A very fun and interesting book with questions I myself have wondered about. Sadly, I loaned this book to a friend and never got it back. I hope that my friend forwarded it on to another to read as it really is a fun way to explore science.

its actually witty and some of the questions you have often wondered as well.

This collection of questions and answers from the New Scientist 'Last Word' column is as amusing, erudite and eclectic as you could wish. As the introduction points out, the readers of the magazine include some very witty, knowledgeable people, characterised by a sense of curiosity.

If that sounds anything like you, then you will enjoy this book: specialist scientific knowledge not required.

I don't know about eating them but a wasp once stung me on the knee.

Got this for Christmas and the timing was perfect, because it solved the mystery of why my sis-in-law's pumpkin fudge would not set. (Answer: don't use a silicon pan - it retains oil which prevents thickening).

Some interesting questions I might not have thought of on my own, but seeing them posed totally suddenly wondered myself. The questions are answered by readers of New Scientist magazine, some of them being authoritative experts on the issue, some not so much. So the answers were more "truthy" than actual reliable science. They were compelling enough and reasonable enough to be good enough for cocktail party level discussion, but I'd never want to have to rely on them in a situation where accuracy really mattered.

This was a very entertaining book about science compiled from questions asked by some very inquisitive people. Most of the responses to the questions are informative and interesting; some are of dubious scientific value (the theory of "dark suck" comes to mind) but rank high in comedic effect. Some of the best questions came from young children, including a question about surfing on molten lava.

As with all the New Scientist books, this book is a collection of questions asked by various people, including weird ones about how the earth would be affected if aliens came and stole the moon, and ones that you may well have wondered about yourself, like what advantage eyebrows serve. The answers are also provided by other readers of New Scientist, with varying degrees of scientific clout and humour.

If you like knowing random facts, collect all these books. They will not disappoint you. My poor girlfriend had to put up with me reading random quotes at her for the last few hours.

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11648338

The questions varied from dry and boring to interesting and fun. Would have liked a little more consistency and thought put into choosing the questions (and answers.)

Entertaining read, nice to read when tired as its in sections so you can read a little section before bed! There were some section I wanted to be interested in but really wasnt - the weather is never going to be interesting at that level of detail to me - but most was very good. The fact that people have even though 'I wonder...' in some of these areas is interesting in itself!

My notes and quotes:

Book that answers readers' questions concerning a whole host of interesting scientific questions.
1. Bruises change color because of the breakdown of red blood cells by white blood cells and the chemicals bilirubin (yellow) and biliverdin (green). The yellow color is the same that causes jaundice in children.
2. The darker your liquor the more likely you will have a hangover because of congeners (which give alcohol the intoxicating effect). So clear/light colored drinks like vodka lead to less severe hangovers than whiskey, brandy, etc.
3. Your appendix is most useful when you are a developing embryo (immunological function), but continues to work even into adulthood.
4. Beheading (via a guillotine, etc.) may in fact be painful because it is likely that brain functioning still occurs possibly up to 25 to 30 seconds after disconnection with the body (although consciousness is probably lost after a few seconds). Many decapitated heads continue blinking after the separation and even respond to their name.
5. Cats that have fallen from between 2 and 32 stories have about a 90 percent survival rate. Their terminal velocity is about half as much as a human and their increased flexibility allows them to absorb more force from impact. They are also more likley to survive a fall once it is above 7 stories high (compared to between 2-5 stories). This is thought to be because after such a distance they start to relax, thereby increasing their flexibility and absorption ability when they land.