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An Uncommon History of Common Things |  | Authors: Bethanne Patrick, John Thompson
Creator: Henry Petroski
Publisher: National Geographic
Category: Book
List Price: $40.00
Buy Used: $15.85
as of 7/29/2010 20:52 CDT details
You Save: $24.15 (60%)
New (31) Used (23) from $15.85
Seller: jdhippos
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 60022
Media: Hardcover
Edition: First Print
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
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| Features:
| • | ISBN13: 9781426204203 | | • | Condition: New | | • | Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed |
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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.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 8
Uncommon History of Common Things February 1, 2010
Turtle
5 out of 6 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!
Interesting! February 12, 2010
A and L's Mom (Naperville, IL USA)
2 out of 3 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!
book June 4, 2010
Sandra J. Cancro
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is a gift for my dad--it sounds interesting, I hope he likes it!
History Lover January 7, 2010
John Macneil (Colorado Springs, Co)
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is one of the most interesting books I have ever read. One would never expect the origins of some of the things we use every day.
Great review of unusual things January 24, 2010
M. Moore (St. Louis)
1 out of 3 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 8
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