Furthermore, I do agree with his assertion that if you look at the development of our planet and if we are truly the only "intelligent" life out there, then we have been EXTREMELY lucky and should not blow it. I read the original book more than 10 years ago ( A Short History of Nearly Everything), since then I've praised it endlessly and often referred to it as one of my favorite books. We generally read this book once or twice a week just before their bedtime to keep their awesome, developing minds focused on the wonders found in the world of science and discovery. Can't say as I blame him there; to wit, "reality TV" and the doltish emphasis in this society on how one looks or on how much money one makes rather than on what are we doing to our planet and what can I, as an individual, do about it! I find it difficult to stick with a book when every 2 pages it feels as if you're starting something new.

In the 20th century we entered a “century of science where many people wouldn’t understand anything and no one understand everything. Her lab books are kept in lead-lined boxes and those who wish to see them must put on protective clothing. Did you know you are alive, but are made up of substance that is not quite that, “troubling fact that if you were to pick yourself apart with tweezers, one atom at a time, you would produce a mound of fine atomic dust, none of which had ever been alive but all of which had once been you.

The value in this book is its survey of earth’s history (as a planet within the Milky Way) and humankind’s scientific advancements as well as the people responsible.

of the entire time it has been in existence, the actions we do or do not undertake will pretty much slam the book shut on "nearly everything"; thus, "a really short history" of it. Estimates range from three million to 200 million species, but it’s possible that as many as 97 per cent of the world’s plant and animal species may still await discovery. Finally, despite having read the grown-ups version, and quite a few other books on science history, this was a pleasure for me to read too. Een bijzonder aantrekkelijk geschreven verhaal waarin veel onderzoekers voor het voetlicht komen op zo'n manier dat ook hun persoonlijke situatie duidelijk wordt.Zo kun je er bijvoorbeeld achterkomen dat de opa van Darwin Josiah Wedgwood was van het bekende servies bedrijf Wedgwood. They really do appreciate it and, because of it, have made reading on their own a top priority rather than watching the "boob tube" or playing Wii. Se trata de un libro que efectivamente nos habla de casi todo en la historia del planeta y la humanidad, de forma sencilla y clara. He saw exhaust coming out of a vehicle this morning on the way to the bus stop and instantly understood what air pollution was and its harmful effect on our environment and, more important, on "the animals' environment, too" because,"what the heck," he reasoned, "they [the animals] have a right to a healthy environment, too! And discover our own incredible journey, from single cell to civilisation, including the brilliant (and sometimes very bizarre) scientists who helped us find out the how and why.

When I first read it at the age of 8, my love for science was ignited in a way that set my life on a fantastic course. You would be right, but what is 15 years when measured against, millenniums, or, actually, even millions of years. It was difficult getting them to concentrate on ideas that were new, overwhelming and difficult to grasp at the end of a day. Bryson also speaks about modern scientific views on human effects on the Earth's climate and livelihood of other species, and the magnitude of natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and the mass extinctions caused by some of these events. Furthermore, he discusses the possibility of the Earth being struck by a meteorite and reflects on human capabilities of spotting a meteor before it impacts the Earth, and the extensive damage that such an event would cause.Started reading this one with "the lads" after finishing "The Littlest Prince" in late August of last year.