How to Make a Tornado: The Strange and Wonderful Things That Happen When Scientists Break Free

by New Scientist, Mick O'Hare (Contributor)

Science tells us grand things about the universe: how fast light travels, and why stones fall to earth. But scientific endeavour goes far beyond these obvious foundations. There are some fields we don't often hear about because they are so specialised, or turn out to be dead ends. Yet researchers have given hallucinogenic drugs to blind people (seriously), tried to weigh the soul as it departs the body and planned to blast a new Panama Canal with atomic weapons.

Real scientific breakthroughs sometimes come out of the most surprising and unpromising work. How to Make a Tornado is about the margins of science - not the research down tried-and-tested routes, but some of its zanier and more brilliant by-ways. Investigating everything from what it's like to die, to exploding trousers and recycled urine, this book is a reminder that science is intensely creative and often very amusing - and when their minds run free, scientists can fire the imagination like nobody else.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Popular Science, Reference, History

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection from the archives of New Scientist magazine of the weird and wonderful side of science. Just how do collect mucus from a whale to search for bacteria that might infect them? Where is the Higgs boson hiding? How do you go to the toilet in space? How much of a female turkey is needed to get the male of the species aroused? And why are we still waiting for the paper free office? An informative and often hilarious collection that could inspire great things; but is more likely to sit around the smallest room.

[Amanda Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little book full of humorous facts relating to science. It reveals mad inventions, crazy ideas, ridiculous research, the 'yuck' factor, and all that stuff.
The weird facts made me wonder if the author was sane. This astonishing collection is more entertaining than informative, but it is worth an occasional read.

[Book Grocer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchase How to Make a Tornado here for just $8!

A fun, after-work read on the bus or train ride home. Sheds light on the wackier side of science and invention. A great gift for anyone with a thirst for scientific creativity or interest in strange and crazy inventions.

Paul - The Book Grocer

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a really interesting book filled with scientific information about inventions, new ideas and science between sex, love and e.t.c

[Alayne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nowhere near as good as the other books in this series!
I gave up about 80 pages before the end - it was pretty boring really :(

[Eugenia Podkuyko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Якщо коротко, то це потішне чтиво, щоб згаяти час. Деякими історіями зі збірки можна розважити друзів, а окремі факти переслідуватимуть мене ще досить довго (ідеться, звичайно, про пеніс єхидни).

[Okta "Oktushka" N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable light reading. Looks like a collection of the old school newspaper articles that we used to cut out and stick on a board though.

[Harmony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of bits and pieces of wacky science, scientific attempts, and predictions (mostly wrong) from New Scientist magazine over the years. A quick and entertaining read, something for when you're feeling braindead and just need a laugh.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an amusing look at various quirky bits of science. It is a book you can pick up and open at any page where you will find something to entertain. however, it is quite trivial and a bit too flippant in places.

[Connor Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book very entertaining and beyond wacky. They have done a great job in finding the most ridiculous and absurd things scientists get up to.

[karla_k · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amüsantes, Kurioses, Seltsames und noch mehr aus der Wissenschaft. Herrliche Häppchen für zwischendurch, die wahlweise zum Lachen und/oder Stirnrunzeln und/oder Kopfschütteln bringen.

[Boneist · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of the silly things that scientists have seriously researched. As always, this New Scientist book amused and entertained.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok for a quick flick through but nothing to sustain a long read.

[Arty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very Q.I. selection of facts about inventors and their sometimes crazy inventions.

[Lingliang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book on Science History. Well written, quirky snippets from the vast spectrum of scientific discovery.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

834 - 2016