- Hardcover: 176 pages
- Publisher: Doubleday Childrens (2 Oct 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0385614802
- ISBN-13: 978-0385614801
- Product Dimensions: 28.4 x 21.8 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 187,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Book Description
A new edition of Bill Byson's worldwide bestseller A Short History of Nearly Everything abridged and adapted for children. With full colour illustrations and photographs.
Product Description
Bill's own fascination with science began with a battered old schoolbook he had when he was about ten or eleven years old in America. It had an illustration that captivated him - a cutaway diagram showing Earth's interior as it would look if you cut into it with a large knife and carefully 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 of it all is a glowing sphere of iron and nickel, which is as hot as the surface of the Sun, according to the caption. And he very clearly remembers thinking: "How do they know that?"
Bill's story-telling skill makes the "How?" and, just as importantly, the "Who?" of scientific discovery entertaining and accessible for all ages. In this exciting new edition for younger readers, he covers the wonder and mysteries of time and space, the frequently bizarre and often obsessive scientists and the methods they used, the crackpot theories which held sway for far too long, the extraordinary accidental discoveries which suddenly advanced whole areas of science when the people were actually looking for something else (or in the wrong direction) 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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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Brilliant! I got hooked onto this book having found it on a shelf whilst spending an hour in a waiting room. I had to buy one for my 8 year old son who needs encouragement to read. The two of us are going through astro-physics and not only enjoying it but actually understanding it as well.
Also to mention, the hardback is far better than the paperback; there are more photos and graphics which make the learning fun and understandable.
Also to mention, the hardback is far better than the paperback; there are more photos and graphics which make the learning fun and understandable.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a fan of a lot of Bill's works I'm always interested to see what he turns up with next. Here, in this abridged version, he answers questions that young readers have been asking for years, presenting them in easy to understand language. Add to this, quirky facts, a comprehensive breakdown and it's a great book for young readers and adults alike.
The only downside to this title is the ending of this offering, as it left me feeling quite low due to the bleak outlook. Still a good book for reference and one that will entertain which when backed up with a love of learning will make this a great addition to any young persons personal reference library.
The only downside to this title is the ending of this offering, as it left me feeling quite low due to the bleak outlook. Still a good book for reference and one that will entertain which when backed up with a love of learning will make this a great addition to any young persons personal reference library.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
We purchased this for 2 youngsters who are showing an interest in nearly everything and they love it. Well illustrated and well written it made an excellent Easter gift along with the Easter eggs!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Bill Bryson Book-A Really Short History of Nearly Everything
A Really Short History of Nearly Everything
I first saw this in a book store in Adelaide, Australia whilst out there visiting my son. And guess what .... Read more
I first saw this in a book store in Adelaide, Australia whilst out there visiting my son. And guess what .... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Julie
The most useful text book of all time
I loved the original, and always wanted a 'primer' to look up the facts I can't keep in my head. And here it is, in glroius colour and great language. Read more
Published 13 months ago by plan-ahead-mum
the best present this year
I bought this for my nephew at Christmas, he is 9 and a reluctant reader. He found the illustrations inviting and kept reading bits to people. Read more
Published 16 months ago by ali
errors and omissions
I purchased this book for a member of the family as a Christmas present. It was well received but after an hour or so I was informed that although that it says it was a History of... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Herrless
A Really Short History of Nearly Everything
My 9 yr old daughter is sponging this up and I'm in the queue to read it next!
Published on 4 Jan 2010 by Emma Nichol
A Really Short History of Nearly Everything
Excellent book, small amount of information about nearly everything! Certainly helps me help my grandchildren do their homework when they are staying with me!!! Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2009 by C. Piggot
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