A Short History of Nearly Everything
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Prime members: New to Audible?Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Buy for $22.38
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
William Roberts
-
By:
-
Bill Bryson
About this listen
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse
- By: David Mitchell
- Narrated by: David Mitchell
- Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 750
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 656
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 645
Why is every film or tv programme a sequel or a remake? Why are people so f***ing hung up about swearing? Why do the asterisks in that sentence make it okay? Why do so many people want to stop other people doing things, and how can they be stopped from stopping them? These and many other questions trouble David Mitchell. Join him on a tour of the absurdities of modern life - from Ryanair to Richard III, Downton Abbey to phone etiquette, UKIP to hot dogs made of cats.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Good Book: Wrong Milieu
- By scott on 09-04-19
By: David Mitchell
-
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!
- By: Richard P. Feynman
- Narrated by: Raymond Todd
- Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 12,096
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 9,727
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 9,744
With his characteristic eyebrow-raising behavior, Richard P. Feynman once provoked the wife of a Princeton dean to remark, "Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman!" But the many scientific and personal achievements of this Nobel Prize-winning physicist are no laughing matter. Here, woven with his scintillating views on modern science, Feynman relates the defining moments of his accomplished life.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Inspiring book, HORRIBLE reader.
- By Charles Floading on 10-16-07
-
The House of Morgan
- An American Banking Dynasty and the Rise of Modern Finance
- By: Ron Chernow
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 34 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,378
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,929
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,905
A gripping history of banking and the booms and busts that shaped the world on both sides of the Atlantic, The House of Morgan traces the trajectory of the J. P.Morgan empire from its obscure beginnings in Victorian London to the crash of 1987. Ron Chernow paints a fascinating portrait of the private saga of the Morgans and the rarefied world of the American and British elite in which they moved. Based on extensive interviews and access to the family and business archives, The House of Morgan is an investigative masterpiece.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
The construction of the House of Morgan
- By Darwin8u on 10-22-18
By: Ron Chernow
-
The Bitcoin Standard
- The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking
- By: Saifedean Ammous
- Narrated by: James Fouhey
- Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,461
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3,712
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,682
When a pseudonymous programmer introduced “a new electronic cash system that’s fully peer-to-peer, with no trusted third party” to a small Online mailing list in 2008, very few paid attention. Ten years later, and against all odds, this upstart autonomous decentralized software offers an unstoppable and globally-accessible hard money alternative to modern central banks. The Bitcoin Standard analyzes the historical context to the rise of Bitcoin, the economic properties that have allowed it to grow quickly, and its likely economic, political, and social implications.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Less Bitcoin, more old Austrian Economics Vendetta
- By Brian Considine on 07-19-19
By: Saifedean Ammous
-
Pale Blue Dot
- A Vision of the Human Future in Space
- By: Carl Sagan
- Narrated by: Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan
- Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,997
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,758
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,750
In Cosmos, the late astronomer Carl Sagan cast his gaze over the magnificent mystery of the Universe and made it accessible to millions of people around the world. Now in this stunning sequel, Carl Sagan completes his revolutionary journey through space and time.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Audio Quality Choices
- By JR on 05-30-17
By: Carl Sagan
-
Why Nations Fail
- The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
- By: Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson
- Narrated by: Dan Woren
- Length: 17 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,605
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3,829
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,818
Brilliant and engagingly written, Why Nations Fail answers the question that has stumped the experts for centuries: Why are some nations rich and others poor, divided by wealth and poverty, health and sickness, food and famine?
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Pros and Cons of "Why Nations Fail"
- By Joshua Kim on 05-01-12
By: Daron Acemoglu, and others
-
Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse
- By: David Mitchell
- Narrated by: David Mitchell
- Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 750
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 656
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 645
Why is every film or tv programme a sequel or a remake? Why are people so f***ing hung up about swearing? Why do the asterisks in that sentence make it okay? Why do so many people want to stop other people doing things, and how can they be stopped from stopping them? These and many other questions trouble David Mitchell. Join him on a tour of the absurdities of modern life - from Ryanair to Richard III, Downton Abbey to phone etiquette, UKIP to hot dogs made of cats.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Good Book: Wrong Milieu
- By scott on 09-04-19
By: David Mitchell
-
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!
