Audiobooks by Bill Bryson

A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0: The bestselling popular science book of the 21st Century, now fully updated

"Brought to you by Penguin. Journey through time and space with Bill Bryson in the best-selling popular science book of the 21st century, exploring the history of the Earth, the universe, and everything in between. NOW FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED IN THIS NEW ABRIDGED EDITION, READ BY THE AUTHOR. Bill Bryson describes himself as a reluctant traveller, but even when he stays at home, he can't contain his curiosity about the world around him. A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0 is the result of his quest to understand everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization – how we got from being nothing at all to what we are today. Now fully updated it explains among much else: - why Pluto is no longer a planet - how the number of moons in the solar system has more than doubled in 20 years - how scientists used advances in genetics to discover previously unknown species of early humans - why we still don't know what most of the universe is made of - how the little Higgs boson transformed physics This journey through time and space will inform a new generation of readers, young and old, as well as those who read this book on first publication with a new perspective based on what we know now. Written in his inimitable style, Bryson makes complex subjects fascinating and accessible to everyone with an interest in the world around them. A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0 reveals the world in a whole new way. 'Possibly the best scientific primer ever published.' Economist 'Truly impressive...It's hard to imagine a better rough guide to science.' Guardian © Bill Bryson 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Bill Bryson (Author), Bill Bryson (Narrator)

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A Really Short History of Words: An illustrated edition of the bestselling book about the English language

"Brought to you by Penguin. Adapted from Mother Tongue this stunningly illustrated book by Bill Bryson tells the story of English, from the first words ever spoken to the very first dictionaries. Perfect for ages 8 to 80! Every day, you do something incredible, and I bet you barely ever think about it: you speak. But have you ever wondered why the English language turned out like it did? If so, this is the book for you. It will also answer some VERY important questions . . . ? Why do we have the Vikings to thank for words like glitter and sky? ? Why did goodbye used to be god be with you? ? Why did LOL originally mean little old ladies? ? And why did no one know what majestic meant until Shakespeare came along? In this epic journey through words, rhymes - and even a few jokes - Bill Bryson will teach you how the English language came to be (clue: lots of invasions) and what makes it a rich and beautiful thing (lots of Shakespeare). Get ready . . . because the story of the English language is an EXTRAORDINARY one. © Bill Bryson 2024 (P) Penguin Audio 2024"

Bill Bryson (Author), Joe Jameson (Narrator)

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The Bill Bryson BBC Radio Collection: Divided by a Common Language, Journeys in English and more

"An anthology of BBC Radio documentaries featuring the bestselling author Bill Bryson is the world's funniest travel writer, and a master of comic observation. His hugely popular books, spanning topics from linguistics to Shakespeare to the human body, have sold over 16 million copies and been translated into 30 languages, and his 2003 science book A Short History of Nearly Everything won the prestigious Aventis and Descartes prizes. This sparkling collection features seven BBC Radio programmes that collectively illuminate his personal passions. In The Art of Travel, he talks to Annette Kobak about his memorable journeys around the USA; while in the 6-part series Divided by a Common Language, he scours American history in an attempt to find out why Americans talk and behave differently from British people. Journeys in English, based on his acclaimed book Mother Tongue, sees him romping through the history of Britain in six episodes, to reveal how English became the complex yet world-beating language it is today. Ramblings: Windsor Great Park finds Bill heading out across the royal park in the company of Clare Balding, as he discusses his love for walking and exploring. As a castaway on Desert Island Discs, he shares the soundtrack of his life with Sue Lawley; and in With Great Pleasure, he selects some of his favourite writing, including Evelyn Waugh's Scoop, a Hardy Boys classic and Three Men in a Boat. Finally, in Bookclub, he chats to James Naughtie and an audience of readers about A Short History of Nearly Everything. Contents The Art of Travel: Bill Bryson Divided by a Common Language Journeys in English Ramblings: Windsor Great Park with Bill Bryson Desert Island Discs: Bill Bryson With Great Pleasure: Bill Bryson Bookclub: Bill Bryson Production credits The Art of Travel: Bill Bryson Presented by Annette Kobak Produced by Kate McAII First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27 January 1991 Divided by a Common Language Presented by Bill Bryson Produced by Brian King First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 July-2 September 1995 Journeys in English Written and presented by Bill Bryson Produced by Brian King First broadcast as Mother Tongue on BBC Radio 4, 13 December 1997-17 January 1998 Ramblings: Windsor Great Park with Bill Bryson Presented by Clare Balding Produced by Lucy Lunt First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 September 2015 Desert Island Discs: Bill Bryson Presented by Sue Lawley Produced by Angie Nehring First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 January 1999 With Great Pleasure: Bill Bryson Readers: Kerry Shale and Bill Wallis Produced by Mary Ward-Lowery First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 September 1999 Bookclub: Bill Bryson Presented by James Naughtie Produced by Dymphna Flynn First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 February 2005 ©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Bill Bryson (Author), Bill Bryson (Narrator)

