Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction 2: Build a Secret Agent Arsenal [Paperback]

John Austin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2011 | Age Range: 8 and up

If you’re a budding spy, what better way to conceal your clandestine activities than to miniaturize your secret agent arsenal? MiniWeapons of Mass Destruction 2 provides fully illustrated step-by-step instructions for building 30 different spy weapons and surveillance tools, including:

* Paper Dart Watch                 * Pen Blowgun

* Rubber Band Derringer          * Mint Tin Catapult

* Pushpin Dart                          * Cotton Swab .38 Special

* Toothpaste Periscope            * Paper Throwing Star

* Bionic Ear                             * And more!

Once you’ve assembled your weaponry, the author provides a number of ideas on how to hide your stash—inside a deck of cards, a false-bottom soda bottle, or a cereal box briefcase—and targets for practicing your spycraft, including a flip-down firing range, a fake security camera, and sharks with laser beams.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One must assert dominion over their desktop. Between the instructions provided in John Austin's book and access to your company's office supplies cabinet, you need tolerate no threat to the security of your cubicle."  —William Gurstelle, author, Absinthe & Flamethrowers and Backyard Ballistics

"We love this MacGyverization of office supplies, and the book is probably the perfect Christmas gift for the man who has nothing, or the cubicle monkey in your life."  —Charlie Sorrel, Wired.com

"Mini Weapons is the Holy Grail: a beautifully illustrated guide for making all manner of miniature munitions, from slingshots and catapults to mines and bazookas, with supplies that can be found in any household, office, or classroom."  —Gizmodo.com

"Learn how to build an arsenal of weapons from office supplies and junk-drawer items in an effort to annoy your coworkers, family and friends."  —Draft Magazine

"Cubicle farms are full of enemy combatants begging to be taken out."  —Wired Magazine

"These inexpensive ideas are fun for all ages and can inspire the kid in all of us."  —Appleton Post Crescent

"Take your cubicle wars past the archaic stage of just spitballs and elastic bands with John Austin's book, Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction."  —OhGizmo.com

"Nothing inside that will land you on the FBI watch list. (We dont think)."  —Urbandaddy.com

About the Author

John Austin is a professional toy designer and author of MiniWeapons of Mass Destruction: Build Implements of Spitball Warfare and So Now You’re a Zombie.

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (October 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569767165
• ISBN-13: 978-1569767160
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Gardening
  • #6 in Books > Science & Math > Experiments, Instruments & Measurement > Experiments & Projects

More About the Author

John Austin worked as a senior toy designer in the Boy's Research and Development Department at Hasbro Toys. His principle area of expertise was the creative process of new product development. During his initial five years, he worked on popular brands like; Transformers, Star Wars, Iron Man, Spiderman, Jurassic Park, Tonka and Gi Joe. Skilled in 3D computer modeling, illustration and creative thinking, he brings many of these talents to the creation of his book projects, as well as ever-increasing market awareness for each individual product he works on.

For more information, fun free content and downloads, visit johnaustinbooks.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sequel to the first book November 20, 2011

By Shala Kerrigan TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction 2: Build a Secret Agent Arsenal by John Austen is the sequel to Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction.

If you haven't read either of them, they contain instructions to build all sorts of neat weapons that are meant for "office warfare". I've never worked in an office with that kind of office warfare but I really like both books.

I really don't recommend this at all for kids or adults who are liable to shoot the weapons at each other.

I'm a fan because of interesting projects built out of easy to find office supplies. The emphasis is firmly on safety. You are reminded to wear safety glasses and given ideas for targets to fire at instead of firing the projectiles at people.

As a firm believer that fun examples make it easier to remember basic math and science principles, these books go hand in hand in my family with discussions about things like Newton's Laws of Motion, and how they apply to projectiles. We get to build things and compete with each other for accuracy shooting at targets.

In this sequel, the guns and weapons are powered by balloons and rubber bands. They are made to look like models of real guns. Not realistic looking enough to be scary, but realistic looking enough to make most young men and women who are interested in such things happy. Most of the projects call for hot glue and craft knife use, so supervision may be necessary.

The ammo for these is creative and inexpensive. Candy, mini-marshmallows, pennies and even cotton swabs.

In this book, other than the weapons, there are also projects for spy equipment like projects that can be used safely by kids or adults. A periscope made from CDs and toothpaste box, cipher wheel are some examples, lots of ideas for concealed storage. All of it built from inexpensive components. Those projects alone make this book well worth it to me.

Everything is well illustrated with good diagrams, and while you're building, you can see the principle behind how it works. Lots of the supplies can be garnered from things you'd ordinarily throw away.

It's a hit with my whole family. My daughter likes the Concealment chapter, my son thinks the whole book is wonderful and is already planning modifications of some of the designs in it. My husband and I appreciate how clever the designs are, and how much fun we have as a family with making them and competing with them.

The last chapter is full of wonderful target ideas like a laser shark, a fake security camera, some regular paper targets and a cute octopus target made from a balloon.
My favorite projects in the book are the soup can safe, the gift card coin launcher, and the code wheel.

[I received a complimentary copy of the book to review on my craft blog- Don't Eat the Paste. My reviews are always my honest opinion]

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for the office grind. January 5, 2012

By MD

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great ideas for office "wars." This makes you look like a pro when the rubber band wars break out! Building takes a little practice but anyone that has a Lego background should have no problem!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars move over nerf March 13, 2012

By strawberry letter 23

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great for 10 yrs. and up. Easy to follow instructions.you don't have to go out and buy supplies to make these fun gadgets. You will have everything you need just laying around the house. Breeds creativity. I highly recommend.