Amazon.com
"The best way to understand the dramatic transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or the rise of teenage smoking, or the phenomena of word of mouth or any number of the other mysterious changes that mark everyday life," writes Malcolm Gladwell, "is to think of them as epidemics. Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do." Although anyone familiar with the theory of memetics will recognize this concept, Gladwell's The Tipping Point has quite a few interesting twists on the subject.
For example, Paul Revere was able to galvanize the forces of resistance so effectively in part because he was what Gladwell calls a "Connector": he knew just about everybody, particularly the revolutionary leaders in each of the towns that he rode through. But Revere "wasn't just the man with the biggest Rolodex in colonial Boston," he was also a "Maven" who gathered extensive information about the British. He knew what was going on and he knew exactly whom to tell. The phenomenon continues to this day--think of how often you've received information in an e-mail message that had been forwarded at least half a dozen times before reaching you.
Gladwell develops these and other concepts (such as the "stickiness" of ideas or the effect of population size on information dispersal) through simple, clear explanations and entertainingly illustrative anecdotes, such as comparing the pedagogical methods of Sesame Street and Blue's Clues, or explaining why it would be even easier to play Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with the actor Rod Steiger. Although some readers may find the transitional passages between chapters hold their hands a little too tightly, and Gladwell's closing invocation of the possibilities of social engineering sketchy, even chilling, The Tipping Point is one of the most effective books on science for a general audience in ages. It seems inevitable that "tipping point," like "future shock" or "chaos theory," will soon become one of those ideas that everybody knows--or at least knows by name. --Ron Hogan
Book Description
"The best way to understand the dramatic transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or the rise of teenage smoking, or the phenomena of word of mouth or any number of the other mysterious changes that mark everyday life," writes Malcolm Gladwell, "is to think of them as epidemics. Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do." Although anyone familiar with the theory of memetics will recognize this concept, Gladwell's The Tipping Point has quite a few interesting twists on the subject.For example, Paul Revere was able to galvanize the forces of resistance so effectively in part because he was what Gladwell calls a "Connector": he knew just about everybody, particularly the revolutionary leaders in each of the towns that he rode through. But Revere "wasn't just the man with the biggest Rolodex in colonial Boston," he was also a "Maven" who gathered extensive information about the British. He knew what was going on and he knew exactly whom to tell. The phenomenon continues to this day--think of how often you've received information in an e-mail message that had been forwarded at least half a dozen times before reaching you.Gladwell develops these and other concepts (such as the "stickiness" of ideas or the effect of population size on information dispersal) through simple, clear explanations and entertainingly illustrative anecdotes, such as comparing the pedagogical methods of Sesame Street and Blue's Clues, or explaining why it would be even easier to play Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with the actor Rod Steiger. Although some readers may find the transitional passages between chapters hold their hands a little too tightly, and Gladwell's closing invocation of the possibilities of social engineering sketchy, even chilling, The Tipping Point is one of the most effective books on science for a general audience in ages. It seems inevitable that "tipping point," like "future shock" or "chaos theory," will soon become one of those ideas that everybody knows--or at least knows by name. --Ron Hogan
Customer Reviews:
Take care of the little things and the big things will all come together.......2007-10-17
For those that like to learn about how people act, react and think, this book is a fascinating read. I'm not much on non-novels; I usually get through them and think "what a waste of time, I could of read a good book". But with this book and the book Understanding: Train of Thought, I couldn't put them down. They are such easy reading; it is easy to retain the material and they keep you thinking long after. I liked them so much I bought more copies for my friends!
An Unabashed Fan for Good Reason.......2007-10-16
I'm a huge fan of Gladwell's work. Both Blink and Tipping Point are fantastically entertaining yet highly informative - a combination that I, as a writer, aspire to and one that Gladwell has clearly mastered.
Great read.......2007-10-15
Not the most innovative concept in marketing, but Galdwell did a very good job in explaining a complex phenomena by giving easy to follow examples. I particularly like the Boston Tea Party example.
Irrelevent Drivel.......2007-10-15
Yet another author who has found something interesting to write about, realizes there isn't enough to fill a book and then embarks on a meandering journey of sleep inducing, page filling drivel. In this case the subject is social epidemics. If you wipe out three quaters of this book you'd have a good read.
