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Schott's Quintessential Miscellany (2010)

by Ben Schott(Favorite Author)

3.79 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1608190218 (ISBN13: 9781608190218)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Bloomsbury USA

review 1: Schott's Quintessential Miscellany by Ben Schott is truly a one-of-a-kind book, one that I've thoroughly enjoyed. As a person who likes learning random bits of facts, this book is just that: a 150 page book with random tidbits of information. Reading through, I was entertained by this casual display of random information, where much of it I can actually connect with. For example, I finally learned what those colored construction and underground utility markers you sometimes see on asphalt are. You can also find" the chalk marks used to identify Ellis Island immigrants and their condition"s right above "footwear labeling symbols," while the next page has "annual queen-bee color codings used by bee-keepers". On another page, the "anatomy of a knife", and on another page, var... moreious versions on the "stages of life." This book is an enthralling mishmash of facts, tidbits of information, short poems, and useful proverbs. Who knew there were other triangles besides the Bermuda Triangle? Who knew there was a word for someone who was obsessed with ferns? (Pteridomania). For all those information lovers, people who enjoy bringing up something interesting they learned in a conversation, and for people who just want to be entertained by new knowledge, read this book. And, the best part is, it never gets boring– no matter how many times you read it over again! (Plus there's an index so you can easily find something again).
review 2: Being one of a series of miscellanies, this book may be expected to be a compendium of random facts and morsels that one may find amusing as a casual read, forgotten instantly or pulled out at a moment in a closely relevant conversation. What I found instead of a motley collection of tidbits was a gathering of chronologically progressive wisdom taken from newsletters and guidebooks and sources that might not have had their facts entirely straight but manage to outline perfectly how the little things in society work or may have worked, interspersed with interesting points of reference on things you may have always wanted to know or will probably look over again in the future. Definitely a recommended read for anyone with a bit of spare time on their hands, be it two minutes or two hours. less

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