Why Things Are: Answers to Every Essential Question in Life

Why Things Are

by Joel Achenbach

"Not only does Joel Achenbach ask some great questions, but he actually answers them--and with a rigor that puts him somewhere between Socrates and Miss Manners. Plus he's funnier than either of
Judy Jones and William Wilson
Authors of AN INCOMPLETE EDUCATION
From the dawn of time to yesterday's headlines, from baseball to the atom bomb,fromant farms to Peperidge Farm, syndicated columnist Joel Achenbach answers the perennial question, WHY?
Why do foreign languages sound so fast?
Why do fools fall in love?
Why don't people talk in elevators?
And much more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Trivia

345 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Chris Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your typical odd fact and explanations type book - different enough to keep me reading and even a bit humorous at times

[Keith Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books like this in which the author raises universal questions about how things work and then supplies the answers in short humorous essays. Fun casual reading, easy to pick up and put down again.

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good answers, presented with some wit and fun, covering the gamut from "bugs" to "suffering." Davy Barry is somewhat affiliated with the author, and it's the same kind of humor. But I also learned something, shockingly. :-)

(had not realized I'd already read this; second time dated 11/10/02)

[The Lady Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so much fun. It answers all the important questions in life, like what is De ja vu? Why is the sky blue?

[Michael Gallegos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book filled my head with lots of conversation fillers. I so recommend this reading...

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book- Achenbach has a great combo of humor and knowledge