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Description
A Short History of Nearly EverythingBill Bryson is one of the world's most beloved and bestselling writers. In A Short History of Nearly Everything, he takes his ultimate journey into the most intriguing and consequential questions that science seeks to answer. It's a dazzling quest, the intellectual odyssey of a lifetime, as this insatiably curious writer attempts to understand everything that has transpired from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization. Or, as the author puts it, ..".
Bill Bryson is one of the world's most beloved and bestselling writers. In A Short History of Nearly Everything, he takes his ultimate journey-into the most intriguing and consequential questions that science seeks to answer. It's a dazzling quest, the intellectual odyssey of a lifetime, as this insatiably curious writer attempts to understand everything that has transpired from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization. Or, as the author puts it, ..".how we went from there being nothing at all to there being something, and then how a little of that something turned into us, and also what happened in between and since." This is, in short, a tall order. To that end, Bill Bryson apprenticed himself to a host of the world's most profound scientific minds, living and dead. His challenge is to take subjects like geology, chemisty, paleontology, astronomy, and particle physics and see if there isn't some way to render them comprehensible to people, like himself, made bored (or scared) stiff of science by school. His interest is not simply to discover what we know but to find out how we know it. How do we know what is in the center of the earth, thousands of miles beneath the surface? How can we know the extent and the composition of the universe, or what a black hole is? How can we know where the continents were 600 million years ago? How did anyone ever figure these things out? On his travels through space and time, Bill Bryson encounters a splendid gallery of the most fascinating, eccentric, competitive, and foolish personalities ever to ask a hard question. In their company, he undertakes a sometimes profound, sometimes funny, and always supremely clear and entertaining adventure in the realms of human knowledge, as only this superb writer can render it. Science has never been more involving, and the world we inhabit has never been fuller of wonder and delight.Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Broadway Books
Published: 05/06/2003
ISBN: 9780767908177
Pages: 560
Weight: 1.80lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.50w x 1.90d
Review Citations: Library Journal Prepub Alert 01/01/2003 pg. 72
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2003 pg. 517
Publishers Weekly 04/07/2003 pg. 59
BookPage 05/01/2003 pg. 5
Entertainment Weekly 05/09/2003 pg. 82
Booklist 04/15/2003 pg. 1426
New York Times 05/18/2003 pg. 42
USA Today 05/22/2003 pg. 1
Library Journal 05/15/2003 pg. 120
New York Times 06/01/2003 pg. 25
Discover 09/01/2003 pg. 78
Men's Journal 12/01/2003 pg. 54
Discover 01/01/2004 pg. 79
Library Journal 03/01/2004 pg. 40
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4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 638 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Forged Knives at a Stamped-Knife Price
Size: 18-Piece, Style: Traditional Handle Design
Purchased as a gift for a friend suffering with an old, rusted, chipped set of cheap big-box knives.
As far as I can tell, these are one-piece forged/milled knives with a full tang... no idea how Amazon gets them so cheap. I have a set of J.A. Henckels Four-Star that were 5x the price, and these knives are almost as nice in fitment and quality. Some of the grinds at the bolster aren't quite symmetrical, but nothing that functionally affects the knife. Not show-dogs, just old reliable mutts that get you where you need to be.
Knives have a good weight and balance, not too heavy but sit well in the hand and have a nice action. The edge out of the box is only average, and the chef's knife had a decent roll to the edge out of the box. However, they sharpen easily and can take a fine edge with a little work with the steel (no word on edge longevity yet, they don't cook that often).
The shears come apart for cleaning (which is nice), although I found it a little too unstable when opening them wide, the rivet is at 90* so when taking a big bite they have a tendency to come apart rather than scissor. Changing to a design that doesn't separate until they're fully open would make them much better.
The woodblock is pine, and had a distinct pine scent out of the box (I suppose this is an area where they saved money, I would pay a premium to get a bamboo block instead). The exterior was well-finished, but the interiors of the knife slots did have some rough spots and/or splinters from the milling. Nothing that stops it from working as intended, a little back and forth solved the majority of problems.
Friend hand washed them after receiving them, but left them damp. Water spots, but no rust on any of the blades, the steel had light surface rust that came off with a scrubby sponge and soap. Overall I remain optimistic they will stand up to the abuse of a forgetful cook.
Having bought expensive German steel, and now these, I daresay I would probably be unable to tell the difference between the two in the kitchen.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2015
★★★★★ 5
This is an inexpensive quality knife set!
Size: 18-Piece, Style: Traditional Handle Design, Size: 18-Piece, Style: Traditional Handle Design
I have been a Chef for 17 yrs. and from experience know you don't get quality in an inexpensive knife set. This AmazonBasics Premium set really impressed me. The knives I use and have at home are mixed matched because I like good hefty knives. My wife always rags on me that the knives look crappy, so I got on here and started reading reviews. I was not gonna spend alot of money on a set knowing that I have good knives already. Then I saw this set, and looked at the video.
I got them in TWO days, and when I opened the package I was expecting the block to be split, chipped, or have saw marks. As you can see the one I got was flawless. I then took out the chefs knife and smiled. Easily comparable to a 8" Zwilling JA Henckels Pro Traditional Chefs Knife. It has the same quality, heft, and balance. TRUST ME I KNOW!!!! Beautiful knife. The thickness of the blade is equal to my Victorinox Fibrox Chefs Knife and I paid $45. for that knife alone!!! This here is a quality product at a good price. Treat them with respect and they will last for YEARS. If your looking for a good complete set, a nice wedding gift, of just looking to replace the "crappy" set you have look no further.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2016
★★★★★ 5
Amazing for the price
Size: 9-Piece, Style: Traditional Handle Design
At a higher price they would have been 4 or 3 stars, but for $50 this is an insane deal. The steel is pretty good quality. It almost seems like it's hardened VG-10 but I think they would advertise that if it were so I'm guessing it's a cheaper stainless steel that just comes harder without being treated though I'm just speculating based on price. Anyways they're flat ground, take an edge easily, and hold it reasonably well. Nicer knives would certainly hold an edge longer but I'm pretty happy with them. The flat ground shape of the blade is actually ever so slightly convex as well, it's not too apparent in use but you can certainly see it in the reflection. The serration on the bread knife is the inverse of what I would prefer, rounded metal with points cut into it vs points extending from the blade with the rounded parts cut out. When the rounded parts are cut out it's easy to sharpen. When the points are cut out it's almost impossible to sharpen.
The handles are the downfall of the knives. They're not smoothly finished and while they look alright they feel like a cheaply cut (although very solid) piece of plastic which is exactly what they are. A little bit better finishing on the handles would really improve the knives.
The holding block serves it's purpose well. The sharpener is ok but below average, though the rough steel rod sharpeners just aren't great to begin with. Diamond coated rods are much better, though ceramic rod sharpeners are the best.
Overall I love the knives and I'm glad I bought them. For the price they're the best deal I've ever found, no question. I love that there is no logo on them, but I just don't like to see branding in general even if it's a premium brand. If you're buying this for the bread knife or the sharpener, don't, they're not good. If you want the look and feel of a $300+ knife set, don't buy this, you'll be disappointed. If you want a good quality knife set but aren't willing to spend $300+ then absolutely buy these, they're great.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2016
★★★★★ 5
Really decent knives
Size: 9-Piece, Style: Traditional Handle Design
Nice set of inexpensive knives and comfortable to use
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Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Great Cookware Best purchase
Color: Blue, Size: 6-Quart
I purchased mine back in 2021 and I absolutely love it, cooks the best stew ever
easy wash and cleanup. Also great for deep frying
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Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2026