Category Archives: Reviews

This is a remarkable book in two ways. It’s a very clear, comprehensive summary and explanation of our current understanding across a wide range of scientific subjects. It’s also the only science book I’ve ever read with almost no illustrations or equations.

In his introduction Bryson complains that he could not get interested in science at school because all the text books were dull. Admittedly I’m a few years younger, which might make a difference, but I was exposed from an early age to a vast array of well-written and beautifully-illustrated books on a range of science subjects. The conclusion is simple: unlike most who get interested in science, Bill Bryson is one of those people whose thinking is almost entirely verbal in nature, and he’s written a book for those of the same persuasion. And he’s done a very good job of it.

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