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320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
September 10, 2012
This book has great graphics and had me drooling after just a few pages. The advice/instructions are extremely brief-to the extreme. The medical ones are lacking at times,but I am a nurse, so I am critical. Tourniquets should only be applied as a last resort and only for 15 minutes. To the point where no pulse not felt, below the tourniquet. There are other options not covered in the book, the Red Cross and other Emergency courses do. Again, this is a book for the graphic lovers out there, and it does touch on 100's of topics. I adore this book. There is a second volume out, but I have not seen it.
March 22, 2010
i bought this for the teen non-fiction section because it got on the ALA top ten quick picks for teens list. i have no idea how it got on that list. though it is graphically pleasing, none of the "how to"s actually provide enough information for anyone to carry them out. for example, should i want to (168) treat myself to a home facial, i am instructed to combine avocado with unidentified brown stuff in a jar that has brown blobs on the label. instructive, no? furthermore, since they're trying to keep the text to a minimum, the authors don't explain WHY any of their suggestions work. this is extremely frustrating for the mythbusters generation.
i don't recommend this for any practical purposes. at the most, it's amusing to flip through with the knowledge that one won't actually be using any of the information.
i don't recommend this for any practical purposes. at the most, it's amusing to flip through with the knowledge that one won't actually be using any of the information.
December 16, 2008
Fabulous and informative! This book has it all!
Show me how shows the readers via colorful storyboard illustrations how to do 501 different activities. Activities are broken down into areas such as home, "go", survival and more!
Examples of activities include: sew on a new button, make a no-sew denim skirt, flirt with emoticons, flirt with verticons, lace a corset, tie the Texas rope handcuff (I would call this hog-tying), repel backyard pests, attract friendly critters, meditate for inner peace, rip a phone book in half, shoot a stealthy spitball and much much more!
Show me how shows the readers via colorful storyboard illustrations how to do 501 different activities. Activities are broken down into areas such as home, "go", survival and more!
Examples of activities include: sew on a new button, make a no-sew denim skirt, flirt with emoticons, flirt with verticons, lace a corset, tie the Texas rope handcuff (I would call this hog-tying), repel backyard pests, attract friendly critters, meditate for inner peace, rip a phone book in half, shoot a stealthy spitball and much much more!
April 14, 2009
A book where I love the idea and the fun of it, but the actual content leaves something to be desired. In my opinion, none of the instructions were clear or detailed enough to actually be useful instructions, something that needs to be sacrificed in order to keep top the airplane safety manual style. While nothing was "wrong", the experts involved saw to that, they were "incomplete" enough that I would not take any of these instructions seriously, and just look at it as a fun art type book.
March 16, 2009
ZOMG! This book is freakin' amazing! Get it, you need it for living.
October 28, 2011
Saw this mentioned on an RSS feed and thought I would check it out. I would place this book firmly in the the category of 'edutainment'. It's basically a book filled with infographics on things that you may or may not ever need to know. Some useful, such as treating burns or injuries, self defense moves, or cooking, some maybe useful, such as magic tricks and dance moves, and some downright ridiculous such as how to trick radar systems with a fake UFO or how to breastfeed. Who is reading a book like this to learn how to breastfeed??
Many of the infographics are informative enough to get the lesson taught, but I would like to meet the person who can learn how to Samba from one 4x6 diagram of foot placement pictures, or who can knit after studying the 4 2"x2" panels given as instructions.
One thing that sort of annoyed me was that as a part of the infographics there is a row of icons indicating what materials you will need for a given task. I could not even fathom what some of them were supposed to represent. Then I found a key in the back of the book for all 660 icons used. Why didn't you just save some ink and list the materials in text instead of pictures with a key??
Anyway, kind of a fun book, hopefully if I ever get attacked by a shark I will remember what to do...
Many of the infographics are informative enough to get the lesson taught, but I would like to meet the person who can learn how to Samba from one 4x6 diagram of foot placement pictures, or who can knit after studying the 4 2"x2" panels given as instructions.
One thing that sort of annoyed me was that as a part of the infographics there is a row of icons indicating what materials you will need for a given task. I could not even fathom what some of them were supposed to represent. Then I found a key in the back of the book for all 660 icons used. Why didn't you just save some ink and list the materials in text instead of pictures with a key??