This is an excellent organizational behavior book!!.......2007-10-13
I was really impressed with this book. I bought it to fulfill an MBA classroom project and it was a great book to read. The author introduces the main ideas in four sections and then provides extensive examples where the reader can fully understand what these ideas are. What is quite astonoshing about this book is that the ideas are very basic but yet very important and powerful at the same time. The author demonstrates how a small idea can create BIG positive changes. This book is ideal for those interested in organizational behavior or are studying any topic that relates to behavior at work, in society, or in their personal lives. Very useful book!!!
Average customer rating:
- Amazing
- Can't put it down
- Looking at Machines Differently
- GREAT BOOK
- One of the densest collections of basic knowledge about our mechanistic world
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The New Way Things Work
David Macaulay
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Macaulay, David
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The Way Science Works
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Castle
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Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction (Sandpiper)
ASIN: 0395938473 |
Amazon.com
"Is it a fact--or have I dreamt it--that, by means of electricity, the world of matter has become a great nerve, vibrating thousands of miles in a breathless point of time?" If you, like Nathaniel Hawthorne, are kept up at night wondering about how things work--from electricity to can openers--then you and your favorite kids shouldn't be a moment longer without David Macaulay's The New Way Things Work. The award-winning author-illustrator--a former architect and junior high school teacher--is perfectly poised to be the Great Explainer of the whirrings and whizzings of the world of machines, a talent that landed the 1988 version of The Way Things Work on the New York Times bestsellers list for 50 weeks. Grouping machines together by the principles that govern their actions rather than by their uses, Macaulay helps us understand in a heavily visual, humorous, unerringly precise way what gadgets such as a toilet, a carburetor, and a fire extinguisher have in common.
The New Way Things Work boasts a richly illustrated 80-page section that wrenches us all (including the curious, bumbling wooly mammoth who ambles along with the reader) into the digital age of modems, digital cameras, compact disks, bits, and bytes. Readers can glory in gears in "The Mechanics of Movement," investigate flying in "Harnessing the Elements," demystify the sound of music in "Working with Waves," marvel at magnetism in "Electricity & Automation," and examine e-mail in "The Digital Domain." An illustrated survey of significant inventions closes the book, along with a glossary of technical terms, and an index. What possible link could there be between zippers and plows, dentist drills and windmills? Parking meters and meat grinders, jumbo jets and jackhammers, remote control and rockets, electric guitars and egg beaters? Macaulay demystifies them all. (Click to see a sample spread of this book, illustrations and text copyright 1998 David Macaulay, Neil Ardley, published by Houghton Mifflin Co.) (All ages) --Karin Snelson
Book Description
The information age is upon us, baffling us with thousands of complicated state-of-the-art technologies. To help make sense of the computer age, David Macaulay brings us The New Way Things Work. This completely updated and expanded edition describes twelve new machines and includes more than seventy new pages detailing the latest innovations. With an entirely new section that guides us through the complicated world of digital machinery, where masses of electronic information can be squeezed onto a single tiny microchip, this revised edition embraces all of the newest developments, from cars to watches. Each scientific principle is brilliantly explained--with the help of a charming, if rather slow-witted, woolly mammoth.
Customer Reviews:
Amazing.......2007-05-14
Informative and entertaining. I wonder how many engineers out there first got their interest in the way things work from this book.... In Fall 2008 Macaulay will have a new book out entitled "The Way We Work", which will explain the workings of the human body in similar fashion to this book. Can't wait!
Can't put it down.......2007-05-07
My son (10) had borrowed the older edition from the library several times. So I got him this one for his birthday. He sneaks this book into his bed at night. If that's not an excellent testemony I don't know what is.
Looking at Machines Differently.......2007-02-01
Each page of this book opens up a world of how something works. It could be how to make a hologram (of a wolly mammoth of course) or how the valves in a trumpet change the sound. The subject for a few pages might be electricity or it could be how an automatic transmission works. In any case, the pages are a mixture of drawings (usually with mammoth) showing the nature of the subject, combined with text that further describes what the drawings are showing.
Over a period of many years Mr. Macaulay has developed his drawing style and his understanding of mechanical things which when combined in a book like this offer a painless way for the kid in all of us to learn.
This new edition has been expanded in several areas. This includes coverage on personal computers, space probes and other more recent developments. It's one of those books that's hard to put down once you start reading.
