Book Review

Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything not only takes the reader from the foundations of modern scientific thinking through some of the most complex and controversial modern theories in science, it also introduces the reader to the people behind the science and the personal dramas that have, throughout history, been part of the scientific process. It is enthusiastic about scientific enquiry yet appropriately skeptical; it explains difficult concepts clearly yet does not "dummy-down" the complexities of many scientific ideas; it is, in short, a fun and informative read.

Bryson begins the book with the development of cosmological theories about the universe and explains how modern scientific methods are helping us see further into space and thus into our own past, moves from Newtonian physics to modern quantum mechanics, and documents the changes that have occurred on earth, both geologic and animistic with wide-eyed wonder. He recognizes that science is not about absolute proof but rather about inquiry, that ideas change as technology develops, and that personal biases do influence the process. He does not shy away from discussing controversies in science, including those regarding early human evolution (not whether or not it occurred, but how!) and modern climate change. He has done his homework, talked to experts, and synthesized at least a little bit of, well, nearly everything that is known into a clear and enjoyable read. In fact, the book is often uproariously funny when it brings to light the personal oddities of major scientific figures, the interpersonal dramas associated with scientific circles, and the ironic turns and personal paybacks that have sometimes occurred in the history of science. Such stories do not distract from the book, but rather make it, and science, breathe.

In sum, Bryson's book helps us understand the scientific process, which is about asking questions, trying to find the best ways to answer them, and being open to alternative ideas, and he has personally introduced us to the people who have made some of the largest contributions to scientific understanding. It is a long book, but it reads almost like a novel and is certainly time well spent.

~ Richmond Thompson, Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Bowdoin College