Lateral: 100 Fiendish Questions to Make You Think Differently

by Tom Scott, David Bodycombe

"David Bodycombe has one of the most devious minds I've ever encountered" - Victoria Coren Mitchell, author and host of Only Connect

"The only quiz book where it’s mildly disappointing when you know an answer because you don’t get the satisfaction of working it out" - James Harkin, creator and host of No Such Thing As A Fish

From hit YouTuber Tom Scott comes a new type of quiz book – but can you outsmart the questions?

Why do Australians with swimming pools always make sure there’s a float available, tied to a nearby tree? Where in London might you find a regularly scheduled passenger train that nobody will ever board? And why was the small Californian town of Yreka once famous for its local bread supplier?

Welcome to Lateral – where curiosity meets creativity and thinking differently is the only way forward. Each of the 100 questions enclosed within these pages isn’t what it seems at first, and has been designed to make you think outside the box in order to answer it.

Whether you’re in the mood for a solitary challenge, or you’re looking for the next big hit for game night, Lateral is the perfect companion for anyone who loves to think outside the box – or just enjoys a fascinating conversation.

"Excellent, sideways-thinking fun" - Matt Parker, bestselling author of Humble Pi and Love Triangle

"Mind-melting, hilarious good fun - the perfect addition to a games night" - Jack Chesher, bestselling author of A Guide for Curious Wanderers

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Science

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2024

Reviews

[VivaLaSam · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like the podcast, you'll like this book. I read it on my own, but if you have willing friends, I imagine it would make for a great group activity.

If you're unfamiliar with the podcast but like good lateral-thinking puzzles, you'll also like this book.

Each question and answer also comes with about a page of related trivia which can be a fun bonus.

[AJ Stoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't really know what this book was all about until we sat down and focused on it. It's really a game. Bill and I enjoyed playing the game together as a time passer when we did not have any internet or other distractions. Sometimes we gave the questions a thumbs up and other times we thought what the huh?

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. Most of the questions were really interesting. Though a few of the questions felt like felt kind of lame. it is nice that you can read just one or two as you have time. Also the answer are just on the next page so you don't have to flip to the end.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and enjoyable. I knew far less than I might have hoped. But there were a few I got right away, which made me happy.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s ok as a conversation starter but not that substantive of a book. The questions are supposed to be head-scratchers but they are pretty easy.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

the way I found this book could’ve been a lateral question itself. perfect for anyone who loves falling down Wikipedia or YouTube rabbit holes.