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[Romanian] - Însemnări de pe o insulă mică

"După o şedere de mai bine de douăzeci de ani în Marea Britanie şi înainte de a se întoarce în Statele Unite împreună cu familia, Bill Bryson porneşte într-o călătorie de rămas-bun, un fel de tur al insulei care i-a fost atîta vreme cămin. Folosind mijloacele de transport în comun şi făcînd drumeţii ori de cîte ori i se iveşte ocazia, autorul parcurge un lung şi întortocheat traseu ce începe în Dover, locul în care a pus pentru prima dată piciorul în Marea Britanie, şi ajunge pînă la John O’Groats, capul cel mai nordic al insulei. Marile oraşe, dar şi satele şi cătunele pitoreşti, trecutul evocat nostalgic-ironic şi prezentul ale cărui metehne sînt dezvăluite cu mult umor, peisajele spectaculoase şi întîlnirile cu inşi dintre cei mai diverşi, vînzători, clienţi ai puburilor şi hotelurilor ori tovarăşi de drum, compun experienţa intimă a unei Britanii cotidiene, cu oameni care se plîng rareori şi sînt încîntaţi de plăceri mărunte precum o ceaşcă de ceai şi cîţiva biscuiţi. „O carte pe care nu ar trebui să o citeşti în public, ca nu cumva să izbucneşti în hohote nestăpînite de rîs.” (The Times) „Delectabil este că e tot atîta Bryson în carte cît e Marea Britanie.” (Sunday Telegraph)"

Bill Bryson (Author), Vlad Robas (Narrator)

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[Romanian] - Continentul uitat. America micilor oraşe

"După ce a petrecut zece ani în Anglia, Bill Bryson vrea să-şi rememoreze copilăria, aşa că pleacă din locul în care s-a născut, Des Moines, Iowa, într-o călătorie prin 38 dintre statele americane, pe care o documentează cu mult umor. Autorul speră să se reîntîlnească cu peisajele idilice ale copilăriei sale, însă găseşte lanuri nesfîrşite de porumb, benzinării, moteluri şi localuri care arată peste tot aproape la fel şi sunt populate de oameni care seamănă uimitor de mult unul cu altul. Un jurnal de călătorie despre o lume mai puţin cunoscută, un amestec imprevizibil de kitsch şi frumuseţe, cartea lui Bill Bryson combină descrieri ale vieţii din micile oraşe în care ajunge autorul cu povestiri despre tinereţea lui şi despre America şi americani, toate însoţite de comentariile lui sarcastice inegalabile."

Bill Bryson (Author), Vlad Robas (Narrator)

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[Romanian] - Drumul către Little Dribbling

"Cîştigător al National Geographic Traveller Reader Award pentru cea mai bună carte de călătorie a anului 2016 După succesul Însemnărilor de pe o insulă mică, Bill Bryson porneşte într-o nouă călătorie de explorare a Marii Britanii, de data aceasta de-a lungul „Liniei Bryson”, un traseu imaginar stabilit chiar de el între punctele cele mai îndepărtate ale insulei. Cu mult umor, cu ironie tonică şi adesea cu melancolia pe care numai un îndrăgostit de Marea Britanie o poate resimţi, autorul ne conduce prin fermecătoare peisaje rurale, zone urbane prospere sau sordide şi locuri ale memoriei colective adesea căzute în uitare. În ciuda neajunsurilor şi a ciudăţeniilor ei, Bryson preferă să locuiască pe ploioasa insulă. Şi nu doar pentru ceaiul cu lapte şi o zi liberă în plus de Crăciun. „Au fost momente în care am izbucnit în rîs în public citind cartea... Ca întotdeauna, Bryson e nemaipomenit de hazliu.” (The London Times) „După cum sugerează titlul Drumul către Little Dribbling, Bryson rămîne devotat toponimelor excentrice ale Marii Britanii, precum şi la fel de excentricelor sale distracţii.” (The New York Times Book Review) „Farmecul şi spiritul lui Bryson continuă să emane din paginile sale.” (Daily Mail)"

