Rules of Thumb: A Life Manual (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A mix of folk wisdom, common sense, shared experience, the advice of experts, and the kind of group think that's made websites like Wikipedia so vital, Rules of Thumb is the impulsive compendium of 1,000 general principles that apply to every facet of life. Collected by Tom Parker for over 25 years, these are rules that are practical, quirky, and as entertaining to read as they are relevant to the reader.

There's a rule of thumb for just about every subject imaginable— money, marriage, cooking, health, weather, cars, gardening, restaurants, travel. This is the priceless knowledge that's accumulated not from reading, but from living. Tempted by a string of pearls at a yard sale? Rub them against your teeth: The rule of thumb, as your grandmother might have told you, is that a genuine pearl will grate. Not sure how to choose a puppy? Pick one whose tail wags in sync with its walk—a sign of calmness. To win at blackjack, assume that any unseen card is an eight. And remember, a rule of thumb works four out of five times (including this one).

About the Author

Tom Parker is an author and illustrator who has written three volumes of Rules of Thumb, which The Wall Street Journal called a "brilliantly successful sample of our hidden intellectual resource." He is an IT specialist at Cornell University, a contributing writer for Make magazine, and a flight instructor. He lives in Ithaca, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 409 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company; illustrated edition edition (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761150730
• ISBN-13: 978-0761150732
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #109,870 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!, December 31, 2003

By	Caitlin (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rules of Thumb (Paperback)

Tons of trivia ranging from useful to obscure. how many apples make a glass of apple juice? upon seeing a car crash, where should you aim your car to avoid it? how long, on average, does it take a person to paint a house? Interesting and fun(!) to read. Great if you're the kind of person who can't commit to reading straight through a book; you can pick up and put down this one...

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a REAL review--Read Me!, October 24, 2008

By	Cheryl Russell (Beaufort, SC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I don't know what it is with some of the so-called reviews of this book. They were written long before the book was even published. Amazon needs to get its act together and clean up the review process. For all of you potential readers out there, here is a REAL review of this book: Rules of Thumb is more than a book. It is a toolbox of shortcuts. There are a number of things I like about the book, starting with how it feels. It is small and fits in the palm of your hand. Set it on your kitchen counter, and it makes a great conversation starter when guests come over because no one can resist picking it up. It is fun because it is full of pictures. Use the index to find the rule you need. Best of all, Rules of Thumb compiles the advice of people who have learned from experience--so you don't have to. In this time of penny pinching, it will make a great stocking stuffer. I'm getting one for each member of my family.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully entertaining book, February 27, 2007

By	R. DeCarli (Nor Cal) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Rules of Thumb (Paperback)

No, this book is not a substitute for training in a profession or trade, so don't buy it with the expectation that it will unlock the secrets of the universe. HOWEVER, it is a very entertaining collection of anecdotal information, "guestimates" for a wide range of endeavors. It's a great book to read on a rainy day or while traveling. You'll be entertained, and learn a little bit, too. At the prices you can get this book used, it's a steal.