Anyway, kind of a fun book, hopefully if I ever get attacked by a shark I will remember what to do...
December 4, 2012
(More pictures at parkablogs.com)
Show Me How is basically an instructional reference guide that teaches interesting, and sometimes particular, life lessons. Everything is told in pictures and infographics step by step. Look and learn, I guess that's the goal of this book.
There are lessons covering almost all aspect of life, from making stuff to parenting to surviving in a jungle. You'll most likely learn a new thing or two (hundreds probably) from this book. There are 500 things featured.
Want to learn how learn how to create a chain-mail bikini, you can. Fry an egg, you can. How about hugging a hedgehog? Reading body language? Wrestle an alligator? Survive a shipwreck? Dress up like a zombie? Create a beer hat? Well, there are instructions for all of them.
It's a fun and educational book, great for kids and adults.
February 4, 2011
indespensible reference meets coffee table book. this book has TONS of how-to gold from the commonplace (frying and boiling eggs) to the extreme (delivering a baby in a taxi), from the plainly useful (sewing on a button) to the impressively flashy (popping a sweet wheelie). It covers making stuff (weaving friendship bracelets), eating stuff (wrapping temaki sushi), drinking stuff (pairing, opening, and and removing cork bits from wine), having style (mastering the windsor knot), loving (spooning without arm discomfort), nesting (prepping and painting a room), growing and taking care of stuff (clipping a cat's claws), thriving (throwing a four-seam fastball), travelling and camping (toasting grilled cheese on a stick), surviving (throwing an effective punch), and a catergory just called "wow" (escape from a straightjacket). i want to own this both to marvel over and to keep handy. you never know.
January 12, 2009
Wow--I was surprised by how much I liked this! A lot of step by step instructions to perform tasks from the mundane to the never-in-a-million-years variety! In particular, I liked the sections that focused on crafting (potato stamps, origami roses), and the sections that focused on food. (The diagrams that define cuts of meat, and the ones that show what types of wine go with what types of food are invaluable!)
My only caveat, and probably the only thing preventing it from a 5-star review is the extreme reliance on drawings to illustrated how to do things. Often these drawings are so small you aren't able to tell what ingredients, movements, etc. are required to complete the task. Yes, there is a visual glossary in the back of the book, but who wants to flip back and forth?
My only caveat, and probably the only thing preventing it from a 5-star review is the extreme reliance on drawings to illustrated how to do things. Often these drawings are so small you aren't able to tell what ingredients, movements, etc. are required to complete the task. Yes, there is a visual glossary in the back of the book, but who wants to flip back and forth?
March 10, 2014
My weekend plans:
Sew a voodoo doll & use my voodoo doll (tehehe!) CHECK
Stencil stealthy (be like Bansky!) CHECK
Braid challah bread (why not?) CHECK
Pick a caffeinated drink (this is always a hard one!) CHECK
Tie a retro Kelly scarf (who’s Kelly?) CHECK
Read my date’s love line (Bad idea?...) CHECK
Make my tree house extra cool (it’s already cool, but it may need some extra loving) CHECK
WoW!!! This book has everything you could possibly think of!!! The illustrations are impeccable and the easy to follow instruction are phenomenal! This book…it’s like a manual to creating the ultimate human being!!! More so than 007, Indiana Jones, and your future president combined!!
Sew a voodoo doll & use my voodoo doll (tehehe!) CHECK
Stencil stealthy (be like Bansky!) CHECK
Braid challah bread (why not?) CHECK
Pick a caffeinated drink (this is always a hard one!) CHECK
Tie a retro Kelly scarf (who’s Kelly?) CHECK
Read my date’s love line (Bad idea?...) CHECK
Make my tree house extra cool (it’s already cool, but it may need some extra loving) CHECK
WoW!!! This book has everything you could possibly think of!!! The illustrations are impeccable and the easy to follow instruction are phenomenal! This book…it’s like a manual to creating the ultimate human being!!! More so than 007, Indiana Jones, and your future president combined!!
June 25, 2015
Hát, azért ez minden, csak nem hasznos. Sok jópofa life hackre számítottam, inkább hülyeségek vannak benne. Tetszik, hogy nagyon színes, és vannak benne jó koktélreceptek például (amiket nyilván sose fogok megcsinálni :D), de elég volt egyszer átlapozni, nem egy felütöm ha bajban vagyok valami aprósággal típusú enciklopédia.
June 20, 2017
Great tips, there are some stuffs that you've never known before.
August 23, 2024
I got a deal on this in the Google Play book store. The formatting is terrible--on phone and on tablet--rendering the book nigh unreadable. What I can see is cute and informative. I imagine this would be pretty nice in print. As is, the info isn't anything that I couldn't get off of Wikihow, and Wikihow is more readable.
January 17, 2019
This delightful how-to book was such fun to read. Show Me How provides almost completely visual instructions for how to do 500 things, ranging from how to pick up a hedgehog, to how to set up you house for a romantic date, to how pull a dog and cat.
December 21, 2019
Um dos livros mais legais que eu ja comprei.
Comprei num mercado a muito tempo atras, logo quando me mudei pra cidade em que moro hoje em dia e tinha em livros a minha melhor companhia. Nao sei porque mas lembro ate hoje o dia dessa compra.
Comprei num mercado a muito tempo atras, logo quando me mudei pra cidade em que moro hoje em dia e tinha em livros a minha melhor companhia. Nao sei porque mas lembro ate hoje o dia dessa compra.
August 11, 2025
I rediscovered this book while cleaning out my closet. Do I need a DIY guide from 8th grade now that we have Youtube tutorials? No. Will I reread it and keep it for the fun infographics and 2008 nostalgia? Absolutely.
June 14, 2019
Essential.
Clear, concise and very well illustrated tutorials on how to do many basic life skills.
Clear, concise and very well illustrated tutorials on how to do many basic life skills.
October 3, 2020
Funny and helpful I loved this book and have had it for years
November 29, 2020
Useful for any situation from cooking to dancing to crafting. Visuals are great and easy to understand.
March 10, 2021
A set of important skills shown step by step
January 1, 2023
Awesome visual guide to many different things. Perfect coffee table book and always has the kids (and adults alike) picking it up, time and time again
March 15, 2024
Ok, it made me smile a few times, the drawings are funny, the ideas are interesting - though I would not attempt half of it!
June 5, 2015
Fun but ultimately a shoulder-shrug. Graphic instructions on how to do a hodgepodge of things on every subject from cooking, cleaning, and construction to dancing, romancing, and surviving in the wilderness.
The instructions fall into three general categories:
--useful things that you can actually do based on the graphics. For example, I'll use the instructions on how to derust a cast-iron skillet (#73)
--useful things that the graphics are too vague to implement, but serve as idea starters. The ultimate treehouse (#260) is very cool, but I don't think anyone could build a stable and safe one following the rudimentary graphics provided.
--useless things with tongue-in-cheek graphics, obviously (although there are extensive legal disclaimers in the front of the book) intended for a laugh. Human cannonballing (#496) and feeding a tarantula (#283) come quickly to mind.
But using this book as a reference would be frustrating. Each panel or set of panels illustrating the how-to includes a graphic list of the tools needed to complete the instructions. Labeled versions of these small pictographs are in a list at the back of the book, in no discernible order. Many of the pictographs are very similar (there are many different kinds of tape, for example), and there are no labels on them when they are used in the body of the book, so for those instructions that I found interesting and doable, I spend too much time flipping back and forth between the instructions and the pictograph list scanning the pages trying to find the tools the instructions called for. Ultimately, I think I'd give up and just search the internet if I really wanted to follow the instructions.
Nice effort, pretty pictures, some good ideas, and a few chuckles. No more than three stars worth, though.
The instructions fall into three general categories:
--useful things that you can actually do based on the graphics. For example, I'll use the instructions on how to derust a cast-iron skillet (#73)
--useful things that the graphics are too vague to implement, but serve as idea starters. The ultimate treehouse (#260) is very cool, but I don't think anyone could build a stable and safe one following the rudimentary graphics provided.
--useless things with tongue-in-cheek graphics, obviously (although there are extensive legal disclaimers in the front of the book) intended for a laugh. Human cannonballing (#496) and feeding a tarantula (#283) come quickly to mind.
But using this book as a reference would be frustrating. Each panel or set of panels illustrating the how-to includes a graphic list of the tools needed to complete the instructions. Labeled versions of these small pictographs are in a list at the back of the book, in no discernible order. Many of the pictographs are very similar (there are many different kinds of tape, for example), and there are no labels on them when they are used in the body of the book, so for those instructions that I found interesting and doable, I spend too much time flipping back and forth between the instructions and the pictograph list scanning the pages trying to find the tools the instructions called for. Ultimately, I think I'd give up and just search the internet if I really wanted to follow the instructions.
Nice effort, pretty pictures, some good ideas, and a few chuckles. No more than three stars worth, though.
April 3, 2016
A 50 yo & a 16 yo read this together. We both thought it was full of errors, oft plagerized, poorly illustrated, oft confusing, dangerous & illegal...and we did not learn anything useful.
"Research, verification & fact-checking was performed by a host of experts & passionate practioners." What hogwash! Here a couple of examples:
The teen has attended skateboard competitions, and even won 2nd place...I skateboarded before plastic was invented. We both felt the illustrations might describe the process but not the nuances of actually being able to master the skill (which also applies to other skill exercises, esp sports & life-saving)...which could lead to serious injury.
Why should anyone be expected to 'know' how to craft a paper penguin, chug from a boot, tease up a beehive,or make crop circles?
The 'love' section was just, head-shakingly embarrassing...I can see why these people are looking for advice.
Speaking as a Mastered Horticulturalist...one more example; prune a rosebush... Let me just state very simply & succinctly, you have illustrated the pruners reversed from the proper blade position, a common amateur mistake...which causes damage to the prized bush, eventually leading to disease & death.
One of nearly 500 mistakes. All right, I'll be fair, I'm not knowledgeable enough to evaluate all 500...but by the time I'd gotten 1/2 way through the book (which I only finished because it was for a reading challenge), I would not believe a single one, particularly if there was any element of safety involved.
Finally, I quite enjoy infographics. I'm sure some people like these types of illustrations, but I immediately cringed; they appear old-fashioned, but not in a pleasant way. Many times they were utterly confusing. I feel generous giving a full star.
"Research, verification & fact-checking was performed by a host of experts & passionate practioners." What hogwash! Here a couple of examples:
The teen has attended skateboard competitions, and even won 2nd place...I skateboarded before plastic was invented. We both felt the illustrations might describe the process but not the nuances of actually being able to master the skill (which also applies to other skill exercises, esp sports & life-saving)...which could lead to serious injury.
Why should anyone be expected to 'know' how to craft a paper penguin, chug from a boot, tease up a beehive,or make crop circles?
The 'love' section was just, head-shakingly embarrassing...I can see why these people are looking for advice.
Speaking as a Mastered Horticulturalist...one more example; prune a rosebush... Let me just state very simply & succinctly, you have illustrated the pruners reversed from the proper blade position, a common amateur mistake...which causes damage to the prized bush, eventually leading to disease & death.
One of nearly 500 mistakes. All right, I'll be fair, I'm not knowledgeable enough to evaluate all 500...but by the time I'd gotten 1/2 way through the book (which I only finished because it was for a reading challenge), I would not believe a single one, particularly if there was any element of safety involved.
Finally, I quite enjoy infographics. I'm sure some people like these types of illustrations, but I immediately cringed; they appear old-fashioned, but not in a pleasant way. Many times they were utterly confusing. I feel generous giving a full star.
April 21, 2016
How-to book:
Fagerstrom, Derek & Smith, Lauren. Show Me How: 500 Things You Should Know (2008).
This book is fun and instructive. Very clever concept. It is great for exploring information you didn't know you were interested in. Some of the things you may already do daily, but check the instructions anyway because it might show more efficient methods to do things, or expose you to exotic things you never thought about. The chapters are divided into the following basic categories: Make, Eat, Drink, Style, Love, Nest, Grow, Thrive, Go, Survive, and Wow. The how-to’s are separated by type, and in each type you'll find projects to do. There are so many interesting little insights in this book, but there is also some "silly" stuff. I like to look at this as a great jumping off point for fun. Many suggestions for improving your yourself, crafts, and survival make for light and fun reading.
