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Mythbusters: The Explosive Truth Behind 30 of the Most Perplexing Urban Legends of All Time
The hosts of the hit television series MythBusters go behind the scenes to provide the real story of thirty of our most baffling urban legends, explaining how they use modern-day scientific principles and methods to document what is fact and what is fiction, in a volume that includes illustrations, photographs, blueprints, and interviews to document the process.
224 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 23, 2020
The fact that their photo insert of the words "final verdict" only said "final verdic" throught the whole book annoyed me greatly otherwise I think it's a great book for debunking and confirming urban legends.
December 8, 2017
An interesting look at some of the earlier myths that they did on the show.
February 20, 2008
When I had cable, I enjoyed watching Mythbusters when I could. The idea of a show that actually tested conventional wisdom--the 5 second rule episode was particularly memorable for me--is pretty cool. So when I tumbled on this in a library search, I figured I'd see how it works as a text.
The answer is, pretty good. There's not quite the excitement because it's not as visual--though the produces of the book have done a pretty good job of spicing up the text with enough pictures to help the reader understand what's going on. It starts with a brief biography of the show's stars, along with how the show got started. Both Hyneman and Savage led interesting lives before getting involved with Mythbusters, with everything they did lending itself to such a show.
The experiments themselves are good ones--everything from Bill Cosby's joking "jump in a falling elevator" idea to escaping from Alcatraz to quite literally finding a needle in a haystack. Each chapter focuses on the conventional wisdom, how to approach the problem, and, of course, whether or not it turned out to be true.
I won't share the results here, but some of them turn out just about as you expect and a few are really surprising. In a few cases, the experiment was repeated to see if it was a fluke, which just goes to show how thorough this team can be when needed.
So if you're interesting in knowing whether, when caught without an umbrella, you should run or walk (the answer might surprise you) or if it's dangerous to get on an airplane with Pamela Anderson, this is a good book for you. This is a nice companion piece to the show or anyone who likes urban legends. (Library, 11/07)
Trebby's Take: A fun read.
The answer is, pretty good. There's not quite the excitement because it's not as visual--though the produces of the book have done a pretty good job of spicing up the text with enough pictures to help the reader understand what's going on. It starts with a brief biography of the show's stars, along with how the show got started. Both Hyneman and Savage led interesting lives before getting involved with Mythbusters, with everything they did lending itself to such a show.
The experiments themselves are good ones--everything from Bill Cosby's joking "jump in a falling elevator" idea to escaping from Alcatraz to quite literally finding a needle in a haystack. Each chapter focuses on the conventional wisdom, how to approach the problem, and, of course, whether or not it turned out to be true.
I won't share the results here, but some of them turn out just about as you expect and a few are really surprising. In a few cases, the experiment was repeated to see if it was a fluke, which just goes to show how thorough this team can be when needed.
So if you're interesting in knowing whether, when caught without an umbrella, you should run or walk (the answer might surprise you) or if it's dangerous to get on an airplane with Pamela Anderson, this is a good book for you. This is a nice companion piece to the show or anyone who likes urban legends. (Library, 11/07)
Trebby's Take: A fun read.
July 7, 2012
I've recently become addicted to this show, mostly because they all look like they've having buckets of fun and their enthusiasm is contagious. So I checked this book out of the library for curiosity's sake.
However, it's basically a recap of 30 episode segments. There was some interesting behind the scenes stuff in the beginning, but the rest of the book was just synopses of the episode experiments. It was particularly interesting to me that they completely edited out the Build Team. For the "Needle in a Haystack" experiment, it was actually Tory Belleci who suggested adding magnets to Adam's Needlefinder device. There are actually pictures of Tory and Kari Byron in this section, but they are not mentioned in the episode synopsis or in the thank-yous listed in the back. Another example is in "The Case of the Exploding Jawbreaker." The synopsis mentions that Adam received a "minor burn on his arm," but it was Mythtern Christine Chamberlain who received more severe burns to her neck and face. In addition, Tory was the one who built the metal teeth
In conclusion, watching the episodes will give you a clearer picture of what went into busting the myth, but if you're just interested in the result, this book will suffice.
However, it's basically a recap of 30 episode segments. There was some interesting behind the scenes stuff in the beginning, but the rest of the book was just synopses of the episode experiments. It was particularly interesting to me that they completely edited out the Build Team. For the "Needle in a Haystack" experiment, it was actually Tory Belleci who suggested adding magnets to Adam's Needlefinder device. There are actually pictures of Tory and Kari Byron in this section, but they are not mentioned in the episode synopsis or in the thank-yous listed in the back. Another example is in "The Case of the Exploding Jawbreaker." The synopsis mentions that Adam received a "minor burn on his arm," but it was Mythtern Christine Chamberlain who received more severe burns to her neck and face. In addition, Tory was the one who built the metal teeth
In conclusion, watching the episodes will give you a clearer picture of what went into busting the myth, but if you're just interested in the result, this book will suffice.