Bill Bryson (Author), Vlad Robas (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Romanian] - Despre toate, pe scurt. De la Big Bang la ADN

"Bestseller international Volumul Despre toate, pe scurt a fost distins cu Aventis Prize si Descartes Science Communication Prize. O istorie ingenioasa si antrenanta a universului, Pamintului, vietii si omului, o poveste care merge de la Big Bang, cind nu eram nimic, pina la aparitia civilizatiei si la noi, cei de astazi. Bill Bryson pleaca de la propria experienta de elev care, intrigat de o imagine a Pamintului in sectiune, citeste manualul de stiinte ca sa gaseasca aici un amestec de lucruri de neinteles – mai putin raspunsurile la ceea ce ii stirnise curiozitatea, inclusiv cum si de unde stim toate aceste lucruri. Despre toate, pe scurt e rodul acestor cautari, o aventura fascinanta pe tarimul cunoasterii umane, relatata asa cum numai Bryson stie sa o faca si care ne dezvaluie lumea intr-un mod in care cei mai multi dintre noi nu au vazut-o niciodata inainte. „Cu adevarat impresionant. E greu de imaginat o introducere mai buna in stiinta.” (John Waller, The Guardian) „Cartea pe care am cautat-o toata viata mea. O multime de informatii, povesti uimitoare si personalitati extraordinare.” (Christopher Matthew, Daily Mail)"

Bill Bryson (Author), Liviu Tanasoiu (Narrator)

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[Indonesian] - Misteri-Misteri Tentang Ruang dan Waktu

"TAHUKAH KAMU BAHWA . . . • Setiap atom dalam tubuh hampir pasti telah melewati beberapa bintang dan pernah menjadi bagian dari jutaan organisme dalam perjalanannya menjadi bagian dari dirimu? • Jika ukuran tubuhmu normal, kamu memiliki energi potensial yang cukup untuk meledak sedahsyat bom hidrogen? Apa yang telah terjadi dengan dinosaurus? Berapa besarkah jagat raya? Berapa beratkah bumi? Mengapa air laut asin? Apakah meteorit dapat menimpa kita? Berapakah ukuran sebuah atom? Bill Bryson menggali misteri-misteri tentang ruang dan waktu serta bagaimana, meski terkesan mustahil, kehidupan dapat hadir di planet luar biasa yang kita tinggali. Kini ia membagi temuan-temuannya dengan kita. Dalam buku yang sangat memikat ini, kamu akan berjumpa dengan beberapa ilmuwan aneh, teori-teori aneh yang menjadi perdebatan sampai lama sekali, juga beberapa penemuan tidak disengaja yang mengubah cara kita memahami sains. Bersiaplah membentangkan imajinasimu dan berselancarlah di jagat raya nan luas dan menakjubkan!"

Bill Bryson (Author), Loecy Soesilo (Narrator)

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A Really Short History of Nearly Everything

"Brought to you by Puffin. Adapted from A Short History of Nearly Everything, this stunningly illustrated book from the extraordinary Bill Bryson takes us from the Big Bang to the dawn of science, and everything in between. Perfect for ages 8 to 80. Ever wondered how we got from nothing to something? Or thought about how we can weigh the earth? Or wanted to reach the edge of the universe? Uncover the mysteries of time, space and life on earth in this extraordinary book - a journey from the centre of the planet to the dawn of the dinosaurs, and everything in between. And discover our own incredible journey, from single cell to civilisation, including the brilliant (and sometimes very bizarre) scientists who helped us find out the how and why. Reviews for A Short History of Nearly Everything: 'It's the sort of book I would have devoured as a teenager. It might well turn unsuspecting young readers into scientists.' Evening Standard 'I doubt that a better book for the layman about the findings of modern science has been written' Sunday Telegraph 'A thoroughly enjoyable, as well as educational, experience. Nobody who reads it will ever look at the world around them in the same way again' Daily Express 'The very book I have been looking for most of my life' Daily Mail © Bill Bryson 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020"