GREAT BOOK.......2007-01-12
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER SEEN. IT IS EXCELLANT FOR ALL AGES.
One of the densest collections of basic knowledge about our mechanistic world.......2006-12-14
Imagine there were a nuclear war and all of society's accomplishments were annihilated and mankind became a savage race again. If you could have just one book saved through the ages to help you reestablish science and technology, pick this one.
Product Description
The Uncover series combines the best elements of a book with model elements to help readers truly "uncover" the mysteries of what makes things work. A fascinating three-dimensional presentation allows in-depth, hands-on exploration of the subject at hand. This unique "model" is easily build, deconstructed and re-built layer by layer, system by system just by turning a page, until an understanding of the topic is achieved. The complexities of the human body can be daunting, particularly for children. This book-model combination takes some of the mystery out of how the body works. It covers all the major systems and processes. Children get to look at each system on a different page, then by closing the book, combine them into a whole. 16 pages. Ages 8+
Customer Reviews:
Perfect for curious little ones.......2007-09-17
I gave this book to my nephew for his 5th birthday. My nephew is obsessed with learning and his topic of choice at that time was the human body. He literally stared at this book for an entire week. After a month or so, he could name every single bone in the body, point to all the major organs, and tell you how your digestive system works. This book is full of learning and is so interesting for kids because of the 3D body parts. Yes, you may lose a part or two, or need to glue the skull back in, but all in all, it's fascination and wonder for curious little kids!
Loved it!.......2007-07-30
I bought this for my 5 year old for her birthday. She wanted a stand up skelleton with organs that she could take out and look at. As she is only 5 and she has a 2 year old brother I opted for this book instead. She loves it! Not only can she look at the organs but she can also see the nerves, blood vessels and the brain. The book also contains projects you can do with your child that are pretty neat. Believe it or not this has become a bed time book.
Very cool. And no small pieces to lose.
Fun, eye-catching, AND educational.......2007-03-29
I did alot of research to find just the right book for my 7 year old, and am very happy with this book. We both love the way the parts of the body are 3-D in the middle of the book. He can identify most of the parts after just a few sit downs with me. Some of the text is too old for him, but it's easy to simplify the material to age appropriate levels. We will be able to use this book for many more years adding on information as he gets older!
What a "cool" book!.......2007-02-23
My 8 year old daughter has always been fascinated by the human body. I bought this for her as gift and she can't get enough of it. She takes it everywhere we go and is constantly reading it. We went to the doctor's office recently and of course she had her book with her. The doctor was very impressed and kept commenting on what a "cool" book it was. I have to agree, and so does my daughter.
So Cool!.......2007-01-21
We got this for our 4 year old because he was at the stage where he was asking so many questions about how the body works. It is fantastic! I love the little skeleton inside. Every page reveals a different layer that is explained on that page. He loves the book and will actually sit and look at it without my help now. Definitely would recommend this book!
Book Description
This book is an unconventional introduction to physics and science that starts with whole objects and looks inside them to see what makes them work. It's written for students who seek a connection between science and the world in which they live. How Things Work brings science to the reader rather than the reverse. Like the course in which it developed, this book has always been for nonscientists and is written with their interests in mind. Nonetheless, it has attracted students from the sciences, engineering, architecture, and other technical fields who wish to put scientific concepts into context.
This book is written in English and organized in a case-study fashion. It conveys an understanding and appreciation for physics by finding physics concepts and principles within the familiar objects of everyday experience. Because its structure is defined by real-life examples, this book necessarily discusses concepts as they're needed and then revisits them later on when they reappear in other objects.
Lou Bloomfield is a highly dedicated teacher and one of the most popular professors at University of Virginia, and was the recipient of the 1998 State of Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award. Lou has given talks all over the country on teaching physics through everyday objects. He has extreme attention to detail and knowledge of technical physics. He is very tech savvy and has been able to provide many of the photos and illustrations for the text himself.
Customer Reviews:
How Things Work.......2007-02-16
Book in excellent shape and quickly shipped would definitly buy from seller again.
