The Quirks & Quarks Question Book: 101 Answers to Listeners' Questions

by CBC

Book Overview

- Is there really such a thing as a blue moon? - What time is it at the North Pole? - Why don't woodpeckers get concussed? - Why don't snorers wake themselves with the racket they make? - Do insects... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0771054483
• ISBN13: 9780771054488
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Pop Science at its Best

First, Quirks and Quarks is a great radio show on CBC radio. So in line with the quality of that production you have this wonderful book that addresses everyday questions that are not that intuitive to answer. A good example is the question about catching the same cold twice. I read the answer one morning and that very evening at a meeting someone mentioned that they caught the same cold twice. I pointed out with authority that he could not have caught the "same" cold twice, based on Dr. Kathryn Wright's answer to that very issue. All the answers to the questions are presented by academic experts who just seem like your next door neighbor, or in some cases someone you would want living next door to you. Now, you don't make too many friends going around acting like you know everything so I would suggest that the book be used with caution in this respect. On the other hand it is a wonderful tool to work with your children on answering their perplexing questions. Though, one deficiency is the lack of an index. With this book you may not have to tell your child to go and ask your spouse for the answer as to why the wheel that just fell off your axel is running ahead of the car. You can also have science night with your kids (probably 8 years old and up) and on a regular basis read one of the questions and then the answer. A discussion would follow and maybe some follow-up effort if need be. But the responses are presented in laypersons terms and does not require a PhD. It really can be a family event that teaches everyone a little more about this miraculous world we live in. The bottom line is that the information in this book is interesting, approachable and just down right fun.