How to Fix (Just About) Everything : More Than 550 Step-by-Step Instructions for Everything from Fixing a Faucet to Removing Mystery Stains to Curing a Hangover (Hardcover)

by Bill Marken (Author) "A wobbly table is one of life's little annoyances..." (more)
Key Phrases: derailleur alignment, caulking cartridge, neon tester, Warning Never, Warning Always, Warning Don't (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The many uses Marken has for "fix" indicate how fun and thorough his sequel is to How to Do (Just About) Everything. From chapters on how to "Fix a Lamp" and "Fix Your Kid Lunch" to "Fix Your Dog or Cat" and "Fix a Poker Game," the author of three Dummies books creates the go-to tome for life's little calamities. He and his 12 contributors strike an even tenor as they group crises under such headings as "Computers & Home Electronics," "Everyday Annoyances" and "Occasional Disasters"; they structure each nuisance therein with brief introductions, lists of items for tackling the problem, steps for solving it, icons denoting difficulty levels, tips, warnings, tables, illustrations and suggestions for further assistance. Occasionally readers will catch the Marken team throwing its hands in the air ("Rescue a Burned Cake or Pie" suggests using unburned portions as ice-cream topping) or engaging in overkill-"Get Rid of Red-Eye in Photographs" asks that users purchase an "anti-red eye pen, scanner, image-editing software, tissue paper or a white filter, and a flash diffuser." The book may sometimes comes across as rather fusty (compared to the hit Worst-Case Scenario handbooks, whose readership Marken seems to be courting) but, by and large, most predicaments are resolved thoughtfully and creatively, and a few-such as "Soothe a Sunburn," "Put Out a Kitchen Fire" and, yes, "Get Out of a Fix"-can even prevent harm.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Like Courtney Rosen's How To Do (Just About) Everything, Marken's manual is aimed at the amateur needing brief, step-by-step instructions. Entries on repairing objects, improving skills, and even mending relationships are included in 13 broad categories. To find help quickly, readers can use the index to locate entry numbers, though some patrons will prefer browsing. For the most part, the entries are categorized logically, although two categories ("Everyday Annoyances" and "Occasional Disasters") seem to be catch-all sections combining things as diverse as fixing a wobbly table and eliminating bad breath. Most entries include a margin note ("What You'll Need"), while some also have "Tips" and "Warnings" when appropriate. Some 300 illustrations are included for clarity. Marken, a former editor of Sunset magazine, has 30 years of experience in how-to book and magazine publishing, and it shows here. Though there is some overlap with the previous title and with other general household manuals, this book's focus on problem-solving, enumerated instructions, and clear layout make it worthwhile. Recommended for most public libraries. Bonnie Poquette, Shorewood P.L., WI
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 624 pages
• Publisher: Free Press (October 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743234685
• ISBN-13: 978-0743234689
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #381,269 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If it ain't broke, you don't need this book. Otherwise..., January 28, 2003

By A Customer

...you need this book. While it lacks the narrative arc of, say, Moby Dick, it's just about as long -- and a heck of a lot more useful. Just the thing for an impromptu Nantucket sleigh ride (see p. 347). Look, what with what plumbers charge these days, you'll save the price of admission just as soon as you've saved $27. Extra bonus tip: If you have a table with one leg about 6 inches shorter than the other three, you can use the book itself to fix the table!

2.0 out of 5 stars Lots of useless facts, January 4, 2006

By	The Butcher "Steve" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This book had lots of fix it facts but most were common sense or useless.

How to get super glue off your fingers.. or how to fix a Casette Tape.

Seems like this would NOT be the 1st place to look up something when I need to fix it. Its more of a bathroom reader quailty. You may remember what you read here but I will look elsewhere first.