Bill Bryson - A Short History of Nearly Everything
All those questions about science you always had but were afraid to ask. Bryson covers the very essence of mans physical make up in the tiny atom, right to the explorations by unlucky French explorers trying to measure the Andes. Scientists and non-scientists alike will enjoy this humorous trip through the world of physics, chemistry and biology in terms we can all understand.
Damn Gwil, you sound just like a freakin dust jacket!
I recently listened to an audio of Snow Crash. I loved it. The plot is pretty good, though thin at the end, and most of the characters are pretty well drawn. However, the real reason to read or listen is the sheer hilarity of the similes and the bizarre yet frighteningly plausible view of what I think is an alternate present day, or maybe alternate history. The chronology seems to work out with it being set in the 70's or 80's, but everything else points to a possible future maybe fifty years down the road. However, that is just one of the odd off-kilter things that makes the book so much fun!
Favorite quote (possibly paraphrased): "It was like putting on crampons and trying to walk through a room full of puppies!"
