A Short History of Nearly Everything begins with an exploration into the origins of our universe. Author Bill Bryson first attempts to wrestle with the enormity of the Big Bang theory. Bryson points out how all of our universe emerged from an almost unimaginably tiny point. From there, Bryson paints a picture of the cosmos and everything within it. He describes in detail how transformative the Big Bang was. Additionally, key figures in the field of astronomy and physics, like Edwin Hubble and Albert Einstein, are introduced and talked about in depth. Bryson tells stories of each man and emphasizes their scientific contributions and their personal contributions to the people they loved and worked with.
In the following section of the novel, Bryson narrows his focus on Earth itself. He emphasizes how unique and constantly changing it is and discusses its formation, its composition, and how the planet remains stable (and is able to evolve). Bryson pays particular attention to tectonic plates, the science behind earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the ways that have shaped Earth's surface over time. He once again emphasizes the beauty of Earth and how quickly it is able to change.
The next section of the book delves into the origins, evolution, and diversity of life. The emergence of life, from single-celled organisms to the countless species that exist on Earth today, is shown to be miraculous. Bryson then navigates the intricacies of DNA, cells, and genetics, all of which make life possible. To illustrate his point, Bryson tells the story of species that have been extinct for quite a while, especially dinosaurs, which provide a glimpse into Earth's past through fossil records.
Finally, Bryson explores humanity's own story. He shows how humans have evolved and, eventually, triumphed against seemingly all odds. Bryson connects stories from our early ancestors to modern-day humans and shows how similar we still are across different time periods. The book also celebrates our humanity's innate curiosity and shows how that curiosity has resulted in tremendous discoveries.
