Why Things Are: Answers to Every Essential Question in Life [Paperback]

Joel Achenbach (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 18, 1991

"Not only does Joel Achenbach ask some great questions, but he actually answers them--and with a rigor that puts him somewhere between Socrates and Miss Manners. Plus he's funnier than either of them.:
Judy Jones and William Wilson
Authors of AN INCOMPLETE EDUCATION
From the dawn of time to yesterday's headlines, from baseball to the atom bomb,fromant farms to Peperidge Farm, syndicated columnist Joel Achenbach answers the perennial question, WHY?
Why do foreign languages sound so fast?
Why do fools fall in love?
Why don't people talk in elevators?
And much more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

If it's got a foreword by Dave Barry, you know it's ok.

And this one does. WHY THINGS ARE is the first collection of the nationally syndicated "Why Things Are: columns, It's politically savvy. It's wisecracky but accurate. Achenbach can even explain the deficit and make you laugh at the same time you're crying.

From the Inside Flap

"Not only does Joel Achenbach ask some great questions, but he actually answers them--and with a rigor that puts him somewhere between Socrates and Miss Manners. Plus he's funnier than either of them.:
Judy Jones and William Wilson
Authors of AN INCOMPLETE EDUCATION
From the dawn of time to yesterday's headlines, from baseball to the atom bomb,fromant farms to Peperidge Farm, syndicated columnist Joel Achenbach answers the perennial question, WHY?
Why do foreign languages sound so fast?
Why do fools fall in love?
Why don't people talk in elevators?
And much more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 345 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1 edition (June 18, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345362241
• ISBN-13: 978-0345362247
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,564,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smart and funny, April 10, 2000

By 

Joshua Engel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why Things Are, Volume II (Paperback)

Joel Achenbach knows a lot of stuff about a lot of stuff. More importantly, he's willing to go out and ask people when he doesn't know (and doesn't mind giving credit when credit is due, which gives the answers more authority.) Although not as funny as Cecil Adams, his book is still an excellent read. Unlike some authors in this genre, I've never known him to spend pages on dumb, obvious, or other softball questions. In addition to answering questions, he's also got essays, which I liked less well. The book also comes with cartoons, which are quite funny.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life, the universe and everything...with a sense of humour, December 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Things Are: Answers to Every Essential Question in Life (Paperback)

Ever wonder...about everything? Joel Achenbach does. And he writes about it, too, in a literate-but-fun style (think The Straight Dope's Cecil Adams with a Ph.D) that makes this collection of questions from his former newspaper column a real joy to read. Especially recommended are the chapters on the natural world, "creeping surrealism", and, of course, Dave Barry's introduction. Lots of fun for inquiring minds!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life, the universe and everything...with a sense of humour, December 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Things Are: Answers to Every Essential Question in Life (Paperback)

Ever wonder...about everything? Joel Achenbach does. And he writes about it, too, in a literate-but-fun style (think The Straight Dope's Cecil Adams with a Ph.D) that makes this collection of questions from his former newspaper column a real joy to read. Especially recommended are the chapters on the natural world, "creeping surrealism", and, of course, Dave Barry's introduction. Lots of fun for inquiring minds!