- By: Richard P. Feynman
- Narrated by: Raymond Todd
- Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 12,096
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 9,727
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 9,744
With his characteristic eyebrow-raising behavior, Richard P. Feynman once provoked the wife of a Princeton dean to remark, "Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman!" But the many scientific and personal achievements of this Nobel Prize-winning physicist are no laughing matter. Here, woven with his scintillating views on modern science, Feynman relates the defining moments of his accomplished life.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Inspiring book, HORRIBLE reader.
- By Charles Floading on 10-16-07
-
The House of Morgan
- An American Banking Dynasty and the Rise of Modern Finance
- By: Ron Chernow
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 34 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,378
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,929
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,905
A gripping history of banking and the booms and busts that shaped the world on both sides of the Atlantic, The House of Morgan traces the trajectory of the J. P.Morgan empire from its obscure beginnings in Victorian London to the crash of 1987. Ron Chernow paints a fascinating portrait of the private saga of the Morgans and the rarefied world of the American and British elite in which they moved. Based on extensive interviews and access to the family and business archives, The House of Morgan is an investigative masterpiece.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
The construction of the House of Morgan
- By Darwin8u on 10-22-18
By: Ron Chernow
-
The Bitcoin Standard
- The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking
- By: Saifedean Ammous
- Narrated by: James Fouhey
- Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,461
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3,712
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,682
When a pseudonymous programmer introduced “a new electronic cash system that’s fully peer-to-peer, with no trusted third party” to a small Online mailing list in 2008, very few paid attention. Ten years later, and against all odds, this upstart autonomous decentralized software offers an unstoppable and globally-accessible hard money alternative to modern central banks. The Bitcoin Standard analyzes the historical context to the rise of Bitcoin, the economic properties that have allowed it to grow quickly, and its likely economic, political, and social implications.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Less Bitcoin, more old Austrian Economics Vendetta
- By Brian Considine on 07-19-19
By: Saifedean Ammous
-
Pale Blue Dot
- A Vision of the Human Future in Space
- By: Carl Sagan
- Narrated by: Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan
- Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,997
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,758
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,750
In Cosmos, the late astronomer Carl Sagan cast his gaze over the magnificent mystery of the Universe and made it accessible to millions of people around the world. Now in this stunning sequel, Carl Sagan completes his revolutionary journey through space and time.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Audio Quality Choices
- By JR on 05-30-17
By: Carl Sagan
-
Why Nations Fail
- The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
- By: Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson
- Narrated by: Dan Woren
- Length: 17 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,605
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3,829
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,818
Brilliant and engagingly written, Why Nations Fail answers the question that has stumped the experts for centuries: Why are some nations rich and others poor, divided by wealth and poverty, health and sickness, food and famine?
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Pros and Cons of "Why Nations Fail"
- By Joshua Kim on 05-01-12
By: Daron Acemoglu, and others
Editorial reviews
Critic reviews
"To read Bryson is to travel with a memoirist gifted with wry observation and keen insight that shed new light on things we mistake for commonplace. To accompany the author as he travels with the likes of Charles Darwin on the Beagle, Albert Einstein or Isaac Newton is a trip worth taking." (Publishers Weekly)
"Stylish [and] stunningly accurate prose....Brims with strange and amazing facts...destined to become a modern classic of science writing." (The New York Times)
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
Made in America
- By: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: William Roberts
- Length: 18 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,554
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,284
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,282
In Made in America, Bryson de-mythologizes his native land, explaining how a dusty hamlet with neither woods nor holly became Hollywood, how the Wild West wasn't won, why Americans say 'lootenant' and 'Toosday', how Americans were eating junk food long before the word itself was cooked up, as well as exposing the true origins of the G-string, the original $64,000 question, and Dr Kellogg of cornflakes fame.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Bryson Not Reading Makes For a Rare Fail
- By John on 02-28-14
By: Bill Bryson
-
A Short History of Nearly Everything
- By: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Richard Matthews
- Length: 18 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 28,095
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 21,355
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 21,252
Bill Bryson has been an enormously popular author both for his travel books and for his books on the English language. Now, this beloved comic genius turns his attention to science. Although he doesn't know anything about the subject (at first), he is eager to learn, and takes information that he gets from the world's leading experts and explains it to us in a way that makes it exciting and relevant.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The Only Book I reread imediatley after reading
- By Andrew on 11-09-09
By: Bill Bryson
-
Chemistry and Our Universe
- How It All Works
- By: Ron B. Davis, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Ron B. Davis
- Length: 30 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 529
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 419
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 415
Chemistry and Our Universe: How It All Works is your in-depth introduction to this vital field, taught through 60 engaging half-hour lectures that are suitable for any background or none at all. Covering a year’s worth of introductory general chemistry at the college level, plus intriguing topics that are rarely discussed in the classroom, this amazingly comprehensive course requires nothing more advanced than high-school math. Your guide is Professor Ron B. Davis, Jr., a research chemist and award-winning teacher at Georgetown University.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Great Professor, Hard to Follow.
