Book review By catherine ousey

A Short History of Nearly Everything Bill Bryson Anchor Canada 2004

A departure from his usual travel books, Bill Bryson has attempted a look at the history of nearly every discipline in science. Witty, clear, and current, his writing explains some controversies in Physics, Biology,Geology and Cosmology for the non-scientist. His curiosity led him to research many questions in these sciences for three years. He spoke to many experts in many fields. The result is a readable and entertaining book. Bryson does not shy away from controversy, outlining some of the most contentious issues inscience in the past and today. He illuminates all sides to many questions and is not afraid to state that it may be too early to reach conclusions about some questions. But the evidence is all in on this book. I heartily recommend it. The section on evolution will be of particular interest to Humanists.