Perspective

Bryson is a popular author who has written bestsellers on many topics, including travel and nature. He takes a cosmic perspective in this book, addressing everything from supernovae to the paired electrons of quantum physics.

Perhaps the only assumption that Bryson makes is that scientific inquiry is good. He assumes that the reader shares the belief that learning more about the universe, the Earth and human history will have positive results. Bryson clearly doesn't think that a belief in evolution and the scientific process is at odds with a belief in God. Bryson includes multiple references to God by scientists, which suggests that he believes in God himself. He does, however, reject a literal interpretation of the creation story in the Bible. Instead, Bryson quotes scientists who suggest that each "day" of creation in Genesis may encompass billions of years. Bryson doesn't overtly propound a belief in God...