Great book on a number of different levels.......2006-10-10
I'm a professor of engineering, and decided to use this book as the primary textbook to give a basic idea, for humanities and liberal arts students, of what engineers do. What a great decision! The first part of the book sweeps neatly through basic physics, which is also, as it turns out, basic engineering. Statics, dynamics, friction, thermo--it's all there, neatly encapsulated in a way that humanities students can easily understand what's going on. The text then moves on to the types of things that really float my boat as an engineer--how refrigerators, car engines, and microwave ovens work. Even though I've been involved in engineering for years, and am a licensed professional engineer, I still learned interesting and helpful new ways of thinking about devices and how things work from this book. Moreover, I think this book helps give non-science and non-engineering students the kind of broad-ranging education they *should* be receiving in a university level. Engineering students, after all, have to study at least a modicum of subjects that relate to world history, English, psychology, and so forth. But humanities students can graduate from college without even having the faintest idea about the workings of the technology that can make their lives so healthy, pleasant and liveable. Call me biased or part of the great NASCAR unwashed, but I think it's just as important for a student to be aware of the essentials of how their refrigerator and car work as it is for them to understand the nuances of Shakespeare. Understanding of the fundamentals of technology also leads to students having a better understanding of the tradeoffs involved in good stewardship of the environment.
Dr. Bloomfield has an extensive list of thoroughly researched demonstrations available through his website. I use some of these demonstrations almost every class day, and students really like them. (I couple the demonstrations with active learning exercises and cooperative learning activities, which helps keep them awake and motivated. I also combine use of Bloomfield's book with readings from Henry Petroski's "Success through Failure, and with short film clips from the National Association of Manufacturers.)
In a study I am working on, I've found that universities that use this text as the backbone of physics courses for non-scientists and non-engineers generally seem to have huge enrollments. That speaks of the giant educational need this book seems to fill.
A great book........2000-08-15
As a highschool physics teacher, I strongly recommend this book to every physics (and science) teacher. It can serve as a source for daily life examples of physics principles in your instructions. Even if you are an inquiry minded person, you are going to find well-designed explanations for the functioning of lots of tools, machines, etc. in the book. Really exciting, rich content, excellent book.
This is what physics is all about!.......2000-07-13
You don't need to be a physicist to understand this book. Take me for example, I took a year of Physics in college and this is enough for me to grasp the concepts presented in this book. What's so wonderful about this book is that it goes beyond the mere equations and formulas we desparately memorized before a physics test, it shows that how physics can be incorporated into our lives and improving the quality of our lives. This is a great book for those preparing for the physics AP test and those who simply want to keep themselves amazed.
What a wonderful holiday gift!.......1999-12-22
For all of those people that are struggling over what to get their science-loving friends and family members, this is the best book you could get! Adults and teenagers alike will surely love reading this book and looking at the wonderful pictures. I am so glad that I got this book, because I have learned about the devices that I use everyday.
Average customer rating:
- Way too simple, but OK for kids
- Definitely not worth the money.
- Perhaps he should name it....Catapults for Kids.
- More fun!
- Amusing catapults, interesting history, but no metric units
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The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient Artillery
William Gurstelle
Manufacturer: Chicago Review Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Military & Wars
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Adventures from the Technology Underground: Catapults, Pulsejets, Rail Guns, Flamethrowers, Tesla Coils, Air Cannons, and the Garage Warriors Who Love Them
ASIN: 1556525265 |
Book Description
Whether playing at defending their own castle or simply chucking pumpkins over a fence, wannabe marauders and tinkerers will become fast acquainted with Ludgar, the War Wolf, Ill Neighbor, Cabulus, and the Wild Donkey—ancient artillery devices known commonly as catapults. Building these simple yet sophisticated machines introduces fundamentals of math and physics using levers, force, torsion, tension, and traction. Instructions and diagrams illustrate how to build seven authentic working model catapults, including an early Greek ballista, a Roman onager, and the apex of catapult technology, the English trebuchet. Additional projects include learning how to lash and make rope and how to construct and use a hand sling and a staff sling. The colorful history of siege warfare is explored through the stories of Alexander the Great and his battle of Tyre; Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, and the Third Crusade; pirate-turned-soldier John Crabbe and his ship-mounted catapults; and Edward I of England and his battle against the Scots at Stirling Castle.
