This is a decent general natural history science book, covering a fairly wide range of topics. Bryson offers the fresh, intelligent perspective of a curious lay person, although the writing is dry at times. At other times, I found myself wishing that Bryson had elaborated more, like when he made the remarkable observation that our world is still in an Ice Age. Bryson does inspire an appreciation for what we take pretty much for granted - what he calls our cosmic luck on Earth. 

Question: How is the knowledge?
Answer: Bryson does inspire an appreciation for what we take pretty much for granted