Why Rattlesnakes Rattle: ...and 250 Other Things You Should Know

by Valeri R. Helterbran

A follow-up to Helterbran's popular Why Flamingos Are …and 250 other Things You Should Know, this entertaining volume identifies more of the surprising explanations for the facts, tales, and lore associated with day-to-day living and the world around us. Organized into seven categories, this book tells you why birds perched on power lines aren't electrocuted; the origins of such expressions as "swan song" and "willy nilly;" and the science behind such phenomena as ball lightning, blue glaciers, red tide, and thunder snow. More than a mere compendium of trivia, this book is a springboard for learners of all ages.

237 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2012

Reviews

[melydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like books of random facts, and this book does not disappoint. Each entry has a few paragraphs, providing more information than your standard trivia books of one-line “did you know” factoids. I was also pleasantly surprised to come across several things I hadn’t known and was actually curious to find out (it’s easy to find facts I didn’t know but most of them aren’t particularly interesting). Unlike many books of trivia, this one is just fine to read straight through, or you can turn to any random page. And with the thorough index, this book could even be relatively useful to keep around, more than just for entertainment.

[Exapno Mapcase · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was well written with an inclusive mix of topics. It has a fairly serious tone, lacking the humor of the Imponderables series, which is not bad, just different. The author is an educator and shows a love for education that is admirable in today’s society.

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