Mental Floss: Genius Instruction Manual: From Shakespeare to Surgeries―Your Foolproof Guide to Wondrous Knowledge

by Mental Floss

Remember that time you bumped into Stephen Hawking at the clambake and his monologue on string theory went completely over your head? Man, was that awkward. Or remember the time you were at a party and someone asked, "Who knows how to perform open-heart surgery?" and you were the only one who didn't raise your hand? Well, put all of that embarrassment behind you. Want to dazzle crowds with your wondrous knowledge of Shakespeare and surgeries? Want to learn to woo just like history's greatest minds? Well, start reading already! The Genius Instruction Manual is a foolproof finishing school for polishing your brain. All you've got to do is dive in.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Reference, Trivia

198 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2006

About the author

Mental Floss (also credited as mental_floss) is a trivia and humor magazine.

mental_floss is a bi-monthly American magazine, launched in 2001 in Birmingham, Alabama, that presents facts and trivia in a humorous way. MentalFloss.com is also host to a popular blog, which contains additional trivia, features, and interesting news articles.

Reviews

[gamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my previous bathroom books--it too functioned exceedingly well in that capacity. It didn't make me a genius, but it did make me laugh.

From the book's overview of Shakespeare's plays: "So poorly regarded that some scholars think Shakespeare wrote it as a joke, Cymbeline stars Posthumus (that's his name) , who gets kicked out of a kingdom for secretly marrying the king's daughter, which leads to a series of events so convoluted that in Act V, Scene IV, the god Jupiter descends from heaven and orders everyone to shut up and explain what's going on, which everyone does, whereupon the play ends with no deaths, making it a comedy.

[Kendra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stopped reading when I reached the part where the author said Benedick was in love with Hero in Much Ado about Nothing.

[Julie Ruch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trivia Hit and Miss

I have mixed feelings on this one. The narration is, for the most part, funny and unpretentious, the math and science fascinating, but the rest, I could have done without.

(The rest being lots of facts about authors and artists I don't care about. All from an elitist, leftist point of view. I've never been one to idolize celebrity, that may account for my dismal reaction here.)

On the plus side, I now know the difference between Modernism and Post-Modernism, as well as the definition of Existentialism. Cool!

So, bottom line, two stars. Because most of it was just okay, never rising to the "I like it" level.

To the best of my recollection, the book is clean in terms of language and intimacy. But it's been a few years since I read it, so I can't say for sure on the language.

[Rick Bavera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing look at "geniusism" through history.

[F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelente livro para ler dando uma cagada, assim como todos os livros da mental_floss (e da Superinteressante e Mundo Estranho, por conseguinte).

[Michelle Westbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of interesting but I wish the book had gone into more detail for some of the topics...I'd give the book 3.5 stars if I could but I can't so I'm being nice and rounding up.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a fun quick little read about geniuses and their eccentricities

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a shallow, often incorrect, not very funny attempt at a trivia book. As a rule I don't expect trivia books to be examples of great literature. I mean, come on, they were designed as call of nature reading. However, I am a stickler for them being correct. There were too many errors I caught off the top of my head in this text to believe that there were not many more I did not catch. As its premise is that it presents interesting facts, the admission of quite a few incorrect statements, especially in the arts area, was an irk I could not get over.
Even if the book had every fact correct, I would still only rate it 3 stars as the idiotic (meant to be humorous, but not successful at it) premise of the book being a step by step guide to becoming a genius falls flat, and detracts from the work as a whole.
There are better books to read on the toilet out there. I would not get this one.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an eclectic book of historical facts about geniuses, ranging from their choice in clothes, pets, sciences, and ways to hook up. For those who aren't geniuses, this is a way to make fun of them for being just as human. For geniuses who fit the bill, make fun of yourself.

This book pokes fun at the fact that genius is not just an inherent trait; it has its own culture. Thus, it is subjected to the same qualities that all other Groups exhibit.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love, love, love the "genius" writers at Mental Floss. So far I am learning quite a lot to fake my way through any conversational situation. I am enjoying reading this in bits and pieces. It is a fun, easy, humorous read. And I will definitely declare myself a "genius" when I am done.

[Allanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, I do adore the books by Mental_Floss.

This one teaches you about geniuses and things that geniuses should know ... so you can at least disguise yourself as a genius.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some interesting facts. Something that I could focus on in the middle of the night.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed out loud several times. Which is a rare occurence for me when I'm reading. Or maybe I'm just reading the wrong books. Anyway...simply hi-larious.

[Amy]

This book is perfect for bathroom reading with its short-form article chapters.

[Farah · Rating 5 out of 5]

HILARIOUS!

[Michael Briggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a good read, but noting earth shattering is revealed. it is pretty intereating how genius is so close to madness...

[Mella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice little collection of trivia facts/things one ought to know pass as a genius. Amusing and informative.

[Cheryl Lindstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

a fun read, with some interesting facts.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed how the book was written. Interesting to see what ties all of history's smartest people together.

[Stephanie Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please read my full review here: http://realbooks4ever.tumblr.com/post...

[Mick Mckamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes amusing. Mildly funny. Quick read.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a little random for me but I love Mental Floss everything in general so it works.

[Kanishka · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK!

Is so damn awesome. it's such a fun read. and bonus, was co-authored by John green!