A Short History of Nearly Everything

Bryson takes the reader through the history of the universe to this day, as far as we understand it (or understood it in 2003). On the way, he discusses topics as diverse as cosmology, astronomy, biochemistry, particle physics, paleoanthropology, archaeology, anthropology, evolutionary biology and meteorology in layman's terms.

I was especially struck by how little we know about so many things, not least about our own bodies and the abundant life around us.

Engaging, educational, lucid and entertaining.