The Ultimate Book of Cross-Sections

by John C. Miles

See inside fascinating cars, trains, trucks, tanks, rescue vehicles, record breakers, ships, planes, jets and spacecraft. For all ages from middle school to adult.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

As young children, my brother and I would argue over who got to read this book.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous anthology of the remarkable children's cross-sections series. I loved this series so much as a kid that I impulsively spent my entire meager savings from my allowance on the hard-cover the instant I found it at a school book fare.

This book combines at least ten smaller books, each covering a different theme including historical buildings, automobiles, aviation, military tanks, ships, construction vehicles, and spacecraft. Each exploded image is exactingly rendered in stunning detail with numerous factoids included to give the reader a glimpse into just how truly amazing some of the things we take for granted in everyday life can be. And adding to the fun in a similar vein as "Where's Waldo," some of the sub-books have hidden items or characters to look for as you go.

I've read it so many times that the binding is falling apart, and even fifteen years later I still find it utterly fascinating. This is definitely one of my all-time favorite books and a wonderful reference for children who are beginning to wonder just how the things around them work.