June 30, 2009
This easy to read book takes a behind the scenes look at 30 of the most explosive, surprising and wacky myths or urban legends tackled by the mythbusters. The stunts are explained clearly, with a dash os science thrown in for good measure. Some are sort of mundane -- will coke clean a penny -- while others are a lot more intriguing -- is it possible those convicts really escaped from Alcatraz using a makeshift raft fashioned from raincoats? And some almost defy belief. Who knew you could raise a submerged boat using ping pong balls? It's a quick read, so have some fun spending a little time at the place where science, creativity and testosterone intersect.
August 11, 2016
Expertly assembled and completely fun, reads just like watching a behind-the-scenes version of several episodes of the first three seasons or so of the TV show, to which I am unabashedly addicted. The book is more all-ages than the show, however, so while it goes into additional layers of detail, it is also written in a way that's accessible to middle schoolers on up. So, a good, quick one-day jaunt for fans of the show with a tiny bit extra info, but not a meaty read by any stretch.
December 1, 2010
A fun if sometimes strange read. I enjoyed learning the truth (or falseness) of some of the myths, but it was really amusing to read about the effort and thought they had to put into the experiments.
Each myth stands alone in its own little chapter, so this book is really good for reading in short bursts.
Each myth stands alone in its own little chapter, so this book is really good for reading in short bursts.
July 25, 2011
"This book is basically a write-up of some of the featured experiments shown on the Discovery Channel. Not a bad book by any criteria, but a rehash of something better seen on your television screen than on the printed page: a good accompaniment to the series and definitely not a replacement for it.
December 2, 2012
This is an okay book. I get the feeling one would enjoy it more if one watched the show. The writing is so-so, and the experiments are not as exciting to read about as they likely would be if watched on TV. Probably not a great recommendation for anyone who's not a fan of (and has watched many episodes of) the show.
August 29, 2016
This is a must-read for every Mythbusters fan. This gives some nice backgrounds and extra information about 30 of the experiments that Adam and Jamie have done over the years. Not everything is new, quite a bit of information you can also gather from the TV shows. But the short interviews with producer and hosts are good fun and add some charm to the myths.
June 19, 2007
ever wonder if you can save yourself from a plummeting elevator by jumping just before it hits bottom? or if you can really kill someone by dropping a penny from a skyscraper? read this book!
i like it even more than the tv show.
i like it even more than the tv show.
December 14, 2007
Well then, have you wondered about those myths? Maybe you saw it online, or a friend told it to you? Well, 30 popular myths are going to be busted in this fun book that shows the Mythbusters and their exciting expirements. Brace yourself!
September 8, 2011
A light, fun book, but with enough science to explain how and why a myth was or wasn't busted. Chock full of pictures from the experiments and interviews with the masterminds of the show. Overall, a fast but diverting read and a good sample of what the show is all about.
July 25, 2007
Just watch the show- this isn't nearly as entertaining.
March 1, 2008
I bought a copy in Australia - lent it to a nephew and his flat of 20-somethings kidnapped it for months!
November 15, 2008
My friend got me this book for my birthday a while ago because I was totally into Mythbusters. Although I had already seen many of the episodes, it was good to refresh myself of the facts, ya' know.
January 16, 2009
This is a fun read with some behind-the-scenes details about 30 of the myths from the first couple of seasons. Light but with a ton of interesting urban myth & science trivia.
September 27, 2009
It was a fun book for fans of the series. Good book to encourage kids with science being fun.
July 10, 2009
I didn't get a chance to finish this, but what I read was EXCELLENT! Great pics and their wit is awesome of course!
January 11, 2010
well i didnt like this book just because i didnt like reading about the experments i would rather watch them and see them being done.
August 2, 2010
I enjoyed the history behind how Mythbusters got started. The rest of the book was just OK.
January 17, 2011
a must have for any mythbusters fan! or anyone who loves reading about urban myths. my best friend Jason gave this to me and ive read it a few times over!
April 8, 2011
it was an ok book.. but i dont recomend it to people unless they are super in love with the show
September 21, 2011
I saw this book in the library and I had to grab it. I did enjoy it and it's nice to see how eactly these things would have had to happen if they did, or did they? Love these guys!
June 3, 2012
Entertaining and amusing.
January 8, 2013
One of my students gave me this to read and it was awesome. If you are a fan of the show, definitely check this one out.
April 9, 2014
Nowhere near as entertaining as the show.
April 21, 2015
I think it's a good book but not as good as the show
April 12, 2008
Nothing new and nothing old well presented.
May 27, 2009
this showed a lot of cool stuff
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews