A pocket-sized book of wisdom based on the bestselling phenomenon, The Dangerous Book for Boys, this portable edition includes some favorite activities from the original book, along with some even more dangerous new ones! With everything from how to win at poker, to how to make a paper hat, from skipping stones to writing a note in secret ink, the Pocket Book of things to do will appeal to all men and boys with an appetite for danger!
I was born in the normal way in 1971, and vaguely remember half-pennies and sixpences. I have written for as long as I can remember: poetry, short stories and novels. It’s what I always wanted to do and read English at London University with writing in mind. I taught English for seven years and was Head of English at St. Gregory’s RC High School in London by the end of that period. I have enormous respect for those who still labour at the chalk-face. In truth, I can’t find it in me to miss the grind of paperwork and initiatives. I do miss the camaraderie of the smokers’ room, as well as the lessons where their faces lit up as they understood what I was wittering on about.
My mother is Irish and from an early age she told me history as an exciting series of stories – with dates. My great-grandfather was a Seannachie, so I suppose story-telling is in the genes somewhere. My father flew in Bomber Command in WWII, then taught maths and science. Perhaps crucially, he also loved poetry and cracking good tales. Though it seems a dated idea now, I began teaching when boys were told only girls were good at English, despite the great names that must spring to mind after that statement. My father loved working with wood and equations, but he also recited ‘Vitai Lampada’ with a gleam in his eye and that matters, frankly.
I’ve always loved historical fiction as a genre and cut my teeth on Hornblower and Tai-Pan, Flashman, Sharpe and Jack Aubrey. I still remember the sheer joy of reading my first Patrick O’Brian book and discovering there were nineteen more in the series. I love just about anything by David Gemmell, or Peter F. Hamilton or Wilbur Smith. I suppose the one thing that links all those is the love of a good tale.
That’s about it for the moment. If you’d like to get in touch with me leave a comment in the forum or you can tweet me @Conn_Iggulden. I’ll leave it there for the moment. If you’ve read my books, you know an awful lot about the way I think already. There’s no point overdoing it.
I have read this book around 100 times and and I am just amazed at how it teaches me something new every time from knots and games to how you build a tree house. This book is AWESOME!!!!!!!!
The size abs cover design is good. That is the only good thing I have to say about it.I can’t understand who this book is geared towards as the majority of the projects require an adult and loads of experience and expensive tools. In addition a large portion of the book is geared towards teaching the boys poker. The writing is poor, the illustrations are abominable the instructions inadequate. A giant waste of time.
Dear Mrs.Myers I loved the book! Their is so many choices to choose from,I didn't know what to do first.So I settled on learning knots.It is very help full,Especially in Boy Scouts or while hunting. but while their is things I have done their is things I haven't done but would love to.Such as making candles and making a quill pen.I want to do the candles because it sounds fun and is also an easy Christmas present.I would like to do the quill pen because it would be awesome!
I don't really get the whole 1950's sexism vibe of this book. All boys should carry a handkerchief for various practical reasons and to give to a girl if she's crying?! What? Clearly the author voted Brexit. Anyway setting that nonsense and the stupid title aside there are some fun practical ideas in this book which I will look forward to doing with my boys when they're older. Perhaps followed by some equality talks.
An interesting little book although most of the "Things to Do" are not things to do on a frequent basis and some not at all. It taught some quick and easy fun little games to play and how to build a treehouse, but to me, the rest seemed not interesting or important.
Buy the pocket guide but then order the large copy for home. Not just for boys, this book is choc full of great information that every single boy should know. My son never gets bored with it. He even reaches for it for answers when working on school projects-
Great miniature version of the bigger "brother" The Dangerous Book for boys. This compiles small chapters on great ting to do as well as First Aid and other things. Excellent.