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[galactic_dev]

This book is definitely not a short history; it is only short for the fact that it covers nearly everything. However, I read it all with interest and learned a lot of popular science, from the big bang to radiocarbon dating to understanding how life works and the stories of how scientists came to understand what we now understand (and what we don't understand, which is even more interesting).

Bill Bryson is not laugh-out-loud funny, but he is entertaining and amusing and smart, which made this a fun read. And he also left me with an appreciation for the awesome confluence of mega-events that have resulted in life on earth and humans that really didn't have to happen. Thus, he encourages us to understand how precious our existence is and that we should take some responsibility for the continuation of life on earth.

Recommended.