I didn't expect it to be a bunch of really sad case stories.
Fast-paced, great storytelling, genuinely fun facts I didn't know, well researched, light-hearted, page turner, humorous style, great breadth, facts and stories have great segues and weave together which makes you want to "find out what's in the next chapter" instead of get bored leafing through standalone popular facts
Would have preferred a faster pace. Was expecting a philosophical focus from beginning to end. I felt bored and impatient with the long setup of setting.
I don't like books where there is so much worldbuilding and backstory that everything has a weird name and has to be explained. It slows the story down and makes it so you need a character name list and glossary of terms and places just to follow along. It's part of why I'm not a fan of The Hobbit, Hyperion, The Fifth Season, and Dune.
Would have preferred it to have more plot and be faster paced.