For lovers of facts, students of popular culture, history buffs, and science enthusiasts, the fascinating stories behind 500 everyday items, expressions, and customs--from Kleenex to steak sauce, Barbie Dolls to honeymoons.
Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things
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Book Description
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
I have bought this book 3 times in many years and lose it to friends. It is educational and fun to pop out the origins when at work and someone is wondering where something came from or how a phrase got started. You can read for days if you could keep yourself up that long and then go back and read again.
Format:Paperback
I don't trust very much trivia books. There always seems to be another version for the same fact. Even one of the reviewers of this book take the time to explain HIS version about one of the facts of the book and I'm pretty sure some specialists could do the same for other facts. BUT the plain fact is THIS IS A VERY FUNNY READING, full of details and stories about the time of the fact under examination. So, even if the trivia itself may be wrong, still you learn a lot. And ignorance is blissful. I don't know anybody whose profesional career depepends upon knowing the difference between Asyrian empire and Accadian empire, as long as they are treated with some respect (not like some movies, which flips around the pages of some book and take the first name they come along, even if the choice made is absolutely impossible). History, at last, is not a question of accuracy, but one of good-faith and enjoyment. This book fills that purpose
By puffinswan
Format:Paperback
If you enjoy trivia and unusual
facts, then Charles Panati's
Extraordinary Origins of
Everyday Things, is the perfect
book. I have read other trivia books and I can say without
hesitation that Mr. Panati produces the best of the genre.
Many trivia books list a dry and uninspired fact sheet.
Panati, however, avoids this common pitfall and instead
entertains us with unusual and well researched trivia about
the history or origin of many everyday items and customs.
His books are formatted into logical chapter groupings
that easily flow from one topic to another. The book
is a pleasure to read and it teaches you in a pain free
style, answering questions that until now you couldn't find
answers for! Panati's words will both enlighten and
enchant you.
facts, then Charles Panati's
Extraordinary Origins of
Everyday Things, is the perfect
book. I have read other trivia books and I can say without
hesitation that Mr. Panati produces the best of the genre.
Many trivia books list a dry and uninspired fact sheet.
Panati, however, avoids this common pitfall and instead
entertains us with unusual and well researched trivia about
the history or origin of many everyday items and customs.
His books are formatted into logical chapter groupings
that easily flow from one topic to another. The book
is a pleasure to read and it teaches you in a pain free
style, answering questions that until now you couldn't find
answers for! Panati's words will both enlighten and
enchant you.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fascinating Book That You Never Get Tired of Reading
I found this to be one of the most fascinating and interesting books I have ever read. Flip the book open to any page and learn the history of everyday things we take for... Read more
Published on July 18 2001
3.0 out of 5 stars
Needs A Fact-Checker
This book contains much that is fascinating and useful. Unfortunately some misinformation has slipped past the editors (of my edition, at least). Read more
Published on Mar 28 2001
4.0 out of 5 stars
It answered a few of my daughter's 'WHY' questions.
Step by step explanation how many of the things from the past came to be. It sits on the bookcase with it's dogged eared pages, ready to be used again and again for what ever... Read more
Published on Jan 23 2001 by CPUGuy1
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting.....Great Conversation Piece
Great for bedtime reading........full of interesting facts. Panati does a great job. When relatives stay, they love to read it. Check it out! I recommend it.
Published on Nov 12 2000 by Dennis C. Hildebrand
5.0 out of 5 stars
perfect reader
This is one of the best books for people who want to know more about everything out there. Potato chips, Blubeard, Valentines Day. This book talks about it all, its worth it.
Published on Feb 29 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really should get six stars
A supurb traveling or gift book, with excellent informative pieces of information which will please almost anyone. Read more
Published on Feb 5 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
My whole family has used this book for years
When I use this book in school or university people always marvel ask where I got such unique information
Published on Feb 5 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
One book for a desert island!
I wore this book out. I read it, reread it, bookmarked it to death and referred to it so often. Now I need another one. I'm going to buy *two more*, just in case.
Published on Dec 30 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent reading.
I didn't learn this much history in school. It is amazing to learn that customs we practice today have their roots hundreds, even thousands of years ago. Read more
Published on Nov 19 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
great book for hard to buy-for in-laws
A great book for people interested in just about everything. Since the book is so diverse you are sure to find something for everyone. Read more
Published on July 7 1998
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