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Gran Leon Books - A Really Short History of Nearly Everything
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List Price: N/A
Our Price: $39.95
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: Doubleday Canada
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Hardcover
EAN: 9780385666862
Format: Import
ISBN: 0385666861
Label: Doubleday Canada
Manufacturer: Doubleday Canada
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 176
Publication Date: 2008-10-28
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Release Date: 2008-10-28
Studio: Doubleday Canada
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Editorial Reviews:
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Bill Bryson’s own fascination with science began with a battered old school book he had when he was about ten or eleven years old. It had an illustration that captivated him–a diagram showing Earth’s interior as it would look if you cut into it with a large knife and removed about a quarter of its bulk. The idea of lots of startled cars and people falling off the edge of that sudden cliff (and 4,000 miles is a pretty long way to fall) was what grabbed him in the beginning, but gradually his attention turned to what the picture was trying to teach him: namely that Earth’s interior is made up of several different layers of materials, and at the very centre is a glowing sphere of iron and nickel,
as hot as the Sun’s surface, according to the caption. And he very clearly remembers thinking: “How do they know that?”
Bill’s storytelling skill makes the “How?” and, just as importantly, the “Who?” of scientific discovery entertaining and accessible for all ages. He covers the wonder and mystery of time and space, the frequently bizarre and often obsessive scientists and the methods they used, and the mind-boggling fact that, somehow, the universe exists and against all odds, life came to be on this wondrous planet we call home.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing!
Comment: Let me start by saying that this was one of the most interesting and enjoyable books I have ever read!
The author starts by explaining the beginning of the universe and he discusses it in a very intriguing and easy to understand way. The truly "astronomical" numbers are put into interesting analogies and you truly stand in awe at the information being presented. After this, the book diverts its attention to Earth, a topic which is just as fascinating as the first portion of the book. Bryson moves on to talk about early scientists and discoverers and how they determined the age of the Earth, the orbit of planets, and discovering various elements, among many other things. The next few chapters deal with some important scientists and their contributions as well as providing funny and sometimes strange stories about the scientists, some will make you laugh while others may even shock you. My favorite part of the book deals with the many chapters dealing with the origin of life on Earth and how modern living things came to be. Bryson details the theory of evolution in a clear and easily understood way.
Bryson presents all the material in a very objective way, including some areas that are up for debate; he presents the facts and figures as he is given instead of trying to sway your view to one side of the argument.
I can not praise this book enough, I think it will appeal to just about any audience. The book is mostly science oriented but is still largely open to those without any real background in the material being covered as Bryson explains things as if you have no prior knowledge of the subject at hand; despite the elementary approach to the topics, those with a firm background in science will no doubt learn many new and exciting things throughout the book.
Highly recommended!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Science And History Presented In An Entertaining Way
Comment: Bill Bryson has created a wonderfully informative book, A Short History of Nearly Everything. In it, he presents a large amount of scientific findings and history in a very entertaining fashion. This book made me laugh out loud many times. This is a great book for anyone, but particularly people who enjoy science. This is one of the best science books I have ever read. Schools should replace science textbooks with this book. It is unlike many other science books, because it is so entertaining. Bryson does not simply ramble on in a boring fashion about a boring science topic. Instead, he presents the information in a way that makes you care about it, and entertains you at the same time. You will never regret reading A Short History of Nearly Everything.
Customer Rating:
Summary: One of the best books that I have ever read
Comment: Bill Bryson has raked together a sampling of all the technical knowledge that we have. Some of the conclusions may be questionable, but questioning is what man does best. This is a book that everyone should read. I am reading the book for the second time and have two other copies that I am circulating among my friends.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Everyone should read or listen to this book
Comment: Anyone interested to know where we come from, how big is the universe is, how tiny is human history, how and where life "is", etc... must read this book.
Hands down, one of the greatest books in its category written by a funny author with the ability to make complex things pleasant and easy to grasp.
I suggest the complete audio CDs (17 hours). Started to read this book and the experience was somehow less interesting. Too many names are acknowledged throughout the book, I'd guess around 1000, and that makes it a bit hard to follow.
I intended to write a longer review but after seeing more than 640 reviews on Amazon alone with a rating average of above 4.6/5.0, I would suggest to just get the audio CD and listen to the whole book twice!
Kudos to Bill Bryson for this magnificent masterpiece.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Entertaining Journey Through the Universe
Comment: I got this book because I could not find the one I wanted. I was hoping I made the right decision. I have been really enjoying this book. Bryson explains Science in a way that makes it extremely interesting and understandable. I'm very glad I got took a chance on it.
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