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Here, scientist Peter J. Bentley tackles the realm of everyday disaster through a highly empirical approach informed by wit and humor. Bentley explores accident on a molecular level, arming you with an essential understanding of what went wrong and explaining how to prevent future bouts of misfortune.
Science is respected, trusted, and according to Bentley, widely misunderstood. The title is surprising when you first see it Which caught my attention at the public library , which is why I picked the book. I also wanted to know how a bad day happens. I thought this book was going to be on the probabilities of a bad thing happening or why they happen, but, it was more about the science about the object or the thing happening which caused the bad day.
That was kind of different from what I had expected but I was okay with that. There was one chapter about computer viruses and it described how to prevent them, and it actually went into depth of the statistics of the number of viruses out there and the chances of getting them.
I liked that chapter the most. The author occasionally goes way off topic. He's like my dad, when I ask my dad a question, he goes way to far in depth and explains things that I really didn't need to know. That is the bad part of this book and it kind of ruins it. I get that this book is supposed to be a scientific book but, it goes way off track of the main idea of the chapter too often. I have often wondered how I can dress myself most days of the year without mishap but once in a while get my socks mismatched or forget a belt.
When I saw this book I hoped it would be a practical guide to screwing up less; reading through the first of 39 sections it seemed to be so, as the author helpfully explained how interactions of the sleep cycle and the environment lead us to sleep through an alarm. So I picked up the audio edition and listened when I wanted a break from fiction.
The book provides a light introduction to its various topics, but overall it does not satisfy as a science work nor as a practical guide to fewer screw-ups. The depth of the science varies widely by topic, indicating I would guess the author's own knowledge. At times it is just bizarre - explaining General Relativity in the topic of stumbling while walking, for example - and when he gets to the practical bit it has no relation to the preceding blather don't hurry so much and you won't stumble. There are a few pieces of helpful information here, but not enough; the book also does not fulfill the promise of the introduction, wherein he claims that understanding the science will help us avoid common trouble.
The advice instead is mostly what you would have gotten from listening to your mother. I listened to the Brilliance Audio edition narrated by Phil Gigante. I can't give the reader high marks either, as he comes off rather smug, and there are some mispronunciations that add to the amateur feeling of the text.
An excellent introduction to several different areas of science and technology using a most original teaching device: one terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day to quote the picture book about Alexander. Each chapter is a separate incident in the bad dayfor example, filling up the car with diesel instead of gasoline, being pooped on by a bird, spilling wine on the carpetand the rest of the chapter discusses the science behind the mishap.
The wine-spilling chapter, for instance, talks about the properties of dyes and exactly what makes wine stain carpets so effectively, not to mention how to get the stains out. Throughout, the author keeps things accessible but does not talk down to the reader. He provides lots of clever side comments along the way that kept me chuckling as I learned.
And if any of the fields mentioned in this book pique your interest, there's a selected bibliography at the back and a more extensive one at the author's website provided in the book. Overall, I enjoyed the read. There were some things I already knew about, but those were described well, and I learned a whole lot more, so I would consider this a worthy read for anyone interested in general science. Jason Hoffmann. The title alone is enough to grab the attention of a passerby.
It's not very often you see a book with such a unique cover. Once you start to read, all of your attention will be focused on what is next to come. The book is unlike any other I have read.
It starts out with the author explaining how the book is written, and that this day that you start in the book will be the worst you have ever had hypothetically speaking. Peter Bentley does a great job with his writing technique and the extra information that is put into the different chapters, do give you more background knowledge.
When you start the first chapter you will notice that this book isn't really a story. Every chapter is like its own event that can be read individually. This is great for some readers if they are not interested in some of the topics in the book. You can skip around to whatever is most appealing to you. That is not something that you normally find in a book. Also, when you start to read any given chapter, it starts out by explaining what your bad luck is this time. Once the situation you are in is explained, Bentley goes on to tell you more about what ever product or item is the main cause of your misery.
The facts are just mind blowing. I cannot give any specific examples as to not spoil the book. This book is one that everyone should get around to reading at some point in their life. I higher recommend it to anyone that questions why things happen in our daily lives. Lindsey Orlando. My husband and I listened to the audiobook of this book on a road trip. This book was bizarre and funny and interesting at the same time. It may seem like terrible luck that your coffee exploded in your face or your toaster caught on fire, but he goes into the science of just how it could actually happen.
It's interesting information that most people would probably never have gotten around to looking up if they hadn't read this book. I think about this book every time I make a cup of hot tea or use the toaster now. Willow Redd. I really enjoy quirky science texts, which is probably why Goodreads recommended this one to me.
Using a storyteller's perspective, Dr. Bentley finds a way to share some interesting science by going through the worst possible day in an average person's life. Looking for More Great Reads? Download Hi Res. Get the latest updates from Peter J. And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week. We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again later. Today's Top Books Want to know what people are actually reading right now? Stay in Touch Sign up.
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Book Rating 1. Written By: Peter J. Bentley, Ph. Narrated By: Phil Gigante.
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