This book is fantastic for people like me, who has a big awe for the natural sciences, but knows way to little about them. Bryson does two things really(!) well in this book. Everyone has an interesting story, and he uses these to their best effect when describing the scientists. In that way, it's not only easier to remember them, it's very enjoyable reading about them. (Though an argument could be made against reducing people to their quirks.) The other thing he does really, really well, is making a coherent narrative where there isn't necessarily one to begin with. By doing this in both a small level (indivdual chapters) a and a big one (the entire book), it feels more like a proper journey through (nearly) all that we know and how we know about it.

The book is already a bit dated, but I am sure there will be updated editions of it, if there aren't already.