- By Jen on 05-14-19
By: Ron B. Davis, and others
-
The Beginning of Infinity
- Explanations That Transform the World
- By: David Deutsch
- Narrated by: Walter Dixon
- Length: 20 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,736
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,471
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,454
A bold and all-embracing exploration of the nature and progress of knowledge from one of today's great thinkers. Throughout history, mankind has struggled to understand life's mysteries, from the mundane to the seemingly miraculous. In this important new book, David Deutsch, an award-winning pioneer in the field of quantum computation, argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Worthwhile if you have the patience
- By Scott Feuless on 08-12-19
By: David Deutsch
-
Guns, Germs and Steel
- The Fate of Human Societies
- By: Jared Diamond
- Narrated by: Doug Ordunio
- Length: 16 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 12,445
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 10,458
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 10,414
Having done field work in New Guinea for more than 30 years, Jared Diamond presents the geographical and ecological factors that have shaped the modern world. From the viewpoint of an evolutionary biologist, he highlights the broadest movements both literal and conceptual on every continent since the Ice Age, and examines societal advances such as writing, religion, government, and technology.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Compelling pre-history and emergent history
- By Doug on 08-25-11
By: Jared Diamond
-
The Art of War
- By: Sun Tzu
- Narrated by: Aidan Gillen
- Length: 1 hr and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 42,173
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 34,948
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 34,529
The 13 chapters of The Art of War, each devoted to one aspect of warfare, were compiled by the high-ranking Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher Sun-Tzu. In spite of its battlefield specificity, The Art of War has found new life in the modern age, with leaders in fields as wide and far-reaching as world politics, human psychology, and corporate strategy finding valuable insight in its timeworn words.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The actual book The Art of War, not a commentary
- By Nemo71 on 12-31-19
By: Sun Tzu
-
Made in America
- By: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: William Roberts
- Length: 18 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,554
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,284
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,282
In Made in America, Bryson de-mythologizes his native land, explaining how a dusty hamlet with neither woods nor holly became Hollywood, how the Wild West wasn't won, why Americans say 'lootenant' and 'Toosday', how Americans were eating junk food long before the word itself was cooked up, as well as exposing the true origins of the G-string, the original $64,000 question, and Dr Kellogg of cornflakes fame.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Bryson Not Reading Makes For a Rare Fail
- By John on 02-28-14
By: Bill Bryson
-
A Short History of Nearly Everything
- By: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Richard Matthews
- Length: 18 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 28,095
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 21,355
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 21,252
Bill Bryson has been an enormously popular author both for his travel books and for his books on the English language. Now, this beloved comic genius turns his attention to science. Although he doesn't know anything about the subject (at first), he is eager to learn, and takes information that he gets from the world's leading experts and explains it to us in a way that makes it exciting and relevant.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The Only Book I reread imediatley after reading
- By Andrew on 11-09-09
By: Bill Bryson
-
Chemistry and Our Universe
- How It All Works
- By: Ron B. Davis, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Ron B. Davis
- Length: 30 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 529
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 419
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 415
Chemistry and Our Universe: How It All Works is your in-depth introduction to this vital field, taught through 60 engaging half-hour lectures that are suitable for any background or none at all. Covering a year’s worth of introductory general chemistry at the college level, plus intriguing topics that are rarely discussed in the classroom, this amazingly comprehensive course requires nothing more advanced than high-school math. Your guide is Professor Ron B. Davis, Jr., a research chemist and award-winning teacher at Georgetown University.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Great Professor, Hard to Follow.