Customer Reviews:
Way too simple, but OK for kids.......2007-06-29
I find this book to be very superficial when it comes to the real deal. If you're looking for a book on catapults, you're going to get disappointed. This book focuses om making simple small scale models of catapults. I suppose it's great for a weekend project with your wannabe engineer kids, but if you're really interested in pre gunpowder siege warfare, you should rather take a look at Konstantin Nossov's book on siege warfare, which is a really thourough work. Also note that there aren't any metric units for the models, which complicates construction for the common european.
Definitely not worth the money........2007-04-17
I was really dissappointed with this book. Several of the projects are ridiculous, and he didn't do enough research. A few quick searches of the internet reveal that he gets a lot of historical facts wrong.
His first two projects, have nothing to do with anything related to actual catapults. The first is two sticks tied together, and the second is the equivalent of a waterbaloon slingshot. He calls it the "Viking Catapult". Of the ten projects in this book, three of them are modeled on actual historical types of catapults. Two are sub projects, that just show you how to build parts of the catapults, and the other five are things a child could design on thier own. As the one of the other reviewers pointed out, the last project is a plastic spoon catapult game. Small children do this on their own.
Do your self a favor, and download some free plans off the internet.
Perhaps he should name it....Catapults for Kids........2007-01-10
I was disappointed in this book. I was expecting some historically accurate designs and what I received was overly simplified plans presumably designed mostly for children. Yes, most of the text is related to the history of these weapons, but the plans left something to be desired. The ballista plan suggests use of a peanut as ammunition (not a bolt?) and the catch mechanism is nonexistent. The last project is a plastic-spoon-based basketball game. Enough said?
More fun!.......2006-11-10
This is a great book - got a copy for my brother for Christmas, and after taking a look had to get my own copy. I've been wanting to build a trebuchet ever since I saw one as a teenager - here are the plans!
Amusing catapults, interesting history, but no metric units.......2005-07-20
This book contains easy-to-follow instructions on how to build different catapults. Unfortunately there is no data regarding approx. distance and height for the suggested projectiles, why you must try for yourself. All units are english/american, which means you must translate this to metric units if you are more used to that.
A lot of historic background around catapults in general and around each model is given, which makes the book very interesting to read, even if you do not plan to build any of the models.
I can recommend this book to both historically interrested people and those who are more fond of making amusing toys!
Average customer rating:
- Incredible Cross Sections is a great gift for children!
- Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross Sections
- incredible book a bit dated
- This is a great book.
- This is a great book.
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Incredible Cross-Sections (Stephen Biesty's Cross-sections)
Richard J.C. Platt
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Architecture
| Arts & Music
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ASIN: 0679814116
Release Date: 1992-07-07 |
Book Description
The original and still the best, the IRA Children's Choice Book Incredible Cross-Sections is available again--now at a lower price! Spread after spread of amazing, original cross-section drawings take readers inside 18 of the world's most fascinating structures--from the Empire State Building to the Hale Observatory. And two of the remarkable illustrations--the Queen Mary and the Flying Scotsman
steam train--fold out to a length of nearly three feet!
Customer Reviews:
Incredible Cross Sections is a great gift for children!.......2005-09-10
I bought this book as a gift for my nephew. He is 6 and loves to know how things work. This is a fun and engaging view of lots of interesting things: a galleon, a space station, a ship, to name a few - the illustrations are great, and there are people doing things in the drawings which makes it more interesting than a simple cross section or blue print would be. The intricately detailed drawings encourage a child to study the pages instead of leafing through it absently.
Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross Sections.......2002-03-05
Wow! This book is really great! From opera houses to medieval cathedrals and castles, this incredible book of cross sections pinpoints every last detail! It shows all the different parts, what they are used for, and tons more! Buy this book today. You won't be disappointed.
incredible book a bit dated.......2002-02-27
Who of us can't remember the excitement of looking at some wonderful building or structure and wondering *what was going on in there*? Stephen Biesty deserves an entry in Who's Who for thinking of this wonderful format for readers who wonder. This is a wonderful and exciting book for older kids and adults who are curious about how things work behind-the-scenes. While it can be tricky for younger children to envision how the objects go back together, there will ample material for others to enjoy. Eighteen human-made objects are cross-sectioned: a castle, an observatory, a galleon, ocean liner and submarine, a coal mine, military tank, oil rig, cathedral, jumbo jet and car factory, a helicopter, an opera house, a steam train and a subway station, a fishing trawler, the Empire State Building and the space shuttle. The sections are filled with defining activity, and Richard Platt's accompanying text is informative and amusing.
