Weird format and pacing to get used to at first but Asimov has always excelled with short stories, so it's no wonder that he found a way to make it work for novel-lenght.
Sometimes the plot solves problems in a way that takes away from the sense of urgency, and some others you end up with the same basic character in every era but eh. Trying to write a Big History through individual lenses is an ambitious project and this is wayy more than a fair shot at it.
It's also very funny which! why aren't more people talking about how hilariously tongue in cheek Asimov is?!