Great Mythconceptions: The Science Behind the Myths [Paperback]

Karl Kruszelnicki (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2006

As a celebrity scientist with regular weekly radio and television programs in Australia and the United Kingdom, Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki has heard a galaxy full of questions related to modern science.

Do lemmings actually jump off cliffs? (They don't.) Did we really go to the moon? (Of course.) Does chocolate give you zits? (Never has. Never will.) Did Einstein fail school? (Nope.)

Dr. Karl has labeled this endless stream of questionable queries Great Mythconceptions. Now, in his book of the same name, the good doctor seeks to set inquisitive minds straight on the most intriguing questions he's been asked.

Does the soul weigh 21 grams?

Can you apply a mathematical code to the Bible to predict future events?

Do we really use only 10 percent of our brain?

Does a duck's quack echo?

Can mosquitoes really infect you with the AIDS virus?

The funny facts and dizzying discoveries in Great Mythconceptions answer countless questions that have been asked for years. The book also features humorous black-and-white illustrations that reinforce each revelation. Each section concludes with bonus tidbits that delve deeper into related aspects of each question.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Scientist Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki is a renowned author and commentator on Australian radio and television. Known as Dr. Karl by fans, he writes a weekly column for the Sydney Morning Herald on scientific "mythconceptions." In 2002, Harvard University awarded him the Ig Noble Prize for his research on belly button lint.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740753649
• ISBN-13: 978-0740753640
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #518,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr Karl Combats Many Household Myths in This Hilarious Read!, September 2, 2006

By 

James N Simpson (Gold Coast, QLD Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Great Mythconceptions: The Science Behind the Myths (Paperback)

Old wives tales and many myths that have been retold so much that many came to believe them as fact are put to rest by Dr Karl. Learn that the toilet seat is actually cleaner than the average work desk. Goldfish actually have a good memory, that fans don't really cool a room, that Mt Everest is only the fourth highest mountain in the world and that Mt Chimborazo actually points further away from the core of the planet and further into space. These and many other fascinating facts are told with Dr Karl's unique brand of humour thrown in.

If you like the TV show Mythbusters then you'll love Dr Karl, who was doing this sort of thing in Australia long before myth busting become popular on America TV! In fact this book has been published and entertaining Australians for years before the Aug 2006 date it obviously was released in America.