Lateral: Wonderful Answers to Weird Questions

by Tom Scott, David Bodycombe

Based on the hit podcast

A collection of lateral thinking puzzles, half chosen from the best of Tom Scott’s popular LATERAL podcast, half that are original to this book, featuring real-world scenarios with unexpected, fascinating answers. Questions are presented with some helpful suggestions to help you get your thoughts moving in the right direction—but even if you don’t solve the puzzle, reading the solution lets you share in the “aha!” moment, accompanied by fun supplementary details and extra commentary. For example, here's one In 1998, many of the people who bought tickets to the Brad Pitt movie Meet Joe Black walked out of theaters before the film even began. Why? The Because they’d only come to watch the trailer for Star Wars, Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. Reportedly, some cinemas promised to play the trailer a second time at the end of the movie to encourage Star Wars fans to stick around.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Science

240 pages, Paperback

Published November 19, 2024

Reviews

[Margot MacKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a trivia, word game, Jeopardy-loving enthusiast, this read proved a delightful treat. Though I didn't previously have any awareness of the "Lateral" podcast, it's now something on my radar that I intend to check out. As a high school English teacher, I enjoyed sharing some of the questions with my students as "brain breaks" at the beginning or end of class, and I intend to pass my library copy along to my crossword-puzzle fanatic dad, so he can similarly enjoy it before its due date.

[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?

[Ivan Benedict · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is interesting about different kinds of things that happen in the world. Generally, the questions include answers that you will get in three or four or five times and then find out what the real reason for the question is. Although the questions were interesting, I was unable to hardly ever find an answer to the question. Still, it was an interesting time to go through.

[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.