The instructions are pretty simple and don't have a lot of text, so there might be a couple things now and then that you'll want to google for more details, but most instructions are enough on their own to at least get you started. I would recommend this to anyone looking for new life-hacks or creative inspiration because instructions are not detailed enough to be considered a reference book. The quality of the graphics and the breadth of information in this book are astonishing and colorful. It really does cover all aspects of a life, including different life stages (youth, middle age, etc.). I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a fun way of learning.
Target audience: 8+ years.
Fagerstrom, Derek & Smith, Lauren. Show Me How: 500 Things You Should Know (2008).
This book is fun and instructive. Very clever concept. It is great for exploring information you didn't know you were interested in. Some of the things you may already do daily, but check the instructions anyway because it might show more efficient methods to do things, or expose you to exotic things you never thought about. The chapters are divided into the following basic categories: Make, Eat, Drink, Style, Love, Nest, Grow, Thrive, Go, Survive, and Wow. The how-to’s are separated by type, and in each type you'll find projects to do. There are so many interesting little insights in this book, but there is also some "silly" stuff. I like to look at this as a great jumping off point for fun. Many suggestions for improving your yourself, crafts, and survival make for light and fun reading.
The instructions are pretty simple and don't have a lot of text, so there might be a couple things now and then that you'll want to google for more details, but most instructions are enough on their own to at least get you started. I would recommend this to anyone looking for new life-hacks or creative inspiration because instructions are not detailed enough to be considered a reference book. The quality of the graphics and the breadth of information in this book are astonishing and colorful. It really does cover all aspects of a life, including different life stages (youth, middle age, etc.). I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a fun way of learning.
Target audience: 8+ years.
January 9, 2015
I got this book as a christmas gift and part of the present was that I could choose any of the things inside and we'd do/make something together (which made it a great + thoughtful gift). I chose making the little motor, which we're going to do this weekend.
I like the format and the way that the things are organised, but I'm less fussed on the content. A lot of the show-me-how things aren't all that doable from the instructions (because they would require a lot of practice/skill/luck), and others seem (to me) to be filler. On the other hand, they seem to be quite well-researched and accurate.
For example, the last three things in the book are skateboarding moves, 2 of which are quite 70s tricks that no one would really do now, but they are accurately labelled (one specifies that it is an 'old school' version). Although the instructions are clear, it's not as if anyone is going to be able to do those things just from those instructions... or even recognise someone else doing one (apart from the handstand haha).
It was a fun gift, but although we may try out a couple of things, I'm not sure I would look at it again otherwise.
I like the format and the way that the things are organised, but I'm less fussed on the content. A lot of the show-me-how things aren't all that doable from the instructions (because they would require a lot of practice/skill/luck), and others seem (to me) to be filler. On the other hand, they seem to be quite well-researched and accurate.
For example, the last three things in the book are skateboarding moves, 2 of which are quite 70s tricks that no one would really do now, but they are accurately labelled (one specifies that it is an 'old school' version). Although the instructions are clear, it's not as if anyone is going to be able to do those things just from those instructions... or even recognise someone else doing one (apart from the handstand haha).
It was a fun gift, but although we may try out a couple of things, I'm not sure I would look at it again otherwise.
June 16, 2015
A graphical 'book' that really teaches us everyday to exotic stuff. Split into Make, Eat, Drink, Style, Love, Thrive, Go, Survive and Wow sections, it has something for everyone.
I learnt the most from Make, Survive and Go. Make won me over with "Tell time with a Potato clock". Portal 2 inspiration? I would never know, but I have to try to make a Potato Clock myself!
Survive is self explanatory. Not experiencing some of the life-threatening situations does not keep you safe. Knowing how to handle the unknown to you (yet) is the proper way!
Go is just awesome for outdoor enthusiasts. I myself am not one of them and I didn't know most if not almost all of the things mentioned in the section. Definitely a section I recommend to anyone!
At last Wow is a fun finish to this graphical book. It's covering the entertainment factor of our everyday lives and why not have the book show you how to be awesome in doing so?
Overall a great book that is certainly not a one time read. It's best used as a reference guide and look at it when you know it can show you how to do X, Y or Z. Remembering everything - kind of an overkill.
