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I ran across a used copy of this book and had a blast reading it. I had no clue what a caper was, other than I wasn't going to eat them. Plenty of historical facts as well, particularly in the political arena; granted I knew why the Dems are called the left and the Reps are the right, but it was new info to my mom.This is 100% set it next to the potty reading. I mainly selected this book because my 7 year old is coming up with some bizarre questions and I hate telling him "I can't remember." Now before you go and spend your good hard earned money on this book. I do wish they would do an updated version of this book. it was printed in 1996, and there is a large chapter in it on computers and the internet - that you might as well rip out of the book. It is full of the most random information and the majority of it is still applicable today. There were also lists telling you which shape of pasta goes by which name.
There are some other references through out the book that are also extremely dated, but then again some of the info is timeless. The chapter that I actually gained the most out of was the chapter on food - who knew. lots of little tidbits. It was quite fun.
This book is very entertaining, but after I received it I was disappointed to find that it is actually 12 years old. If you aren't old enough to have a good handle on 1996 and what was happening then and what didn't exist yet, you will have trouble with a lot of the things in this book. Things about computer and other technology are often not relevant, as you may expect.However, there are many other things you will appreciate, such as finally learning the difference between a magnate, a mogul and a czar. I would recommend the book to people who were not in elementary school or earlier during the 90s and were alert enough to remember the cultural and business environment at that time.
An interesting read but it really needs to be revised as it was published in 1996; a significant amount of things have obviously occurred since then and they would greatly alter many of the passages.
Here's a smattering of what to expect: What is the legal definition of insanity. When you finish;you are going to feel there could easily be thousands of things and expressions we use all the time,without really knowing what they mean or how they came about. As usual,I read the customer reviews,and was really left wondering.Quite a spread of opinions. How do microwaves work.
I didn't count the things covered exactly;but there are about 45 or so. When I picked up this little tome;I didn't really expect it to amount to much. Why are the Liberals to the "Left" and the Conservatives to the "Right". Did The Three Musketeers actually exist. An excellent little gem to lay around for people to pick up and wile away a little time.
What is the difference between a Republic and a Democracy. What pasta names go with whatpasta shapes. After reading,I have to say that I fully agree with those who gave it top marks. What makes food Kosher. However;don't be suprised if,as the Irish so aptly put it; "it gets nicked".oh,how I love that word.
If you think this little book is superficial, and just might not be one of the pinacles of greatness in the world of books;you may be right.But wait till you see the extensive Bibliography at the end of the book.If you think the subject of this book is minor ,just skimming through this Bibliography,will show you how little we really know of what we speak. How do subiminal messages work. If you know the answers to all these questions,you might find this book dull;but if you want to know some of what you're talking about;now's your chance.
I did learn a lot from this book and the writing style allowed me to just read straight through. I would suggest ignoring the entire section on computers though. Too much has changed since the book was written.
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