When Did Wild Poodles Roam the Earth?: An Imponderables Book

by David Feldman, Kassie Schwan (Illustrator)

The author of the best-selling Why Do Clocks Run Clockwise? presents his sixth collection of answers to ordinary puzzles, such as why orange juice tastes terrible after brushing your teeth. 125,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Trivia, Reference, Language

297 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

He holds a bachelor's degree in literature from Grinnell College, and a master's degree in popular culture from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He consults and lectures on the media. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and fascinating book, though I really wish I could remember even a tiny fraction of the stuff I read.

[Dan Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable book on Feldman's Imponderables that can be read all at once, or over a long period of time, ( i.e. bathroom book). Why did I just have to buy it you may ask? Here is the hook that got me, "wild poodles, roaring across the savanna like thunder, a famished, snarling pack of them advancing inexorably upon some heedless dinosaur prey...they are bloodthirsty , they are savage, they are shaggy..." That and the Thurber like cover art of the alert aggressive hunting pack of pom-pomed terrors sold me right on the spot. Yep, as we say here in East Tennessee, "I just ain't right".

Quit enjoyable and a good informative read in the same model as Feldman's, " Do Penguins Have Knees?" and , "Why Do Clocks Run Clockwise". A collection of numerous things that make you go....Huuummmmm. While David Feldman's books may never answer the eternal question of, "What is the meaning of Life?", they will answer just about all the others.
Again, a highly enjoyable and informative read, recommended !

[Remo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entretenidísima recopilación de respuestas a preguntas imporantísimas de la vida como "¿Por qué los pintores de brocha gorda tieneden a vestir de blanco?", "¿Por qué las pilas son cilíndricas pero las de 9V son rectangulares?", "¿Hacia donde miran los ojos cuando dormimos?", "¿Por qué nos graduamos con toga y birrete?" y unas cuantas decenas más. El estilo del autor es muy ameno y fluido, además del obvio interés que todas las preguntas poseen para las almas sensibles. El resultado es un libro entretenidísimo que puede leerse de una sentada o en sucesivas visitas al Sr. Roca. Todo son ventajas.

[Lesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids really enjoyed the audio version of this book. The quiz format is fun.

[Livvy Shafer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and interesting

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that's full of answers to questions that it probably would never occur to you to ask, and yet when you see them in print you find yourself thinking, "Hm, I wonder why that IS".

[Steve Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this slightly silly 90’s era audiobook for kids and actually liked it. Adults will find themselves challenged by the questions. I learned something from it.

[B. Barron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some bits are a little outdated, but overall fun!

[Alger Smythe-Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nostalgic 5 stars from me.

The syndicated Imponderables column was an anchor for me throughout the period of my life when I was roaming the country. In nearly every good sized city there was a weekly free newspaper, and somewhere in that paper would be David Feldman's wry Q&A column lodged somewhere among the Singles section of the classified ads.

Unfortunately for Feldman and the Imponderables, the internet has replaced the niche environment of his column, and the world has entirely passed his answers by. The questions about the US Postal Service and landline telephone service now feel like an archeology of the recent past, while half of the brand names and pop culture references he throws out are barely remembered today.

Interestingly, David Feldman has adapted to the post-AOL age and continues to thrive as an author and answer guy. He just doesn't publish as much in these post Barnes and Nobles age,

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book answers the pressing questions of our time, such as, Why is there no Betty Rubble character in Flintstones vitamins? Has anyone ever seen a live Cornish Game Hen? Why are nine volt batteries rectangular? In what direction are our eyes facing when we are asleep? Why can't you find English muffins in England? And this book, apparently was the 6th in a series of books that heledp us understand our universe. It's old (1992) so the author probably isn't around anymore, but there are questions I would submit if I could. What would you want to know?

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has answered many questions for me and prompted many more. It's truly fascinating and well written.

[DaughterDaDa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very light reading. Provides background answers about some of life's little questions about why things are the way they are. Something to get the mind moving in the morning.

[Lisa Huston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book!

[Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun. A bit out of date, but a great collection of random explanations for daily life.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this during a recent road trip. A fun, informative and entertaining listen that turns your car ride into a game show. Appropriate for all ages.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, random facts with some humor thrown in, but starting to get a little outdated.

[Tori]

2008-Eh-okay. Sort of a ""bathroom book."" Also it was a bit outdated.

[Georgene · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to read before bedtime. Fun, amusing but not so gripping you can't put it down.