Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
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 2003)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,381)
Bryson, B. (2008). A really short history of nearly everything. New York: Delacorte Press.
Category: informational picture books
This the story of our universe and everything in it. It is presented in conversational tone making it an easier read, and includes interesting explanations such as how and why the Mason Dixon line was created (named after the men who "dre" the line) and how it became the division between slavery and freedom. Contents include: Lost in the cosmos, The size of the earth, A...more
Category: informational picture books
This the story of our universe and everything in it. It is presented in conversational tone making it an easier read, and includes interesting explanations such as how and why the Mason Dixon line was created (named after the men who "dre" the line) and how it became the division between slavery and freedom. Contents include: Lost in the cosmos, The size of the earth, A...more
Mar 31, 2012
Antoinette Schiffer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
informational-science
Bill Bryson is a talented writer who makes science fun and interesting! He manages to incorporate all the essential facts necessary to understand the evolution and mysteries of life. Every teacher, parent, and child should own a copy of A Really Short History of Nearly Everything. The book is written in a clear and labeled format that is easy for any child to read. Furthermore, it has colorful illustrations, and it asks and answers questions about science. The science topics in the book elucidat...more
Sep 10, 2010
Sophie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
for-review,
non-fiction
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 impact or ad...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 impact or ad...more
Good information but a horrible, horrible layout. It is written like a children's book full of imagery that looks like it is from a nickelodeon show. The subject matter is split up and splattered all over the pages, which actually distracts from the wealth of information presented. I have given this low rating not based on the information I'm the book but due to the layout, horrible artwork, and lack-luster presentation of the subject matter (appearing cartoonish and unimportant). I feel due to...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 generally read this book once or twice a week just before their bedtime to keep their awesome, developing minds focused on the wonders found in the world of science and discovery. It is a great balance to the Bible a...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 withhol...more
view 1 comment
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 again.
It turn...more
It turn...more
Besides being a good read (well paced and loaded with interesting stuff)it is also a good introduction to the general knowledge we need in order to get a picture of the world we live in.
Touching upon the various sciences, the way they developed and how we know what we know, it peaks one's curiosity and gives a shove in the direction of wanting to know more.
The more we know about our world the more we love it (paraphrased "Him who knows nothing - loves nothing. Who said that?)
Touching upon the various sciences, the way they developed and how we know what we know, it peaks one's curiosity and gives a shove in the direction of wanting to know more.
The more we know about our world the more we love it (paraphrased "Him who knows nothing - loves nothing. Who said that?)
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."
Fascinating and random. Just like the last five years of my life. Lots of fruit, no branches to hang it on. And who invented edible underwear? What about the propeller beanie? What's the difference between rope-a-dope and soap-on-a-rope? Can two blindfolded people heading in opposite directions both experience a tailwind?
Oct 06, 2010
Becky
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction,
age-middle-school
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?!)).
Oct 31, 2011
Kendall
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction-and-memoir
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.
A history of everything by someone that is a great researcher and writes things from a slant not common to the persons whom normally write about such things. So, it was sort of an anti-history, or alternate history, of things I learned in years past. I couldn't put it down.
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 slightly oblong? Or...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 slightly oblong? Or...more
Love, love, love this book! Never get sick of reading it. Shows the struggles behind the great discoveries and innovations , but also how much there is still to learn. Really illustrates to me the miracle and fragility of life.
This is an easy read of many topics, many of which we should know about but don't. It reviews how insignificant we are in the eyes of the 'universe', but ignores the value of humans in the more eternal realm.
Fantastic! Funny, to the point description of every time period through history. Makes science the most fun thing in the world!!! I would recommend it to anyone and everyone between the ages of 8 and 108
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!
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 everything from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, Bill Bryso...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 everything from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, Bill Bryso...more
Another excellent book by Bryson. This book talks about all sorts of science related topics, in a kid-friendly way, with excellent illustrations. I am putting it into my classroom library.
Nov 16, 2011
Chris Stalnaker
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-with-owen
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.
I love how the author included lots and lots of important facts, but also made everything interesting for the reader with fun examples, too!
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.
It's really a science book, the history of science, rather than just history. Very much a kid's book. Not what I was looking for at all, but my kids are enjoying it.
Really funny and you'll learn a lot. Even if i suspect, he over exaggerates some facts due to the fun...
Wow, lots of information presented in an easy to read format. Why couldn't my classes in HS be like this?
This was an informative and reasonably fun read. One read of this book though, is enough.
The kids version of what is my favorite non-fiction book of all time.
1 like · like · see review
Great presentation for students.
Absolutely loved it!
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
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.
In The Lost Continent, Bill Bryson's hilarious first t...more
More about Bill Bryson...
In The Lost Continent, Bill Bryson's hilarious first t...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“For you to be here now, trillions of drifting atoms had somehow to assemble in an intricate and curiously obliging manner to create you.”
—
4 people liked it
“We have a universe. It is a place of most wondrous and gratifying possibility, and beautiful, too. And it was all done in about the time it takes to make a sandwich.”
—
3 people liked it
More quotes…
