Customer Reviews

Rules of Thumb

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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...

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.

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.

When I first saw this book on Amazon, I knew immediately that my soon-to-be 12 year old grandson would love it. I was right! After receiving it for Christmas this year, he can't wait to tell me all of the new "facts" that he learns each week. A very worthwhile purchase!

Tom Parker is the guru of the rule of thumb, having written a couple of other very entertaining books on the same topic (but containing entirely different rules) both of which I have in my possession. This one is just as good, good for people with short attention spans, or just people interested in trivia. I can pick this up and read a few every day, so as to prolong the enjoyment. And every once in a while I stumble upon a rule I can actually use!

A light and lighthearted look at the world around us, "Rules of Thumb" casts a clever glance at many of the truisms we take for granted, while offering a stack of new ones. What size flower pot do you need? What size hard drive? How big a tip should you leave the bartender? These gems and more, helpful or just humourous, make this a great book to pick up for a few spare minutes or to read through in its entirety.

With the Very Wide range of subject matter, you might read 3 or 4 pages until you come across something that might be useful in your daily life. (When will I need info about designing a submarine, driving in Germany, parasailing off Angel's Falls, and more.) Is good for the trivia master, but everyday info ... it's over kill.

More neat things than boring things, so I guess it wins.
It's an enjoyable little thing to flip through once in a while. I don't regret getting it.

I learn something new every day from this book. The tid-bits of information are interesting and easy to remember. I recommend it to moms like me who don't get a lot of time to read and want to get the most they can from what little time they have!

Easy, pleasy reading. Relates to many things you've thought of and others that make you wonder why you didn't think about before.