory fits most of the facts is deemed to be that which is most probable. This is not the case, according to Bryson's book. What is deemed to be scientifically true is determined just as much by factors of cultural acceptance as objective facts. Theories are put forth, ignored, then ridiculed, then, when the evidence becomes such that it can neither be marginalised nor mocked, the theory is embraced & history effectively rewritten so that science can be presented as being the onward march of progress & enlightenment. A reassuring but historically dubious narrative.
A Short History... is marketed around the "Bill Bryson" brand: his low-key charm, wit & self-effacing humour is meant to enliven the driest of subjects. Therefore, if you enjoy his style, then you will probably enjoy this book & indeed, the book was charmingly well written & certainly easy to consume. However, at best, A Short History of Nearly Everything is a shallow introduction to the key disciplines of the various sciences, animated by some fine anecdotal touches. Bryson's book will probably provide a drop-off point for those wishing to explorein greater breadth subjects of which their curiosity has been piqued.
Everyone should read this - By: J. Moyle, 20 Aug 2008 
This is a great book that everyone should read, Bill Bryon has written this brilliantly with some amusing sections. It really shows the reader why science is so interesting & how various people (with intriguing characters)in history have worked towards some great discoveries including some of those who missed out on grabbing the credit for it.
I really enjoyed reading this.. if only science was taught like this when I was at school!
Compelling - By: jenchris40, 04 Jul 2008 I've just borrowed this book from my local library on cassette, & can't bear to let it go back without owning it! Bryson's usual humorous, articulate style of writing has won me over yet again. Some might call it "dumbing down", I think it's no crime to have such a wonderful talent for explaining the unimaginable, & Bryson makes all that science stuff accessible & understandable (no mean feat where my arty brain is concerned!)
Once again Amazon's amazing price means that I can add a true classic to my ever growing audio cd collection. Thank you Amazon!
Good... - By: Kevin Kenny, 24 Jun 2008 ...and moves along at a good pace keeping the readers attention. However ditch this & read Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" first, it's the daddy & still timeless.
