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 enlarge | Author: The Editors Of Discover Magazine
Publisher: Collins
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
Buy New: $9.49
You Save: $7.46 (44%)
New (41) Used (15) from $8.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 105227
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.2
ISBN: 0061435643
Dewey Decimal Number: 001.9
EAN: 9780061435645
ASIN: 0061435643
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 6-9 of 9 | | « PREV | | |
For those who want to "know it all" May 3, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I'm a big fan of these kinds of kitchen-sink books. In an era when nonfiction writing seem to be getting smaller and smaller (300 pages all about...cod, chocolate, heat, pi, etc) it's great to curl up with a book that's all about expanding your range of knowledge, and doing it in a totally entertaining way. Probably the ultimate example of that is AJ Jacobs' "The Know It All," which manages to live up to the promise of its title without succumbing to the brattiness that it suggests.
"20 Things" isn't quite in the same category--this one doesn't have the unifying plot thread or strong author's voice--but it's really satisfying all the same. The topics range all over the place, and even within the chapters the information quickly bounces from ancient history to modern science and so on. The common thread is that the nuggets of information in here almost all make you think. Yeah, the writing could be a little sharper and there are a couple bits of repetition, but the world looks a little richer each time I put this book down. Good stuff.
 A good general read April 29, 2008
I look forward to the "20 things you didn't know about..." page each month in Discover and was very excited when I saw there was a book. I expected many lists in the format that is in the magazine. Instead there are longer sections on each topic. I feel that for some topics the list of 20 is kind of a stretch with some facts being duplicated or not really informative. It is a very easy read and would be informative and beneficial to those who do little science reading. Everyone can use useless facts, and this book is full of them. Overall I have been disappointed with the book, but those who aren't accustomed to science reading will find this an interesting read.
 What a fun find! April 21, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
For trivia buffs and people who are just curious about how the world works, this book is a real treat. The topics are eclectic and a bit quirky but it works; the chapter on duct tape explains everything from why some people say "duck tape" (I always thought they were just being dim) to why the tape was the real hero of Apollo 13. And I keep finding surprising nuggets of serious science and history in here, even though the tone of the whole thing is easy-breezy. This book is like junk food that's good for you--and that's something you just don't find every day.
Awesome Book! Awesome Magazine! March 27, 2008
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
I love Discover Magazine so when I saw that they expanded their 20 things column into a book I was thrilled! So many cool and interesting subjects. The topics are all really different ( germs and ancient weapons are especially interesting) and funny too! It's a great book for a plane ride and the beach. Also, I always travel with my Discover Mag and I think it's great that Amazon offers this book with a subscription package as an option. Its a great gift idea.
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