Bill Bryson (Author), Weruche Opia (Narrator)

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Icons of England

"Brought to you by Penguin This celebration of the English countryside does not only focus on the rolling green landscapes and magnificent monuments that set England apart from the rest of the world. Many of the contributors bring their own special touch, presenting a refreshingly eclectic variety of personal icons, from pub signs to seaside piers, from cattle grids to canal boats, and from village cricket to nimbies. First published as a lavish colour coffeetable book, this new expanded edition has double the original number of contributions from many celebrities including Bill Bryson, Michael Palin, Eric Clapton, Bryan Ferry, Sebastian Faulks, Kate Adie, Kevin Spacey, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Richard Mabey , Simon Jenkins, John Sergeant, Benjamin Zephaniah, Joan Bakewell, Antony Beevor, Libby Purves, Jonathan Dimbleby, and many more: and a new preface by HRH Prince Charles. © Bill Bryson 2011 (P) Penguin Audio 2020"

Bill Bryson (Author), Barnaby Edwards, Ben Eagle, David Rintoul, Homer Todiwala, Leda Hodgson, Sara Novak, Sara Poyzer, Terence Wilton (Narrator)

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The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes From a Small Island

"Twenty years ago, Bill Bryson went on a trip around Britain to celebrate the green and kindly island that had become his adopted country. The hilarious book that resulted, Notes from a Small Island, was taken to the nation’s heart and became the best-selling travel book ever, and was also voted in a BBC poll the book that best represents Britain. Now, to mark the twentieth anniversary of that modern classic, Bryson makes a brand-new journey around Britain to see what has changed. Following (but not too closely) a route he dubs the Bryson Line, from Bognor Regis to Cape Wrath, by way of places that many people never get to at all, Bryson sets out to rediscover the wondrously beautiful, magnificently eccentric, endearingly unique country that he thought he knew but doesn’t altogether recognize any more. Yet, despite Britain’s occasional failings and more or less eternal bewilderments, Bill Bryson is still pleased to call our rainy island home. And not just because of the cream teas, a noble history, and an extra day off at Christmas. Once again, with his matchless homing instinct for the funniest and quirkiest, his unerring eye for the idiotic, the endearing, the ridiculous and the scandalous, Bryson gives us an acute and perceptive insight into all that is best and worst about Britain today. Download includes accompanying PDF map of the Bryson Line Music written and performed by Richard Digance, inspired by The Road to Little Dribbling"

Bill Bryson (Author), Nathan Osgood (Narrator)

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At Home: A short history of private life

"Bill Bryson was struck one day by the thought that we devote a lot more time to studying the battles and wars of history than to considering what history really consists of: centuries of people quietly going about their daily business - eating, sleeping and merely endeavouring to get more comfortable. And that most of the key discoveries for humankind can be found in the very fabric of the houses in which we live.This inspired him to start a journey around his own house, an old rectory in Norfolk, wandering from room to room considering how the ordinary things in life came to be. Along the way he did a prodigious amount of research on the history of anything and everything, from architecture to electricity, from food preservation to epidemics, from the spice trade to the Eiffel Tower, from crinolines to toilets; and on the brilliant, creative and often eccentric minds behind them. And he discovered that, although there may seem to be nothing as unremarkable as our domestic lives, there is a huge amount of history, interest and excitement - and even a little danger - lurking in the corners of every home. Where A Short History of Nearly Everything was a sweeping panorama of the world, the universe and everything, At Home peers at private life through a microscope. Bryson applies the same irrepressible curiosity, irresistible wit, stylish prose and masterful storytelling that made A Short History of Nearly Everything one of the most lauded books of the last decade, and delivers one of the most entertaining and illuminating books ever written about the history of the way we live."

Bill Bryson (Author), Bill Bryson (Narrator)

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Audiobooks by Bill Bryson

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