If you haven’t read it already, I highly recommend A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson.
I’ve been a huge fan of Bryson’s travelogues for years, so when he wrote a book about the history of everything, I bought it immediately.
I bought it with disregard towards my normal lack of science interest or understanding, assuming that Bryson’s writing style would pull me through.
I read the first few pages, then having not been pulled into the book, put it back on my bookshelf.
It languished there for days and days and weeks and months.
Until I had a job at a construction company where I found myself with nothing to do but read.
Seeing A Short History of Nearly Everything on my shelf, I decided to give it another chance. And found myself enthralled.
I would take passages and type them into my daily email exchanges with Skye. I’d bring up facts at parties and incessantly bother my friends with them.
I was astounded I could have ever found this book boring – for now it seemed more obsessively intriguing than plain interesting.
So though I’m far from home, visiting my grandma in St. Louis, so unable to provide photographs of it appropriately placed on a bunsen burner or next to a beaker, I’m recommending it anyway.
Which is probably for the best, as it’d be silly to purchase a bunsen burner or beaker for said photo shoot.
But try reading it – and if I can make a suggestion, give it more than the first ten pages to get you interested – it’ll be worth it.
I’m just as fun at parties as I sound,
Megan
A Short History Of Nearly Everything
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I will not read it until I see pictures of the tome with bunsen burners and beakers. Preferably with science like vapor and colorful liquids bursting everywhere.
Man, and I was gonna use my Christmas money to buy an iPad.
Well, you gotta keep the readers happy…
Are you kidding? You would sooo be at the top of my party list. If we knew each other in real life that is. Or if I ever have a virtual party. Ooo good idea.
I think I’d rock a virtual party. It’s just kind of a dork at real parties.
But I can fake non-dorkiness online.
It’s a gift.
(Well, it’s more that people pretend not to notice my awkwardness online. But that’s the same thing, right?)
It does sound interesting but I do so love a book that I can get into right away!
Well, I did get into it right away the second time – so maybe I’m just slow and you’ll get into it right away!
Did he also write “Notes from a Small Island”? I tried reading that one and just couldn’t get through it. Maybe I should have given it more than 10 pages. But I’m willing to take a chance on “A Short History…” – I’m a geek for science books. Thanks for the recommendation!
Yeah – thought that’s my least favorite of any of his travelogues, so if you’re going to judge him, definitely read A Walk in the Woods or In A Sunburned Country! Though if you like science books, this is definitely the one for you!
So if it’s your least favorite, then I’m not totally crazy, right? Thanks for recommending the other two, as well. I’ve got a sample of “A Short History” downloaded and waiting for me when I’m done with “Cold Comfort Farm” by Stella Gibbons (a novel well-worth a read, if you haven’t already done so).
I did the same thing, made it through the first pages then put it down. I’ve read all his travel books too, his new one is on my Christmas list. I was so desperate for a book the other day I just picked up A Walk in the Woods and re-read it. It was just as good the second time around. I’d use the library for Short History but they make you PAY here. Did you know that? It cost $75 per year. And the libraries are NOT interconnected. My $75 membership just ran out. You should feel very sorry for me now.
Um….what?
WHAT?!?!
You do realize that’s not a library, right?
That’s a bookstore that comes and steals your books.
I would definitely invite you to my party kiddo!
You say that now – but once I’ve eaten all your cheese and made awkward statements to all your friends you’ll bitterly regret this decision.
I live in the Lou! You should come visit me too.
I’ve never heard it called the Lou, but I love it – I’m definitely going to call it that from now on!
And, really, what’s up with the snow?
I’m holding all of you natives responsible, and I do not approve!
Yes… the snow… and FREEZING cold. Ugh! I don’t much approve either. I envy you because you get to leave. Ha, ha!
I know… I can’t wait for my flight tomorrow!
(See, now I’m going to be struck down for my joke and Northern VA will be covered in feet of snow for my return!)
Bill Bryson is worthy of your adoration. My friend Tracey wrote a review of one of his books a few years ago for the newspaper we work for, and he mailed her a handwritten thank-you letter. She was so psyched.
Hmm….now I need to become famous so I can get a handwritten note from him.
Sadly I fear killing a zombie is my only path to fame.
Oh how I love Bill Bryson. Have you read The Life And Times Of The Thunderbolt Kid? Amazing. Rich and I are dorky enough that we’ve gotten his travelogues on CD to listen while we . . . wait for it . . . travel. In the car to boring places.
We have Short History on our book shelf. Rich has read the entire thing AND listened to it on CD. I have done neither, but on your recommendation maybe I’ll give it a shot.
Um.. yeah I’ve read Thunderbolt Kid. I’ve read all of his books except the one on Shakespeare. And I actually check my used book store’s audio book section for his books all the time, but sadly they’re never there.
And you should read it – though it might make you think the world is about to end.
Though that could have just been me.
Love “A short history of nearly everything”, but then I do like to read about science and I just loved that he covered so many topics. Have to confess that I have read it a few times… why didn’t we have a book like that in school? Would have made much more fun.
I so often wish school classes had been taught using interesting books like this – wouldn’t that have been a totally different experience?
*Sigh*
Excuse me, I’m lost in idyllic school daydreams.
So, I hate reading and I LOATHE history, but I’ve long thought about reading this book.
Man – this book is clearly awesome if it’s drawing you in!
I sure do like bill bryson- I bet you do real well at trivial pursuit, huh?
Eh- I do okay, but am absolutely terrible at Sports & Leisure!
Silly Sports & Leisure.
Love Bryson! I will have to pick this book up!
It is funny how books hit us in different ways at different times.
I remember all those passages you shared with me. They made me want to read this book. Sadly, I’ve been too lazy to borrow it. That’s why we’re friends, right?
Yes – our shared laziness is one of our strongest bonds.
This is one of my favorite books. I feel like it’s an “everything” reference manual for those of us who are not PhD’s in Sub-particle physics. I love how Bill Bryson sees the world in his own unique way. And, while I don’t agree with his opinions on everything in this book – I still love it :0)