I recently finished an excellent book by Bill Bryson, A Short History of Nearly Everything:
http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Nea ... 0767908171
As science books go, it's very approachable for the lay person (of which I am one). Some people have criticized the hard science, but nearly every chapter "freaked my gourd" for one reason or another.
It had the strange effect of making me feel both insignificant (against the backdrop of the universe) and special. Also, it makes you realize how much we don't know - especially in the physics dept. Perhaps Dr. Bussard will have a chapter in a future printing!
Superb, Easy Read
Superb, Easy Read
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