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An Uncommon History of Common Things

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Authors: Bethanne Patrick, John Thompson
Creator: Henry Petroski
Publisher: National Geographic
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$40.00~~
Buy Used: $21.34
as of 3/22/2010 09:18 PDT details
You Save: $18.66 (47%)

New (24) Used (13) from $21.34

Seller: cherrybooks

Media: Hardcover
Pages: 304
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.3
Dimensions (in): 9.6 x 7.2 x 1.3

ISBN: 1426204205
Dewey Decimal Number: 973
EAN: 9781426204203
ASIN: 1426204205

Publication Date: November 17, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Features:

•	ISBN13: 9781426204203
•	Condition: NEW
•	Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Sometime about 30,000 years ago, somebody stuck a sharp rock into a split stick—and presto! The axe was born. Our inquisitive species just loves tinkering, testing, and pushing the limits, and this delightfully different book is a freewheeling reference to hundreds of customs, notions, and inventions that reflect human ingenuity throughout history.

From hand tools to holidays to weapons to washing machines, An Uncommon History of Common Things features hundreds of colorful illustrations, timelines, sidebars, and more as it explores just about every subject under the sun. Who knew that indoor plumbing has been around for 4,600 years, but punctuation, capital letters, and the handy spaces between written words only date back to the Dark Ages? Or that ancient soldiers baked a kind of pizza on their shields—when they weren’t busy flying kites to frighten their foes?

Every page of this quirky compendium catalogs something fascinating, surprising, or serendipitous. A lively, incomparably browsable read for history buffs, pop culture lovers, and anyone who relishes the odd and extraordinary details hidden in the everyday, it will inform, amuse, astonish—and alter the way you think about the clever creatures we call humans.

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 1-5 of 7

1 2 Next »

Interesting! February 12, 2010
A and L's Mom (Naperville, IL USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

If you are a fan of trivia, you'll enjoy knowing the background behind these everyday things. Makes great dinner party conversation!

4 out of 5 stars

good for both 11 year olds and 63 year olds February 10, 2010
Susan (Castle Rock, CO United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I gave this as a gift to my goddaughter and my husband. Both are thoroughly enjoying the trivia and tales. It makes for a lot of "Did you know?" conversations that are both fun and engaging.

5 out of 5 stars

how things work February 3, 2010
AFajardo (palmhurst tx)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

this book has a lot of information, easy to understand on common things of daily living, when they were invented, by whom, etc.

5 out of 5 stars

Uncommon History of Common Things February 1, 2010
Turtle
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Great book! Alot of fun to read! Bought for husband as Christmas present. Lots of interesting and facts and antedotes in this book, worth the money. Will read myself when he gets done!

5 out of 5 stars

Great review of unusual things January 24, 2010
M. Moore (St. Louis)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Full of fun facts about common things you never knew and can use to impress your friends! Easy reading in sections that make reading in short periods very easy. Quality product, prompt shippiing.

Showing reviews 1-5 of 7

1 2 Next »

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