The Mental Floss History of the World: An Irreverent Romp through Civilization's Best Bits
by Erik Sass, Mental Floss Steve Wiegand
book data
68 ratings,
3.75
average rating, 25 reviews
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published
November 1st 2008
by Collins
binding
Hardcover, 400 pages
isbn
0060784776
(isbn13: 9780060784775)
description
History is . . .
(a) more or less bunk.
(b) a nightmare from which I am trying to awaken.
(c) as thoroughly infected with lies as a street whore with
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 161)
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1 star (1)
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avg 3.75
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in May, 2009
recommends it for:
anyone looking for an overview of world history
This is a tough one for me to review. I listened to this book on CD during a long car ride, which definitely had some affect on my rating...I was pretty sick of the narrator's voice by the end of 15 hours and it wasn't quite what I had expected. I picked this "book" up based on the teasers on the back cover, specifically for the following comments - "most interesting bits have been handpicked", "packed with little-known stories", and "outrageous facts". I ...more
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Read in January, 2009
It is obvious, of course, that one cannot contain the history of the world in a 400-page book, so the question is why would one ever try? But try they have, and Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur have delivered a humorous and fairly enjoyable trip through the history of the world in their 2008 book “The Mental Floss History of the World: An Irreverent Romp through Civilization’s Best Bits”.
There are several good points about the book. I thought they did a very good job in ...more
There are several good points about the book. I thought they did a very good job in ...more
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Read in October, 2008
The authors bill this book as an irreverent romp through civilization's best bits. For the most part the irrevencey does make for an entertaining look through history. On the other hand, the history of the world has often been down right horrifying , and on occasion, that irrevencey is perhaps a tad bit inappropriate.
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Gaining and keeping the average reader's interest in history is a problem authors have faced for, well, probably most of history. One method is to try to liven things up with different takes or an unusual focus. That's the promise of The Mental Floss History of the World: An Irreverent Romp through Civilization's Best Bits. It's a promise not totally fulfilled.[return][return]The book approaches its subject like mental_floss magazine, trying to make gaining knowledge fun and accessible. Stil...more
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Read in January, 2009
I bought this as a possible Christmas present, but ended up keeping it for myself. Glad I did, I really enjoyed it. The authors take (as the cover says) "an irreverent romp through history's best bits." Really, that's exactly what it is - a wide-angle overview of the history of civilization, with all civilizations covered. Snarky sidebars and fun references kept my interest up. I can't wait until my subscription to the mental floss magazine starts coming...
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Read in March, 2009
Pre-history through "middle ages" incredibly enlightening. Brings out new discoveries and places old theories to rest. For the most part renaissance through present has very little unknown knowledge. Sid bits in red are generally hilarious. Skipping over them is not advised.
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i already forgot almost all of this. but the gist is that we have always been extremely violent, and that in the olden days, it was the fashion that men in thailand would insert tiny silver balls in their scrotum that would tinkle as they walked.
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Read in January, 2009
I'm reading this right now, and honestly it is one of the funniest and most informative books I've ever read. If you like history, but mostly the juicy bits, and presented in a fresh and funny way, this book is perfect.
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12/03/08
Nicole
is currently reading it
This is my bedside table book at the moment. My copy was purchased at the book release and signed by Erik Sass and Will Pearson, who are a great couple of nerds. I LOVE mental_floss!!!
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This look at history is alternately gross, funny, disturbing, strange, tragic, silly and always interesting. It mostly just explores the bits that are sure to spark some kind of reaction.
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Read in April, 2009
"You'll laugh yourself smarter on this joyride through 60,000 years of human civilization." BTW- I totally copied this portion of a review because I could not have said it better.
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Read in January, 2009
An entertaining refresher course on the history of the world in 400 pages. It tweaked my curiosity to delve into Asian history. The book could have used closer editing since there are some errors on dates and names. Just a fun book to read though
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Read in January, 2009
This is my current bathroom book, and it functions very well as such.
I'm only 14 pages in, and already I remember nothing
I'm only 14 pages in, and already I remember nothing
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This was a quick and light-hearted read. It made me glad to live in this country at this time.
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01/04/09
John
added it
I'm working on my thesis and my wife just had a baby, so I don't have time to finish this right now. Maybe sometime in the future.
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Read in March, 2009
Very enjoyable romp through world history. Unbelievable how brutal conditions were historically, yet the authors are able to make light of those conditions, with historical trivia and footnotes about those long forgotten, such as the short and sad life of King Louis XVII of France, his heart(!!) and where the heart resides today).
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Read in October, 2008
How do you fit the history of the world into 400 pages or less -- and make it funny and ceaselessly informative in the process? The gang at Mental Floss has done it. Highly recommended for history junkies and anyone who wants to "feel smart again."
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Read in June, 2009
Amusing coffee-table/bathroom read. Lots of fun facts. I had to return it early because it was on hold at the library, but I'd take it out again.
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Read in January, 2009
This is a perfect bedside-table book. Cruise through a whole era of history, or just muddle through a few paragraphs as your eyes glaze over...and you... *yawn*
Bus rating: 5 stars
Bus rating: 5 stars
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Read in January, 2009
A surprisingly succinct, yet comprehensive world history that doesn't take history too seriously
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