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Malaysia at Random
Malaysia At Random Is A Collection Of Illustrated Malaysian Trivia - Interesting And Unusal Advice, Anecdotes, Folklore, Facts, Tables And Diagrams.
- GenresNonfiction
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 7, 2010
This review is ad verbatim from my blog:
If you ever need a literal example of the old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover“, then Malaysia At Random is a perfect example. Look at that picture. It’s like they couldn’t be bothered, could they? Just scatter in some thumbnails of Malaysiana and you’re good to go.
Horrible, horrible cover but wonderful, wonderful content.
This book is 150 pages of Malaysian-related trivia. From the leaning tower of Malaysia to J.W.W. Birch’s last journal entry on 24th October, 1875. From the structure of a traditional Malaysian Chinese Secret Society to the dining habits of the Malaysian tiger (the book claims there have been no evidence of Malaysian tigers eating tapirs. Maybe they taste bad?)
The trivia collected encompasses history, language, politics, society, statistics and even excerpts from interesting news items (“Foreigners making headlines in Malaysia”, “Bungled Burglaries”). Want to know how to capture a herd of elephants? This book’ll teach you (it involves starving them to near death, by the way). Even what goes into the Ramly Double Special Cheese Burger is included here.
You cannot compile a book on Malaysian trivia without including something from Dr. Mahathir, the country’s longest serving Prime Minister to date. The most interesting one is his reply to a 10 year old British boy who wrote to Dr. Mahathir imploring the doctor to stop exploiting the tropical rain forests of Malaysia. The Prime Minister’s response was, shall we say, a bit testy.
A lovely book I would recommend to anyone, of all ages. I love how the tidbits are not presented in any order; the origins of the “Five Foot Way” is followed by a list of live performances that faced problems with Malaysian authorities which is followed by a thorough guideline for Muslims who want to venture into outer space. Every page is a surprise. For example, Malaysia’s 10th richest person, Vincent Tan (net worth in US Dollars: $750 million) has 11 children. Vincent Tan has 11 kids?? What is he? Kelantanese?
If you ever need a literal example of the old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover“, then Malaysia At Random is a perfect example. Look at that picture. It’s like they couldn’t be bothered, could they? Just scatter in some thumbnails of Malaysiana and you’re good to go.
Horrible, horrible cover but wonderful, wonderful content.
This book is 150 pages of Malaysian-related trivia. From the leaning tower of Malaysia to J.W.W. Birch’s last journal entry on 24th October, 1875. From the structure of a traditional Malaysian Chinese Secret Society to the dining habits of the Malaysian tiger (the book claims there have been no evidence of Malaysian tigers eating tapirs. Maybe they taste bad?)
The trivia collected encompasses history, language, politics, society, statistics and even excerpts from interesting news items (“Foreigners making headlines in Malaysia”, “Bungled Burglaries”). Want to know how to capture a herd of elephants? This book’ll teach you (it involves starving them to near death, by the way). Even what goes into the Ramly Double Special Cheese Burger is included here.
You cannot compile a book on Malaysian trivia without including something from Dr. Mahathir, the country’s longest serving Prime Minister to date. The most interesting one is his reply to a 10 year old British boy who wrote to Dr. Mahathir imploring the doctor to stop exploiting the tropical rain forests of Malaysia. The Prime Minister’s response was, shall we say, a bit testy.
A lovely book I would recommend to anyone, of all ages. I love how the tidbits are not presented in any order; the origins of the “Five Foot Way” is followed by a list of live performances that faced problems with Malaysian authorities which is followed by a thorough guideline for Muslims who want to venture into outer space. Every page is a surprise. For example, Malaysia’s 10th richest person, Vincent Tan (net worth in US Dollars: $750 million) has 11 children. Vincent Tan has 11 kids?? What is he? Kelantanese?
January 1, 2011
If there any awards for "The Most Ugly Book Cover" or "The Best Local Book Peoples Don't Read", I will vote both for this book. Trust me, this book is full with surprised and interesting trivia about Malaysia from MOna Fandey to the name of traditional Malay Kuih. Everything about Malaysia. Please don't judge by its ugly book cover, read the contents.
September 15, 2010
Great read for everyone, not just Malaysians. It's basically random stats, facts and whatever else pertaining to Malaysia, like what license plates are from which states, etc. It's also illustrated, so it's not boring like that.
I found some interesting tidbits in this book that I never knew.
I found some interesting tidbits in this book that I never knew.
April 9, 2016
A very intereting book with lots of trivia and sort info takesn frm various ousrdes inxluding the inter net. cant say that this is a book to0 be read in wholy but in better in random part page. Intereting and relatively funny book with also incredible things
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews