Mental Floss Presents Forbidden Knowledge: A Wickedly Smart Guide to History's Naughtiest Bits

By: Editors of Mental Floss

Book Overview

Think of anything bad, from art heists to Genghis Kahn, and it's likely to be included in this wickedly smart and humorous guide to the seedy underbelly of basically everything. The brainiac team at mental_floss, creators of the hit magazine and last year's Condensed Knowledge, have scoured the darkest, dirtiest corners of history and the globe to gather this ultimate collection of the bad stuff you're not supposed to know and you certainly never...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006078475X
• ISBN13: 9780060784751
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.7" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Such a great book!!!!

As a trivia buff, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves "useless" knowledge. The book is separated into the 7 deadly sins and gives historical examples past & present. Definately a great buy!!!

History's best gossip

I bought this book for something light and fun... My roomates spotted it on the coffee table and I've had to wait in line to read it. You will find yourself laughing out loud and feeling thankful that there are people who went down in history that are more vain, greedy, jealous, and lazy than you! Skim it over if you don't believe me, you won't put it down.

mental_floss keeps me sharp

I've been a mental_floss magazine subscriber from "the early days" and picked up "Condensed Knowledge" as well. So when I saw in a recent issue that a new book was coming, I knew I had to get it. I wasn't disappointed. Where "Condensed Knowledge" added humor and interesting twists to what might otherwise have been mundane information, "Forbidden Knowledge" is perhaps even better because of the subject matter. There are seven chapters, one concerning each of the seven deadly sins. The material is (like the first book) both funny and informative, and the "evil" nature of the subject matter makes it all the more readable. Fortunately, even though the material is more "dark," it never gets mean-spirited or nasty. Seems like most of the history/reference/nonfiction books I see today get a kick out of annihilating specific ideas, or persons, or companies. I'm glad "Forbidden Knowledge" covers the evil side of life without having to put a political or moral judgment on things. It's just plain facts, mixed with fun comments that makes it easier to absorb the material. And with different writers throughout the book, the reading never gets boring. It's almost like an extended version of the magazine, which makes it well worth the price. It's great, though, that it's all-new material and not just reprints of stuff that already appeared in previous issues. Bravo, mental_floss. Never change (unless you want to go monthly, that is). Here's my idea for a third book in the series: "Knowledge Flakes" -- with a cover like a cereal box, filled with stuff about some of the flakiest persons in history. You'd have no shortage of material there!

Perfect for history lovers and for those looking for a laugh

If you love history, this book is for you. As the title suggests, it's full of history's naughtiest bits and the way everything is presented is incredibly entertaining. Each chapter covers a different sin from the 7 Deadly Sins - great stuff on Envy, Lust, Wrath, Sloth, Gluttony, Pride and Greed. If my high school history teacher had taught all this stuff, I'm sure I'd have stayed awake and even enjoyed the class!

Another great read from mental_ floss

I am never disappointed by the work at mental_floss. I have been a long time subscriber of the magazine and have given the book Condensed Knowledge and the trivia board game as gifts. The most recent publication Forbidden Knowledge takes an unusual look at history using the seven deadly sins to organize a unique presentation of several of the least attractive historical (and some recent)characters and events. You will find yourself laughing at the manner in which the material is presented, yet learning as you go. For example in the Pride section you read "I Want to See My Face in It: 5 World Leaders Obsessed with Their Own Images and " A Big Tower? What and Eiffel Idea! 4 Structures Built as Symbols of National Pride. Within Envy "Mom Always Liked you Best: 6 Sets of Mismatched Siblings" and Greed brings us "To the Victors Go the Soils: History's 5 most blatant land grabs". In each of the sections there are 15- 20 of these fun lists and a brief reason why they are included. Forbidden Knowledge is a book that you can read completely in 2-3 hours or have it available whenever you have 5 minutes and simply open to any page.