Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction: Build Implements of Spitball Warfare [Paperback]

John Austin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

PopularMechanics.com selection for one of The Best DIY and Home Improvement Books of 2009 

 

We’ve come a long way from the Peashooter Era: with the advent of modern household products and office supplies—binder clips, clothespins, rubber bands, ballpoint pens, toothpicks, paper clips, plastic utensils, and (of course) matches and barbeque lighters—troublemakers of all stripes have the components needed to build an impressive, if somewhat miniaturized, arsenal.

 

Toy designer John Austin provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for each project, including materials and ammo lists, clear diagrams, and construction tips, for mayhem-loving MacGyvers. The 35 devices include catapults, slingshots, minibombs, darts, and combustion shooters. Build a tiny trebuchet from paper clips and a D-cell battery. Wrap a penny in a string of paper caps to create a surprisingly impressive “bomb.” Several of the projects even include variations where combatants mount laser pointer sights to their shooters to increase their accuracy.

 

Finally, once you’ve built your armory, the author provides plans for a Top Secret Concealing Book to hide your stash, as well as targets for shooting practice. Never let your personal space go undefended again!

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press; Later Print edition (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556529538
• ISBN-13: 978-1556529535
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 0.6 x 6.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Science & Math > Experiments, Instruments & Measurement > Experiments & Projects

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 Cubical Warfare and Prank University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press; Later Print edition (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556529538
• ISBN-13: 978-1556529535
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 0.6 x 6.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 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

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction April 13, 2010

By Kim Childress

Format:Paperback

My son found this in the science section at our local independent bookstore, and I said, "This could be a dangerous book in your hands." (He has an obsession with wanting to blow things up and dismantle electronics.) We split the cost and my husband had a blast building this stuff using items in our junk drawer. I found the book absolutely ingenious. The author is a professional toy designer and also wrote Cubical Warfare, another must-read. In the words of another author/reviewer, William Gurstelle, "One must assert dominion over the desktop. Between the instructions provided in Austin's book and access to your office supply cabinet, you need tolerate no threat to the security of your cubicle."

By my son: This is my new favorite book. These mini-weapons really work. My friends love them and have paid me money to make them the "Simple Cross-bow" and "Concealing Book." I love the "Penny Bomb!" I did extra chores to get mega-supplies (giant bag of rubber bands, paper caps, etc.), and now I have all I need to create these mini "weapons" in a matter of minutes.

Kim Childress, Book Editor, Girls' Life
This and more great books can be found on my person book review web site, (...). Enjoy!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Field Guide to Office Survival September 17, 2009

By D Baz

Format:Paperback

This book is an essential guide to survival in modern day cube warfare. All of the examples in the book are clearly detailed, and can be fabricated with every day items stocked in the supply room closet.

The illustrations themselves help to spark other creative (meaning destructive) ideas. Even if you don't recreate the items, its still a very visually appealing to leave out on the desk, which is sure to generate discussion at the water cooler.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Instructions For Surviving Office Warfare March 19, 2011

By Dr. Bojan Tunguz HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

If you've found yourself stuck in an office, home office, or a cubicle working on some dreadfully boring assignment, or have no assignments coming your way, or that guy Nick from the neighboring cubicle is bugging the living daylights out of you, then this book is for you. It gives very clear graphically intuitive steps for building simple weapons out of materials or supplies that you can find in most offices. Even the ones that are not readily available can probably be purchased from the nearby convenience store during a lunch break. It is absolutely incredible what sorts of weapons you will be able to construct using these simple instructions - coin shooter, tube launcher, clip crossbow, hanger slingshot, paper darts, CD-spindle catapult, match rockets, ping-pong zooka, water bomb, etc. It is assumed that you have at least some dexterity and skill constructing mechanical contraptions; otherwise you'll be stuck throwing paper balls at your coworkers, you tool! Some of the contraptions in this collection are actually dangerous, so proceed with caution when using them. I take no responsibility for any injuries that may result from the use of contraptions that are described in the book. The ones that I've made I only use when no one is around. Just in case.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Birthday Gift for Boys! December 8, 2010

By KidsRUs

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

We received this as a birthday gift for my son (8), and he's been building all sorts of things from this book, and using it to concoct his own designs.

We've got a girl (11), who loves to build things out of the book with her brother. We've got another girl (11) who doesn't care for it, but she's more into girl stuff.

Along with a package of pencils and rubber bands, this has become our standard birthday gift. This is a Toy in a Book form. I highly recommend it!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy More Than One February 18, 2010

By K. Rogers

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book for my nephew for Christmas. It was immediately seized by my brother-in-law and one of his friends who commenced ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the various projectiles and weaponry. Something like "shoelace darts" (I don't know the official title of this weapon in the book, because I never got to hold the book after the big boys got ahold of it) was tried immediately. Apparently, the instructions are easy to follow, even by someone with a few Christmas beers on board.

If you buy this book for someone in a multi-geek household, make sure you buy one for everyone.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Boys will love it July 22, 2011

By darthmolly

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Mini Weapns is a fantastic book that allowes kids to make cool crafts while learning about scientific reasoning. I would recommend that parents do many of these crafts with the kids. Some of the experiments/creations could be dangerous. I would recommend that kids need to be mature enough for this book, in the wrong hands this book could open up a pandoras box of misbehavior in the classroom ;)

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Super fun! August 1, 2010

By SassySkatt

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My family was goin on vacation and I bought this for my husband, our son's and my husbands best friend to do during the down time. We stocked up on super cheap pencils, pens, rubber bands and a few other things. They had a blast! Things were flying everywhere. There were a lot of "wait, wait, watch this! Oh YEA!" going on. It was hilarious. It was such a hit we are looking at getting the office version as well.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wowsers!!! March 1, 2011

By Cortez

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I found this book to be awesome and it really gave me the edge in my current office war. Please use caution as some of these weapons are extremely accurate and deadly. In particular the "BB" pen there are actually several holes in our office walls and one embedded in the back of a co-workers seat. Have fun but always remember what momma used to say "It's all fun and games til someone losses an eye" with this book it's bound to happen. And just as a little bit of info that may come in handy in the future Wal-Mart has eye patches for $2.59.......Happy hunting!!!!

ElCortez