As you may know, I’m currently traveling about three hours a day to Wiesbaden where Scholz & Volkmer is located. It’s amazing how many stuff you’re able to read on such trips – my last “week-portion” was a whole year-volume of Wired Magazine! Same goes for books: I’m devouring them, and have become a regular at Amazon. Amongst others, there’s this one special book I’d like to share: A short history of nearly everything” by Bill Bryson. It’s a science book, which covers everything from Big Bang to Atomic Age in 600 pages. Even if you’re not scientifically engaged (though you should be as a self-respecting geek g), it’s a really apalling read with truckloads of information. I’ve only got halfway through Stephen Hawking’s “Short history of time” and never liked the authorative title of Dietrich Schwanitz’ “Bildung”, but Mr. Bryson really knows how to combine facts with metaphors, anecdotes and personal storys. So, if you read one non-fiction book this year, buy this one :) (and for the lazy ones: the german version, which unfortunately nearly triples in price).
To give you a notion of the writing-style, here’s the very first lines from the book which already caught me: “Welcome. And congratulations. I am delighted that you could make it. Getting here wasn’t easy, I know. In fact, I suspect it was a little tougher than you realize. To begin with, for you to be here now trillions of drifting atoms had somehow to assemble in an intricate and curiously obliging manner to create you. It’s an arrangement so specialized and particular that is has never been tried before and will only exist this once. For the next many years (we hope) these tiny particles will uncomplainingly engage in all the billions of deft, co-operative efforts necessary to keep you intact and let you epxerience the supremely agreeable but generally under appreciated state known as existence.”