First published in 1992, this book is also a fascinating testament to the breathtaking pace of change we experience. Many of the objects have changed a great deal in the past decade, so this is more a snapshot of one era's mechanisms than a blueprint of state-of-the-art technology. For that reason the book succeeds spectacularly with historic objects such as the castle and galleon, and only slightly less so with outdated items like the tank and helicopter.
If you are interested in how things work, these unique views of engineering marvels in operation will thrill you.
This is a great book........2001-10-18
This is a great book. Its full good info, great drawings and over all fun for all ages. Younger kids might have trouble seeing how the draws go back together on a few.
This is a great book........2001-10-18
This is a great book. Its full good info, great drawings and over all fun for all ages. Younger kids might have trouble seeing how the draws go back together on a few.
Book Description
It's a tough job separating truth from urban legend, but the MythBusters are here to serve. For example, is it true that if you step in quicksand , you'll be sucked down to your death? Only two men would be inventive - and adventurous - enough to try to find out: Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, the MythBusters. Each week, hosts Savage and Hyneman, both special effects experts, use modern science to put another three urban legends to the test on their popular TV show. In this book, you'll learn how they either "busted" or confirmed fifteen myths on their show, often with spectacular results. Here are just some of the urban legends in this book:
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Did a Ming Dynasty astronaut launch himself into space with a rocket?
-
Can a swallowed octopus egg grow to full size inside a person's stomach?
-
Is the daddy longlegs the world's most venomous spider?
-
Will a sinking ship suck you down?
-
How many balloons are needed to lift a small child off the ground?
-
Does a duck's quack echo?
Mythbusters: Don't Try This at Home! gets to the bottom of these urban legends and more, and it lets you do your own mythbusting with fun experiments you can do safely at home.
Customer Reviews:
Not so good.......2007-06-10
I had ordered this book for a 17 year old. However, when I received it, I realized it was geared more for an 8 year old - very elementary.
Kids love it .......2007-05-24
My kids really love the show and the books.
I have two boys aged 10 and 14.
Meant for youngsters.......2007-02-16
I gave this to my rocket-scientist brother but it was my 4th grade nephew who ran off with the book. I would say that it is really designed for middle-school students? The nephew liked it.
Makes a great gift when enclosed with two dozen bottles of Diet Coke and six rolls of Mentos!
Nice gift item.......2007-01-16
I bought this for my husband who enjoys the show and loves to read. He has enjoyed it a great deal. Even our 6 year old likes to read the different myth busters.
Kids Love It!.......2007-01-09
I purchased this book for my 4 boys this Christmas and they really love it! We watch MythBusters every week on Discovery Channel and this book is a great in reviewing what was shown on TV. We have the first book that was released and this book is an excellent addition. Very easy to read and lots of pictures. Its perfect for all ages!
Book Description
From microchips and iPods to robots in the human bloodstream, Cool Stuff and How It Works takes the reader on an eye-opening journey through the world of modern technology. Tech-savvy kids will love learning all about today's most innovative inventions-where they came from, how they do what they do, and where they might take us in the future.a
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book for introducing kids to technology.......2007-05-09
Kids are surrounded by technology these days, but unfortunately fewer and fewer of them appear to know how their gadgets or the world around them works.
This book is a good introduction, even if it is a bit lightweight.
There's a mix of ordinary things like electric shavers and guitars, the somewhat exotic like fiber optics and things mostly on the drawing board like fuel-cell cars. In all, more than 90 objects, processes and technologies are described.
The explanations are all essentially superficial and profusely illustrated. It's enough to get a young person interested and perhaps move them along to considering learning more about technology.
Jerry
Great Book!.......2007-01-10
I bought this book for my 11 year old son. He absolutey loves it. It has a great cover. The ipod is sweet and it's a hollagram like I always say you can never have 1 too many of those hollagrams. And every thing else is a joke but who am I kidding hollagrams are sweet. This is a must have hollagram lover! baby yay i know i'm wako but still ya gotta love the hollagram baby!
Your's truly,
Ottomiss woodford
we are curious.......2006-11-11
I bought this book for my high school students to read in their free time. It is one of their favorite books.