I learnt the most from Make, Survive and Go. Make won me over with "Tell time with a Potato clock". Portal 2 inspiration? I would never know, but I have to try to make a Potato Clock myself!
Survive is self explanatory. Not experiencing some of the life-threatening situations does not keep you safe. Knowing how to handle the unknown to you (yet) is the proper way!
Go is just awesome for outdoor enthusiasts. I myself am not one of them and I didn't know most if not almost all of the things mentioned in the section. Definitely a section I recommend to anyone!
At last Wow is a fun finish to this graphical book. It's covering the entertainment factor of our everyday lives and why not have the book show you how to be awesome in doing so?
Overall a great book that is certainly not a one time read. It's best used as a reference guide and look at it when you know it can show you how to do X, Y or Z. Remembering everything - kind of an overkill.
August 15, 2016
I was bored to death when I started with this book and then I was dead, suddenly this book performed a CPR and I'm alive.
Interesting at many points and dull at some, but the best part is the pictures, after so long, I've seen so many pictures in a book.
It's fun, but at the end it all comes down to the person taste and preference. I enjoyed the last bit of the book (wellness, travel & survive).
What this book holds in all those Colour pictures:- b(~_^)d <--(thumbs up)
1. Make:- art, crafts & projects.
2. Eat:- kitchen tips, cooking & baking.
3. Drink:- cocktails, wine, coffee & tea.
4. Style:- clothing, hair, makeup.
5. Love:- flirting, dating, pet & parenting.
6. Thrive:- sports, wellness & first aid.
7. Go:- Travel, culture, leisure.
8. Survive:- navigation, self defence & wilderness.
9. Wow:- tricks, pranks, stunts & tools.
Etc...
"This book is for the kid inside you" not literally though :].
Interesting at many points and dull at some, but the best part is the pictures, after so long, I've seen so many pictures in a book.
It's fun, but at the end it all comes down to the person taste and preference. I enjoyed the last bit of the book (wellness, travel & survive).
What this book holds in all those Colour pictures:- b(~_^)d <--(thumbs up)
1. Make:- art, crafts & projects.
2. Eat:- kitchen tips, cooking & baking.
3. Drink:- cocktails, wine, coffee & tea.
4. Style:- clothing, hair, makeup.
5. Love:- flirting, dating, pet & parenting.
6. Thrive:- sports, wellness & first aid.
7. Go:- Travel, culture, leisure.
8. Survive:- navigation, self defence & wilderness.
9. Wow:- tricks, pranks, stunts & tools.
Etc...
"This book is for the kid inside you" not literally though :].
July 3, 2012
Author: Derek Fagerstrom
Teton County Library Call #: 640 FAGERSTROM D
Stephanie’s Rating: 5 STARS
My weekend plans:
Sew a voodoo doll & use my voodoo doll (tehehe!) CHECK
Stencil stealthy (be like Bansky!) CHECK
Braid challah bread (why not?) CHECK
Pick a caffeinated drink (this is always a hard one!) CHECK
Tie a retro Kelly scarf (who’s Kelly?) CHECK
Read my date’s love line (Bad idea?...) CHECK
Make my tree house extra cool (it’s already cool, but it may need some extra loving) CHECK
WoW!!! This book has everything you could possibly think of!!! The illustrations are impeccable and the easy to follow instruction are phenomenal! This book…it’s like a manual to creating the ultimate human being!!! More so than 007, Indiana Jones, and your future president combined!!
Teton County Library Call #: 640 FAGERSTROM D
Stephanie’s Rating: 5 STARS
My weekend plans:
Sew a voodoo doll & use my voodoo doll (tehehe!) CHECK
Stencil stealthy (be like Bansky!) CHECK
Braid challah bread (why not?) CHECK
Pick a caffeinated drink (this is always a hard one!) CHECK
Tie a retro Kelly scarf (who’s Kelly?) CHECK
Read my date’s love line (Bad idea?...) CHECK
Make my tree house extra cool (it’s already cool, but it may need some extra loving) CHECK
WoW!!! This book has everything you could possibly think of!!! The illustrations are impeccable and the easy to follow instruction are phenomenal! This book…it’s like a manual to creating the ultimate human being!!! More so than 007, Indiana Jones, and your future president combined!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews