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A Really Short History of Nearly Everything
by
Bill Bryson
Enter the world of science as Bill Bryson unmasks the mysteries of the universe.
Did you know that:
• Every atom in your body has almost certainly passed through several stars and been part of millions of organisms on its way to being you?
• If you are an average-sized kid, you have enough potential energy inside you to explode with the force of several hydrogen bombs?
And—Wha...more
Did you know that:
• Every atom in your body has almost certainly passed through several stars and been part of millions of organisms on its way to being you?
• If you are an average-sized kid, you have enough potential energy inside you to explode with the force of several hydrogen bombs?
And—Wha...more
Hardcover, 176 pages
Published
October 27th 2009
by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
(first published January 1st 2008)
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A Really Short History of Nearly Everything is a fantastic snapshot of our planet’s history, spanning from the beginning of time to the environmental dilemmas that we’re currently facing.
I think that Bill Bryson has written a book that will draw kids into the fascinating world of science effortlessly. Well, it attracted my inner geek, anyway! The complex ideas that are breached in A Really Short History of Nearly Everything are explained clearly and simply without taking away their ...more
I think that Bill Bryson has written a book that will draw kids into the fascinating world of science effortlessly. Well, it attracted my inner geek, anyway! The complex ideas that are breached in A Really Short History of Nearly Everything are explained clearly and simply without taking away their ...more
Started reading this one with "the lads" after finishing "The Littlest Prince" in late August of last year. We read about two or three of the short articles regarding some unique aspect of the history and development of our civilization, planet, solar system, galaxy and universe. We read this book once or twice a week just before bedtime to keep their awesome, developing minds on the wonders found in the world of science and discovery. It is a great balance to the Bible an...more
Recommended Ages: grades 5-8
Did you know that:
• Every atom in your body has almost certainly passed through several stars and been part of millions of organisms on its way to being you?
• If you are an average-sized kid, you have enough potential energy inside you to explode with the force of several hydrogen bombs?
And—What happened to dinosaurs? How big is the universe? Why are oceans salty? Is a meteor going to hit us?
Tackling everythi...more
Did you know that:
• Every atom in your body has almost certainly passed through several stars and been part of millions of organisms on its way to being you?
• If you are an average-sized kid, you have enough potential energy inside you to explode with the force of several hydrogen bombs?
And—What happened to dinosaurs? How big is the universe? Why are oceans salty? Is a meteor going to hit us?
Tackling everythi...more
I very much enjoyed and recognize the value and virtues of this book but I have a few misgivings. While packaged for kids and bearing only the U.S. price tag, all spellings and measurements are given using the English system and I could find no conversion table nor notes about the differences. This would not be a problem for many children who would be likely to get their hands and heads around this book, but why pass up the opportunity for fundamental comprehension of scientific facts by withh...more
Couple of years ago I realized I know hardly anything about sciences, natural history and the like. Most of what I learned in high school, I'd forgotten. But no prob, thought I, isn't that what books are for? Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything" seemed perfect, but when I started reading that, it soon turned out it wasn't quite simple enough for my poor little brain. So when the YA version caught my eye, I jumped to the chance to learn stuff about nearly everything agai...more
did you know you have a lot of DNA inside you? "... nearly two metres squeezed into almost every cell. In fact, you may contain as much as 20 billion kilometres of DNA."
"The good news is that the last time life was virtually annihilated on our planet, it got back on its feet again. The bad news is that it took 60,000 years to do so, which means not one of us would be around to enjoy it."
"The good news is that the last time life was virtually annihilated on our planet, it got back on its feet again. The bad news is that it took 60,000 years to do so, which means not one of us would be around to enjoy it."
Short, kid version of Bill Bryson's book of the same name. Booktalked at middle school - read from the foreward and p. 51, Inventing Animals (how dug-up tusks used to be put in the wrong place on the animal's head, before scientists knew for sure (but do they REALLY know for sure now?!)).
I love this kids' version of the book--it covers most of what we teach in sixth grade social studies and science all in one book! It's kind of like a human primer. I think everyone should read it..and I also think it should serve as a textbook in middle school social studies classes.
James and I have enjoyed reading this together. He doesn't understand all the words but he loves the pictures. He gets to 'read' it during quiet time while I'm working and he happily calls out to me whenever he recognizes something. I'm happy his vocabulary is increasing and with good words too.
For myself, I've enjoyed learning new facts about my world and the universe in an entertaining way. Who knew that the moon was probably broken off from the Earth? Or that the earth is sl...more
For myself, I've enjoyed learning new facts about my world and the universe in an entertaining way. Who knew that the moon was probably broken off from the Earth? Or that the earth is sl...more
Grrrr, I was looking forward to a humorous book by a well-known author only to be bored to death. The only good thing is I got a Jeopardy Geography question because I heard about it in the book!
This book is amazing. Read it with Owen and I can't rave about it enough. If you have a kid in your life, this book is sure to be poured over.
The "real" version of this book was far more entertaining, but definitely not kid-friendly. I liked this book, but I expected to like it more.
Bill Bryson is a talented storyteller. He is the master of the anecdote. Bryson has conveyed a wealth of knowledge in all his books by engaging readers.
I love Bill Bryson because I love learning without text-book facts being forced into my brain. I prefer facts to find their way in and make themselves at home when I am happy to have them there.
This is a perfect book for learning a little bit about almost everything.
Highly recommended.
I love Bill Bryson because I love learning without text-book facts being forced into my brain. I prefer facts to find their way in and make themselves at home when I am happy to have them there.
This is a perfect book for learning a little bit about almost everything.
Highly recommended.
This is the only one i can find on goodreads; but it's the condensed version and in another language. I'm surprised, because I thought this was a really good one, unabridged and in English. It's called A Short History of Nearly Everything. I learned so much; he has a great narrative style which makes nonfiction entertaining.
Don't expect this to be a quick read, but every page of this enormous book contains an amazing story about the evolution of scientific knowledge. Considering Bryson isn't a scientist, his explanations and understanding of the historical subject matter is really incredible. Highly recommended.
I don't like non fiction that much, most of the time, but I really liked how the author made this book kind of funny and that there were alot of pictures.
Loved this book--although the title is misleading--it's a really short history of geology & biology. Each 2-page spread is a single topic, so it's great to pick up and put down easily. Similar to a DK book with its colorful pictures and informative captions.
This was about what was expected from a non-scientist, but a great story teller. His conclusions, when he had any of his own, were faulty, but fun to read anyway. Don't read this to learn about science, but read for entertainment.
A great book to read together with your children. The easiest explanation to a lot of things!
Makes history interesting and enjoyable.
Hooray! Now for kids!
fun and interesting read
How much I do remember from school!
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Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. He settled in England in 1977, and worked in journalism until he became a full time writer. He lived for many years with his English wife and four children in North Yorkshire. He and his family then moved to New Hampshire in America for a few years, but they have now returned to live in the UK.
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