From MP3 Players to Nanorobots in Amazing Color Photographs.......2006-06-09
Through the use of cutaways and exploded views pictures reveal the internal workings of objects and explain various layers and how elements are assembled. This provides fascinating explanations of objects that may otherwise remain a mystery. No need to take apart your MP3 player, you can see inside the player on page 71. There is an explanation of how MP3 compression works along with a 3-D graph.
There are six main chapters:
Connect: Microchips, cell phones, fiber optics, digital radio, voice recognition, satellite, Internet...
Play: Soccer, fabric, cameras, games, guitars, compact discs, MP3 Players, headphones, Fireworks...
Live: Light bulbs, mirrors, solar cells, microwaves, aerogel, shavers, washing machines and robots.
Move: Motorcycles, cars, wheelchairs, jet engines, navigation, space probes, elevators, wind tunnels and space shuttles.
Work: Digital pens, laptops, virtual keyboards, laser printer, smart cards, robot worker, fire suits, radio ID tag, glue and wet welding.
Survive: Laser surgery, robot surgery, MRI scan, pacemaker, cells, vaccination and antibiotics
You may enjoy reading about how fireworks explode and why they display various colors. The pet translator helps you to find out if your dogs barking indicates needy, happy or assertive behavior. Virtual keyboards make using a PDA much easier now that you can type on any flat space.
One of the most fascinating DK books in print. A must have for every library and school, not to mention home library.
~The Rebecca Review
Technology and how it works.......2006-02-25
Well written explanations of everyday phenomenon, from cell phones to surgery.
Customer Reviews:
Another good book from the Exporatorium.......2007-02-12
Most of the Exploratorium books that I have purchased have been activity-based, so they're great for grown-ups (teachers, parents, etc.) who want to lead kids in discovery as well as for the kids who want to try things out for themselves. As a science instructor for elementary-aged students (pre-K through 5th grade), there are several of the activities in this book that I am going to use for my kids, but it seems well suited for the kids themselves because it also gives a lot of basic background information on everything from static to DNA. This particular book from Exploratorium is a bit different from the others because of its extra background information and would be a great book for an elementary-aged child who loves science and wants more information, as well as hands-on activities to explore.
I've been voted "Coolest Grandad"!.......2007-01-10
I am well over 13 years of age! -- I am approaching my 75th birthday. I bought Exploratopia for one of my grandsons and all grandchildren (who have reached the 'use of reason' thought Grandad's present to Aaron the best of all.
Not only is it a book of discovery -- every discovery gives you an experiment that you can to to illustrate what you have just read.
Thank ytou very much!
Bill M
Average customer rating:
- A must read Book !!!!
- great mind expansion
|
How Things Work: 100 Ways Parents and Kids Can Share the Secrets of Technology
Neil Ardley
Manufacturer: Readers Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
How Things Work
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Physics
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Engineering
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
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How Science Works (Reader's Digest )
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How body works (How It Works)
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The New Way Things Work
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How it works: how nature works (How It Works)
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How Math Works (How It Works)
ASIN: 0895776944 |
Amazon.com
Hey, this is a fun book! Even a casual page-through revealed a number of things many adults probably don't know. How Things Work would be a great book for parents who don't want to look like idiots in front of their own children when asked a question they don't know the answer to. It's filled with fun experiments, clear directions, and does a splendid job of simplifying and clarifying elaborate technological concepts.
Book Description
Here is a fascinating guide to the world of machines and technology, packed with hundreds of hands-on experiments for the whole family. Activities are designed to use every-day materials that are inexpensive and easy to obtain. For ages 8-14.
Customer Reviews:
A must read Book !!!!.......1999-06-02
This fascinating book is different from other science book.It has many, many different experiments and projects to try out. From building a escalator to making a simple computer...That really works!! Each experiment is clearly photographed step by step , it is so ever easy to follow them! This book is a must. If you enjoyed this book, why not try the others? You won't regret.
great mind expansion.......1998-07-10
My kids always want to know why or how something happens. This is a great book for them to look at (marvelous pictures) and for us to select projects from that explain some of the stuff mom and dad don't know. My seven and ten year old can read and understand the vocabulary without getting lost in any scientific jargon. A great help for classroom project, science fair entries, long summer days or rainy weekends.
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