How to be Really Well Informed in Minutes

by The Week

We would all like to be better informed. Here is a book that makes it easy. Based on the "Briefings" columns that appear in every issue of The Week , here is a book that addresses the key issues of our day and breaks them down into bite-sized questions and answers. Each one takes minutes to read yet provides objective and meticulously researched perspectives on the major matters of our times. How did Darwin change the world? What exactly is Sharia law? Which was the world's worst industrial accident? Is computer hacking getting more serious? Can Aspirin cure cancer? What was the legacy of the Iran-Iraq war? Ranging across a wide array of subjects—from medicine, science, and politics, to history, geography, and finance—about which we are often less informed than we would like, this is a fascinating book to dip into.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Reference

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2012

Reviews

[Jamilla Smith-Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin: readily informs you in a very short amount of time. Despite what the amount of time it has taken me to get through this suggests, it is easily digestible, and great for reference.

Naturally, given it was published over a decade ago, a fair few things here would require revisiting or updating; but that does not mean it is not a worthwhile read. Indeed, some articles make for particularly interesting reading, given the current state of affairs.

My only problem was I disagreed with the discussion of archaeological evidence of Vikings - my undergraduate studies at least somewhat contradicted the arguments put forward. Otherwise, the discussions here are well-balanced and thought-provoking.

Not bad for a few pounds in The Works!

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like an encyclopedia, except that the questions are well curated and the answers are better crafted to provide more depth in comparison on a particular subject matter. Like an encyclopedia, some of the information is dated since the time of the publication.

Also, not all the questions will appeal to you, and some of the questions are UK-centric. Skip those "chapters" that you're not interested in and you'll shave some minutes off your reading time.

[H]

Published next year and i have it next to me, odd

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and quick introduction to a wide range of current affairs topics. Serves its purpose well, in that it provides some context for many of the stories that we might read about in the papers but don't know anything about. 6/10