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There aren't many books which are as popular as A Short History of nearly everything by Bill Bryson.

It is funny and easy read, yet covers a lot of ground. Also brings to the fore the eccentric characters of Science community in a sincere manner

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It's somewhat dated now, but I loved Asimov's Intelligent Man's Guide to Science[1] when I picked it up at a used book sale in junior high. I felt it was great for putting the history of science in context in a way that I never really got from my actual schooling.

Another good one is The Dancing Universe[2], which I got as a textbook for some sort of history/philosophy of science course in undergrad.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligent_Man%27s_Guide_...

[2] http://amzn.to/1Sv6qV7

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