- By Jen on 05-14-19
By: Ron B. Davis, and others
-
The Beginning of Infinity
- Explanations That Transform the World
- By: David Deutsch
- Narrated by: Walter Dixon
- Length: 20 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,736
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,471
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,454
A bold and all-embracing exploration of the nature and progress of knowledge from one of today's great thinkers. Throughout history, mankind has struggled to understand life's mysteries, from the mundane to the seemingly miraculous. In this important new book, David Deutsch, an award-winning pioneer in the field of quantum computation, argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Worthwhile if you have the patience
- By Scott Feuless on 08-12-19
By: David Deutsch
-
Guns, Germs and Steel
- The Fate of Human Societies
- By: Jared Diamond
- Narrated by: Doug Ordunio
- Length: 16 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 12,445
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 10,458
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 10,414
Having done field work in New Guinea for more than 30 years, Jared Diamond presents the geographical and ecological factors that have shaped the modern world. From the viewpoint of an evolutionary biologist, he highlights the broadest movements both literal and conceptual on every continent since the Ice Age, and examines societal advances such as writing, religion, government, and technology.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Compelling pre-history and emergent history
- By Doug on 08-25-11
By: Jared Diamond
-
The Art of War
- By: Sun Tzu
- Narrated by: Aidan Gillen
- Length: 1 hr and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 42,173
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 34,948
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 34,529
The 13 chapters of The Art of War, each devoted to one aspect of warfare, were compiled by the high-ranking Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher Sun-Tzu. In spite of its battlefield specificity, The Art of War has found new life in the modern age, with leaders in fields as wide and far-reaching as world politics, human psychology, and corporate strategy finding valuable insight in its timeworn words.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The actual book The Art of War, not a commentary
- By Nemo71 on 12-31-19
By: Sun Tzu
What listeners say about A Short History of Nearly Everything
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Philip
- 08-12-05
Good Read
What a great introduction to science. Bryson's great skill is to make a complicated subject enjoyable and easy to understand. Some of the most memorable moments in the book come from the stories of the various scientests detailed. A great read (listen!)
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Simon
- 06-14-05
A fascinating insight into (almost) everything...
A great listen and read well by William Roberts. Every chapter was packed full of amazing facts that made me just want to listen on. There were very few dull moments and the highlights more than easily out-weighed these. So much of the book has interested me and made me want to learn more on the many subjects covered in the book. You don't necessarily need any prior knowledge on the subjects and is spoken on a intermidiate level. The unabridged version is great, only I wish it went on for longer! I am anticipating another listen later this year - it's that good.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Kerrie
- 07-21-05
An incredible read (...listen)
I found it hard to get out of the car while listening to this book. Every part of it was fascinating. This was the first of my Audible books and it will be awfully hard to top. Bryson manages to delve into complex topics but still be funny. William Roberts is wonderful, very easy to listen to. He delivers Bryson's dry wit brilliantly. This book has made me want to learn more about 'nearly everything'. Topics which have the potential to be dull are exciting and intoxicating in this book. If you listen to nothing else, you really need to listen to this. I know I will listen to it many times over.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michael
- 07-16-14
great precursor to understand the universe
Would you consider the audio edition of A Short History of Nearly Everything to be better than the print version?
yes read and listened prefer to listen
What was one of the most memorable moments of A Short History of Nearly Everything?
too many to list
What about William Roberts’s performance did you like?
easy listening
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Did you know?
Any additional comments?
great starter for anyone wanting to know more about the world and universe
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- carolin ellwood
- 08-29-09
a short history of nearly everything
i enjoyed listening to this book so much...i wrote in the review space.
now that's really saying something!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jack
- 05-23-19
Great summary of everything
very interesting content.
well read and engaging
last three chapter was boring for me personally
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ian
- 02-15-14
An amazing blend of history and scientific facts
What did you love best about A Short History of Nearly Everything?
I have just finished this book and I am about to listen to it for a second time which I have never done with a previous book. So many interesting facts and figures that they don't all sink in the first time. For anybody with even a passing interest in science and global warming this is a must read. William Roberts breezy style of reading is just right to keep the listener interested through what is quite complicated subject matter in places. I wish my science teachers at school had made the subjects this interesting.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Christopher
- 06-17-05
Great
It's long, but worth it. Very interesting.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jon White
- 02-13-18
Enjoyable Knowledge
Now slightly dated, but an enjoyable wealth of fascinating information, Bill Bryson takes you on his journey to discover how incredible it is to be part of this universe.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 07-23-20
Just excellent
The narration is brilliant, the story is profound and moving. Everyone should read this as a minimum
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!