57 pages • 1 hour read
A Short History of Nearly Everything
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
544
Book • Nonfiction
2000s
2003
Adult
16+ years
Super Short Summary
In A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson succinctly chronicles Earth's history, from the cosmos and Earth's size, through Einstein's theories and natural dangers, to life on Earth and its perseverance, concluding with the ice ages and human evolution, all by exploring major scientific discoveries and theories. The book discusses natural disasters, existential threats, and human evolution.
Informative
Humorous
Contemplative
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
413,566 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything offers an accessible and engaging science primer. Readers appreciate its humor and clarity, making complex topics understandable. Criticized for occasional oversimplification, it remains a popular pick for those curious about science and history. Overall, a highly readable and informative book.
Who Should Read A Short History of Nearly Everything?
A reader who enjoys A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson is curious about science and history, appreciates humor, and enjoys learning complex topics in an accessible way. Fans of Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time and Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens would find this book equally engaging and enlightening.
413,566 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
544
Book • Nonfiction
2000s
2003
Adult
16+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.