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Armchair Reader The Origins of Everything
Anthropologist George Dorsey said, Play is the beginning of knowledge. Armchair The Origin of Everything takes this dictum seriously, digging into the origins of hundreds of things people, places, concepts, names even stuff that doesn t exist except in the imagination.
Some
Kitty litter, and how its invention turned cats from outdoor pets into indoor members of the family
The fork, which has suffered through many eras when it was considered low-class (reminiscent of a pitchfork used to feed a horse) or too diabolical (the devil s instrument)
The knuckleball, hotpants, FM radio, and Spam
Origins in the broader sense, like a long list of real names of the rich and famous
Mother s Day, and why its inventor lobbied against its celebration
A breakfast cereal that was invented with the aim of inhibiting sexual desire
Armchair The Origin of Everything contains more than 500 pages of carefully researched, eminently readable mini-essays that range from The Secret Origin of Comic Books to America s First Skyscraper. It s an entertaining and informative addition to the wildly popular Armchair Reader series.
Some
Kitty litter, and how its invention turned cats from outdoor pets into indoor members of the family
The fork, which has suffered through many eras when it was considered low-class (reminiscent of a pitchfork used to feed a horse) or too diabolical (the devil s instrument)
The knuckleball, hotpants, FM radio, and Spam
Origins in the broader sense, like a long list of real names of the rich and famous
Mother s Day, and why its inventor lobbied against its celebration
A breakfast cereal that was invented with the aim of inhibiting sexual desire
Armchair The Origin of Everything contains more than 500 pages of carefully researched, eminently readable mini-essays that range from The Secret Origin of Comic Books to America s First Skyscraper. It s an entertaining and informative addition to the wildly popular Armchair Reader series.
504 pages, Paperback
Published August 28, 2009
4 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 12, 2015
A few years ago, a friend of mine gave me this book. Can't say exactly why she picked it for me, but it has been fun to open up during those few minutes between innings or time outs, commercial breaks, or other times when some two or three minutes need to be filled.
There are all sorts of interesting and quirky beginnings in this book. Been good to have it around and find something to start a conversation.
There are all sorts of interesting and quirky beginnings in this book. Been good to have it around and find something to start a conversation.
April 1, 2011
I'm probably the only person in the world who sat down with this book and read in order from start to finish. And I was pooping 90% of the time I read it. Definately good. Most entries are about as long as my average dump, and sometimes the next entry was so engaging that I sat on the toilet even longer, even though I was done, just to finish reading it. I say buy it if you like to poo.
May 18, 2016
Interesting...Tidbits of info an wide range of subjects . Lots on entertainment which I don't care for.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews