Moving Heavy Things

by Jan Adkins

The almost forgotten craft of shifting large weights with brains instead of engines. Beginning with practical rules for moving like Get the Ming vase out of the Room. All the way out, and What goes up comes down heavier. This is a fascinating description of applied physics in the real world. If you move engine blocks, concrete mooring sinkers, or nothing heavier than this book from table to lap, you'll enjoy the encouraging narrative and the precise drawings. Not everyone moves coffins with marbles or sheet steel with baseballs, but you might very well find an idea to help you move Uncle Harry's monstrous bathtub out of the basement, or a reluctant oak stump out of the yard.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

47 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Jan Adkins is an author, illustrator, designer, storyteller, and explainer. Most of his life he has unraveled snarls, straightened paths, and made a clearer understanding of complex and subtle matters. He has published more than 45 books, many of them non-fiction for young people. He was associate art director for National Geographic Magazine, 1980-88, researching and explaining science, medicine, technology and archaeology to its millions of readers. It was a job described by his editor-in-chief as “getting a doctorate every third month.” He taught editorial illustration at Rhode Island School of Design and at Maryland Institute College of Art. He has a regular 8 pp feature, “Getting Started In Boats,” in WoodenBoat Magazine and contributes often to several sailing magazines. He’s delighted to be a member of the iNKthink team that produces nonfictionminute.com (quick, check it out!). He’s one of the Eisterhold Associates (Kansas City, MO) designing and producing museum exhibits. A great deal of his satisfaction lies in nurturing and herding his 3 grandchildren in Gainesville, Florida, where he lives, and his 2 grandsons in Washington, DC. He walks, canoes, cycles, sails, and cooks, but his neighbors don’t know exactly what business he’s in. On Friday evenings you will often find him holding forth at an outdoor table with friends at his son-in-law’s Cypress & Grove Brewing Company, his version of Rick’s American Cafe.

Reviews

[Celty's_heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a favorite of mine since I purchased it on sale at the now defunct Kroch's & Brentano's book store.
To me, it is much more than a book on physics. It is a work of deep thought about the countless ways that we can move objects which appear immovable. It is about the mindset we take when we face a task that seems impossible.
I am always inspired by the vast knowledge contained in its 47 pages.
Its a source of inspiration for living.

[Johann Steinke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book! It has helped me out in my everyday life when I have had to move heavy things. This well-illustrated book is clear, concise, fun, smart, and will also make you really appreciate the past and how much people had to work with their brains, brawn, and environment to make things move. I would recommend it for anyone!

[Robs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to have around, even if just moving everyday items...

[Jenn Gazdecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book with easy to understand examples and illustrations. I’d recommend it to adults and children alike. There’s something for everyone.

[Terry]

This is an informative and enjoyable read. Lots of nascent practical science experiments and fun-filled learning experiences are waiting to escape from the pages of this book.

The graphics will stir the curiosity of the readers o go out in the backyard and test some of what they have read.

[Stephanie R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short.