Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things [Paperback]

Charles Panati (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 1989

For lovers of facts, students of popular culture, history buffs, and science enthusiasts, the fascinating stories behind 500 everyday items, expressions, and customs--from Kleenex to steak sauce, Barbie Dolls to honeymoons.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (September 27, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060964197
• ISBN-13: 978-0060964191
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Education & Reference > Fun Facts > Curiosities & Wonders
  • #15 in Books > Education & Reference > Fun Facts > Trivia

More About the Author

Charles Panati is a physicist, and for many years was the science editor of Newsweek. He's published 13 non-fiction books, and two novels, and his most recent novel, a psychological thriller, THE ROCKY HORRORS, is available at the Kindle Store. His 'Browser's Book of Beginnings' was the basis for the TV show THE START OF SOMETHING BIG, hosted by comedian Steve Allen, and written by Panati. In his early twenties, Panati was an escort for several Miss America contestants, and in September of 1965 the girl he escorted, Debbie Irene Bryant, became Miss America of 1966. In his newest fiction, THE ROCKY HORRORS, the science of genetics, one experimenter's hubris, and a seriously dysfunctional family all commingle to produce a story of hair-raising suspense - all concluding in a triple whammy of an ending. One the reader never sees coming. Imagine Alfred Hitchcock meets The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Panati's most recent non-fiction is also a Kindle book: ANIMALS PRAY - In Their Own Way. As a passionate animal lover, Panati has imagined what prayers animals would say to a Heavenly Being, their joys and laments. As well as what kind of Bill of Rights they'd have drawn up, and Declaration of Independence, their Golden Rule, Ten Commandments, Eight Beatitudes, and the like. He calls himself an 'editor' of the book, a confidant and complier, lending his ear as the animals themselves speak their minds.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars trivia at its finest, September 14, 2001

By 

puffinswan "puffinswan" (Brigadoon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things (Paperback)

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.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading., November 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things (Paperback)

I didn't learn this much history in school. It is amazing to learn that customs we practice today have their roots hundreds, even thousands of years ago. Ages high school to 100 will enjoy this book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For The Curious-Minded, This Is What You've Been Looking For, June 14, 2005

By 

Jay Friedman (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things (Paperback)

This review needn't be long, for the title tells it all. Whether you want to know the origin of blue jeans, dental floss or a comb, you'll find it here. Because for some reason or another, I am on an unfulfillable quest to always know more and more, this is the type of book I love, and one I'd recommend more than any of the others I've read.

The book is broken up very nicely into setions so the thoughts are coherent and the content flows. This is actually a book you can read before bed or on the train - rather than others written in similar style, but that are better for reference.

Enjoy.