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|  | Author: Bill Bryson
Publisher: Broadway
List Price: $16.99
Buy Used: $3.18
as of 11/24/2009 17:06 CST details
You Save: $13.81 (81%)
New (46) Used (140) Collectible (6) from $3.18
Seller: ruedecatur
Rating:  711 reviews
Sales Rank: 381
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Pages: 560
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.2
ISBN: 076790818X
Dewey Decimal Number: 500
EAN: 9780767908184
ASIN: 076790818X
Publication Date: September 14, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Professional bubble-padded shipping! USPS Delivery Confirmation # (tracking) emailed to you via Amazon's new SHIPPING CONFIRMATION service! Paperback. Very nice covers. No marks. No spine creases. VERY GOOD!
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 21-25 of 711
 excellent general scientific overview August 21, 2009
Lee Brownfield (El Paso, Tx)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book of science (composed by a writer and not a scientist, finally) is an exellent overview of scientific knowledge as we know it today. It is written in a novel-type style that makes it very readable, even if you are not crazy about science. It cant be read at one sitting because the science and short histories of the people that discovered it are still very detailed. but the facts are presented well and the different branches of science and discovery that Bryson addresses are also related to each other so that you get this general idea that everything is connected and makes sense.
Enjoy.
 WRONG BOOK SENT August 19, 2009
Carol R. Sommers (New York New York)
0 out of 6 found this review helpful
THE BOOK I ORDERED IS THE ONE PICTURED (BLUE COVER).
THE BOOK RECEIVED, IS A LATER REWRITTEN EDITION.
NOT WHAT WAS SOLD TO ME AND NOT WHAT I RECEIVED
Fun and Interesting Read...If that's what you're into... July 30, 2009
C. Coleman (Atlanta)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm starting to see why more and more reviews begin with "This is what this book/product ISN'T."
If you're an avid fan of romance novels or scientific journals, you're not going to like this book.
This book ISN'T a science textbook. So, if you're a scientist or a genius in various fields of study like quantum physics, I'm not sure you're going to take a whole lot away from the experience of reading this book.
BUT, if you're someone who has an interest in a timeline of sorts from the inception of life all the way to 10 minutes ago - this is an entertaining, engaging, pleasurable read that provides a lot of information about a lot of things that a lot of people don't know a whole heck of a lot about.
With each scientific discovery, you'll learn a bit about the people who figured something out. At times, it may seem a bit tedious, but usually, the information about the discoverers isn't wasted information.
The book is a chronology of life and human exploration. There's plenty here to inspire you to break out your Google and do a bit more research on something you never knew.
And there's wit amongst the wisdom. Bryson is not the consumate humorist, but he's interesting and witty at times and he comes across very much as sort of a regular guy who has had the experiences of a lifetime and manages to find a great deal of humor in many of them. He's not egotistical, I'm just jealous of what he's gotten to do.
I'm pleased that this man, who clearly bit off more than he could chew when he decided to walk the Appalachian Trail, has managed to bite off something he could actually complete here. It's a pleasant read - a bit long, but worth it.
Required for AP Biology but FUN July 24, 2009
Ed from Nevada
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I read this after my son, who has to for AP Biology. I'm glad I did. It is a greatly readable book that makes science fun. I've found myself curious enough to look elsewhere for updates on some of the topics. Exactly what the Biology teacher had planned. This is a great synopsis of the vagaries of scientific investigation, and some of the great side stories can really entertain. My favorite is the janitor who read in his spare time, wrote a paper on planetary orbits, and was able to best all the professors of his day.
 Well researched with a good message but too much detail July 21, 2009
F. Hussain (Peoria Ilinois)
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
I am giving it 3 stars, because it is well researched. It is no easy task to tie together the discoveries of so many scientists into a 6-hour audiobook. I had some 'ah-ha' moments, but they were few and far between. If you are a casual science buff who likes to understand the big picture, and not necessarily every name, date, and minor story along the way, then this book is NOT for you.
Bryson speeds through hundreds of names and events, most of which you have never heard of, nor will ever hear of again. I wish there was more focus on the actual science and implications of the theories. The pace at which this book moves from one trivial anecdote/person to another is so fast that only those with photographic memories will be able to retain more than 10% after reading this book.
I understand the book has to have some general appeal to sell. Most people incorrectly equate quantity of facts with quality. While such tidbits may impress someone at a dinner party, they are more likely to be forgotten.
Showing reviews 21-25 of 711
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