Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things

Rating:
Summary: Disspelling myths
Review: Actually this book tears down many myths (including the idea that a man named Crapper invented the toilet). As for Versailles, the fact of the matter is (as any historian can tell you) it was largely open to the public and they did, indeed, pee wherever they liked. Perfume was popular note just among the French, but of all people who could afford it, because bathing was frowned upon.



Rating:
Summary: VERY NICE READING
Review: I don't trust very much trivia books. There always seems to be another version for the same fact. Even one of the reviewers of this book take the time to explain HIS version about one of the facts of the book and I'm pretty sure some specialists could do the same for other facts. BUT the plain fact is THIS IS A VERY FUNNY READING, full of details and stories about the time of the fact under examination. So, even if the trivia itself may be wrong, still you learn a lot. And ignorance is blissful. I don't know anybody whose profesional career depepends upon knowing the difference between Asyrian empire and Accadian empire, as long as they are treated with some respect (not like some movies, which flips around the pages of some book and take the first name they come along, even if the choice made is absolutely impossible). History, at last, is not a question of accuracy, but one of good-faith and enjoyment. This book fills that purpose

Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Book That You Never Get Tired of Reading
Review: I found this to be one of the most fascinating and interesting books I have ever read. Flip the book open to any page and learn the history of everyday things we take for granted.

How were Band-Aids invented? When toilet paper was first invented, why did so few people buy it? Who invented the razor blade, or ready-mixed paint? When were toilets invented? How were false teeth made during the civil war? What commonly available fluid did people use to brush their teeth?

Ever wonder where the expression "give the cold shoulder" came from? The custom of shaking hands? All of these mysteries and hundreds more are masterfully revealed by Panati.

I love to read a few passages before bed -- that's the beauty of this book. You can pick it up and put it down over and over again.

Well written, thoroughly researched, and told with wit and economy, this book is a great read for anyone with a curiousity about life, culture and civilization.

Rating:
Summary: Questionable Facts
Review: I have bought this book 3 times in many years and lose it to friends. It is educational and fun to pop out the origins when at work and someone is wondering where something came from or how a phrase got started. You can read for days if you could keep yourself up that long and then go back and read again.

Rating:
Summary: Questionable Facts
Review: I heard Panati speaking on the TV show "Modern Marvels" last night, and he repeated as fact the old myth that the palace at Versailles did not have so much as a single working toilet, and that guests would have to relieve themselves in the stairwells, which caused quite a stench and was the reason why the French people of the era used so much perfume. This absurd myth is easily disproven by a simple visit to Versailles, where the tour guides will readily show you the toilets of the era (while wondering aloud why so many American tourists have been misinformed). The idea that the sophisticated French elite of the day would relieve themselves in stairwells is also rather absurd on its face. I was amazed to see Panati repeat that hackneyed myth with such earnestness. I would have a hard time believing anything written in a book by someone who seems to state myths as facts. Another reviewer (who actually read the book), noted other factual distortions. Come on, Panati!! This stuff isn't so hard to get accurate!

Rating:
Summary: trivia at its finest
Review: If you enjoy trivia and unusual
facts, then Charles Panati's
Extraordinary Origins of
Everyday Things, is the perfect
book. I have read other trivia books and I can say without
hesitation that Mr. Panati produces the best of the genre.
Many trivia books list a dry and uninspired fact sheet.
Panati, however, avoids this common pitfall and instead
entertains us with unusual and well researched trivia about
the history or origin of many everyday items and customs.
His books are formatted into logical chapter groupings
that easily flow from one topic to another. The book
is a pleasure to read and it teaches you in a pain free
style, answering questions that until now you couldn't find
answers for! Panati's words will both enlighten and
enchant you.

Rating:
Summary: Great for a Christmas grab bag gift.
Review: One of the surgeon's I work for recommended this book so I bought several for grab bag gifts for Christmas.

It is a really fun gift for anyone.

Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Book That You Never Get Tired of Reading
Review: Step by step explanation how many of the things from the past came to be. It sits on the bookcase with it's dogged eared pages, ready to be used again and again for what ever information one of the family would like to know. Be it about an everyday items in the house, something heard on the TV, read in the newspaper or a book. This book hasn't missed. (Makes me wonder what will be in the second version.)

Rating:
Summary: My All-Time Favorite Book
Review: This was a gift to me from my parents well over ten years ago and is a book I still read occasionally. Believe it or not, it represents the single most important positive influence in my education. I realize that most first time readers will not be impressionable elementary-school children like I was, but I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't be able to find this book an enjoyable read.