All of science condensed with a sense of humour

Scientific knowledge is vast, so the book is not short. Bryson adds a sense of humour and finds funny anecdotes to keep the listener entertained. Often the people involved have a story worth telling that is more interesting than their scientific achievements and the most unlikely people made the biggest discoveries. The history and tortuous journey of science can make it more memorable and explained in simple terms makes it understandable.

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2 people found this helpful

excellent audiobook

You must pay attention and you will be rewarded. I learned a lot from the book. sometimes it is a little dry. but stay with it and you will wish for more.

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2 people found this helpful

Fantastic

A fantastic novel with outstanding coverage of topics. The narrator did a fantastic job and made all topics very easy to follow, while going into great depth.

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great

It is a great book, very well read. Would recommend to anyone wanting to have a good listen.

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Well done for a non-fiction book

I read this since it was the Editor's Extra from Audible Australia. I don't like reading non-fiction, but I am getting to appreciate having non-fiction read to me, hence the four stars. Bill Bryson is good at writing books for the likes of me, although this is the first of his that I have read. The narrator was good, especially doing well with the scientific names for things, but being from NZ I found myself repronouncing the name of the Takahe. I also purchased the Kindle edition so that I could check things like that in the written word.

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Love the book... but this narrator?

For me the narrator kills this version of a brilliant bit of general science written for the average person in the street. Obviously this all comes down to personal tastes, but the book just seems much more important in the Richard Matthews version.

Bryson's work itself - the book - really is a rollicking adventure through both time and space, and everything around and inside us. He does a marvellous job of making difficult topics manageable and impossible ones - at the very least - appreciable. Which is ultimately why it's so loved and lauded.

Just for me, the Matthews reading is much better

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What a story

Who would of knew that a science book could be so interesting! I listen to this book every night before bed. I just have to keep on listening to it. I actually understand, well every thing now.

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Enjoyable and Informative

A fantastic way to get an overview of many of the discoveries and fascinating people who have contributed to our understanding of life on Earth thus far.

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Elucidating!

It really is a brief history of, if not everything, a whole lot of things.

Its the type of work that covers enough to be educating, but not boring. Especially good as a spring board for your own studies.

I'll likely listen to this multiple times.

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Fantastic! Must Read!

A definite must read! Super interesting and I enjoyed the Australian accents very much! :) 10/10

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