Review: Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything is an ambitious and highly accessible exploration of the universe, life on Earth, and humanity’s place within it, written with his signature wit and curiosity. Rather than overwhelming readers with dense scientific jargon, Bryson takes complex subjects—from the Big Bang and the formation of the solar system to geology, biology, and the rise of civilization—and translates them into clear, engaging, and often humorous storytelling. What makes the book remarkable is not just the breadth of knowledge it covers, but the way Bryson humanizes science by focusing on the eccentricities, struggles, and discoveries of the scientists themselves, reminding us that knowledge is built through trial, error, and persistence. The narrative flows seamlessly across disciplines, showing the interconnectedness of everything, while also acknowledging the mysteries and unanswered questions that still fascinate scientists today. At once entertaining and educational, the book succeeds in igniting wonder about the natural world and inspires readers, even those who may have once feared science, to see it as a grand story full of curiosity, failure, and triumph. It’s a book that can make you laugh, think deeply, and marvel at the astonishing fact of existence itself.