Cool Stuff 2.0 and How It Works

by Jon Woodcock

Author John Woodcock has a degree in physics from Oxford University, but the success of his Cool Stuff books probably owes as much to his communication skills as his high-level scientific expertise. In this singular follow-up to the original, he explains machines, gadgets, and other technologies to inquiring young minds. Among the topics tackled in this entertaining nonfiction book are earthquake proofing, hydrogen-fueled cars, and virtual realities. An exciting challenge for tinkerers and thinkers.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2007

Reviews

[Daniel]

Cool Stuff 2.0 was really an interesting book. When I first saw this book, I thought that it would be really boring because of the title had 2.0 and that is kind of nerdy and "Cool Stuff" sounds like something an eight year-old would say. Then, I remembered that you should never judge a book by it's cover, so I opened the book. What I saw was amazing! There were the coolest things like the Gecko Pad, which lets you climb up any surface and you stick to it, and then there was the Falkirk Wheel, which is this amazing boat lifter that lifts boats up and down from a canal high up! Chris Woodford really did a good job explaining how these "cool things" worked. Sometimes what books like these have is just a picture of a invention and a big chunk of text explaining the invention, but Chris Woodford does not do that here. In the book, there is one big picture of a cool invention with arrows pointing to different parts of the picture and the arrows go out into a text box and they contain information about the invention. This makes it REALLY easy to follow along and learn about these super cool things. I would recommend this book to people ten and older, unless you are like one of those really smart little kids like they show in the "My Baby Can Read!" Commercials, then you can read this too!

[Efrain Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is the best you can read about technology that will soon arrive and the one that is being created from how it works to how it works.

[Saanvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like a lot of these types of books are uninteresting and dry, but this one was actually interesting.

[Ianm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently reading Cool Stuff 2.0 and How it Works by Chris Woodford and I am enjoying it a ton. So far this is probably one of my all time favorite books along with the first book (cool stuff and how it works) in this series. I can really relate to this book because I have some of these items or have designed something similar (but haven't made prototypes yet) for example I have designed a flying car that uses the same technology as the floating bed and I have Lego Mindstorms. I really enjoy this book because I tend to design things for fun and this book gives me a lot of inspiration for future designs and tells me how everyday objects work so I don't take them apart from curiosity.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I have no talent for science I find it fascinating, and this book takes the me inside our cool technology and shows me how it works. For a non-science newbie like me it's a fascinating curiosity but I could see it being an inspiration for a techie child or teen to try a S.T.E.M. career. Plus it's a DK book so you KNOW the photos and drawings will be awesome.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

From how a jackhammer or a laser works to scateboard simulators to robots that can read and react to human emotions, to a mechanical cat that farts air freshener, here is the inside scoop in full color.

[707Luca · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were so many cool things in this book. Some freaked me out so much, but some were just awesome how they work. I love the world's highest arc in the Grand Canyon. Since I'm afraid of heights, I wouldn't dar to go on it. I just found the material and facts about it really fascinating.

[Astra · Rating 5 out of 5]

It really is cool.

[Parkerc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read because it's full of information, photos and futuristic things. Great for a kid like me (9 yrs old)

[Emily]

this is a very cool book.

[Salokya · Rating 4 out of 5]

You want to know about new breathtaking tech gadgets, here is the book

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun book. It's amazing to see how many things have already been created since its publication.

[Muhammad Shaiel]

i love it

[Rani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have curiosity about a range of things...how they work...Bioplastics to Bodyflight...Awesome book that will engage upper elementary and middleschool readers. Or someone like me!

[Regina Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the toilet and bed!!!!!!