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The Hair of the Dog: And Other Scientific Surprises
Science is full of the peculiar peepshow beginnings of baby incubators; the unexpected positive fallout from the H-bomb; the dinosaurs that caused sonic booms; the irrational nature of the number pi; the fifth taste sensation lurking in everyone's taste buds which nobody knew about (except for the Japanese). Whilst shedding light on these conundrums, Karl Sabbagh shows that seemingly trivial queries or assumptions lead to a deeper understanding of how science works. Who would have thought that scientists would turn to the hypothesis 'All swans are white' to determine the stability of the entire universe? Or that if we choose to spend our hard-earned money on other people it might make us happier than if we spend it on ourselves?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published December 12, 2009
About the author
Karl Sabbagh
28 books21 followersKarl Sabbagh, founder and managing director of Skyscraper Publications, has written nearly a dozen books, ranging across topics as diverse as architecture, psychology, history, mathematics, fraud, Victorian boys’ papers, and the Middle East. Some of his books are derived from major television documentary series he produced and directed; others are pieces of original non-fiction for a general readership.
From 2010 to 2012, he was managing director of Hesperus Press, an independent British publisher of minor classics, fiction in translation, and some original non-fiction. While at Hesperus, he acquired the UK rights to The Hundred-Year-Old Man who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared, which has so far sold over 500,000 copies in the UK alone.
Skyscraper's unique programme draws on Karl's extensive experience as both author and publisher.
From 2010 to 2012, he was managing director of Hesperus Press, an independent British publisher of minor classics, fiction in translation, and some original non-fiction. While at Hesperus, he acquired the UK rights to The Hundred-Year-Old Man who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared, which has so far sold over 500,000 copies in the UK alone.
Skyscraper's unique programme draws on Karl's extensive experience as both author and publisher.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 16, 2018
A lot of titillating things made simple.
August 3, 2019
easy book to dip in & out
very interesting some parts of it
very interesting some parts of it
May 6, 2015
I only have the abridged audio version of this book. (If I like it I will buy the hardback). This might be a good thing since some reviews say this book is mind-numbingly boring! On the other hand, I like quirky non-fiction like this. It's ok going by other people's reviews, but even if you are best friends who have tuna salad sandwiches in the office every day, come Friday night when you go out, one of you orders a beer, the other a pousse cafe!
February 14, 2010
Another pop-science book for the Christmas market, covering a wide range of interesting and surprising findings in science - the title refers to biological basis of the phenomena whereby continuing to drink alcohol when suffering a hangover alleviate its symptoms.
The Brain and Mind section reads a little like a collection of the 'science' stories from the Metro newspaper (probably because it's the area I know most about), but on the whole it's a decent enough book to dip in and out of over your breakfast.
The Brain and Mind section reads a little like a collection of the 'science' stories from the Metro newspaper (probably because it's the area I know most about), but on the whole it's a decent enough book to dip in and out of over your breakfast.
April 6, 2010
An Absolutely Brilliant book full of fun facts on Science. Such as the Discovery of the Big Bang owes it's origin to Pigeon poop and what happens when you give an Elephant too much LSD. Even the section on Advanced Mathematics was easy to understand.
February 18, 2011
I got this as a christmas present from Katherine's mum, which was nice of her. It's not the kind of thing I would usually buy for myself but it is something I will happily read. Sabbagh collects a variety of interesting anecdotes, research articles, strange facts and odd stories encompassing some of the main scientific divisions.
In some ways it feels like a compilation of newspaper articles (perhaps a weekly 'odd-science' column). As such it's easy to dip it and out of and usually entertaining, albeit brief. There's a lot to interest though occasionally frustrating in how little detail or exploration of a topic is given (plus there's no easy way to check on his sources other than visiting his website).
It did lead to a realisation though. After understanding most of the astrophysics chapter, little of the maths, and all of the biology (playing to my strengths), I got to the medical section and realised most of the tales were remarkably basic in what they talked about and indeed somewhat patronising at times. Extrapolating this to the other chapters it made me wonder whether that's the case for all of them and ultimately the entire book is rather superficial, pandering to the stupidity of the layperson. Hmmm.
I suspect it doesn't matter as I enjoyed it anyway and have taken to annoying people by reciting the stranger aspects of science that amused me.
P.s. this isn't the edition I have (which is a horrible cover) but they don't list mine on GRs.
In some ways it feels like a compilation of newspaper articles (perhaps a weekly 'odd-science' column). As such it's easy to dip it and out of and usually entertaining, albeit brief. There's a lot to interest though occasionally frustrating in how little detail or exploration of a topic is given (plus there's no easy way to check on his sources other than visiting his website).
It did lead to a realisation though. After understanding most of the astrophysics chapter, little of the maths, and all of the biology (playing to my strengths), I got to the medical section and realised most of the tales were remarkably basic in what they talked about and indeed somewhat patronising at times. Extrapolating this to the other chapters it made me wonder whether that's the case for all of them and ultimately the entire book is rather superficial, pandering to the stupidity of the layperson. Hmmm.
I suspect it doesn't matter as I enjoyed it anyway and have taken to annoying people by reciting the stranger aspects of science that amused me.
P.s. this isn't the edition I have (which is a horrible cover) but they don't list mine on GRs.
August 17, 2017
An interesting book of trivia with a slightly erudite twist, and little humorous asides and remarks. Karl Sabbagh has a natural, engaging writing style; this is the first of his books I've read, and I was inspired to read more based on his writing style.
July 8, 2018
Just want an updated version
Fun read. A few years old. Would like an updated version. Many short tidbits about science. Highly accessible for leisurely reading.
Fun read. A few years old. Would like an updated version. Many short tidbits about science. Highly accessible for leisurely reading.
May 5, 2021
2.5 stars
April 23, 2023
Quirky, digestible and fun, reminded me of Freakonomics. Somewhat dampened by sexist passages on feminism in science and the fact that Karl Sabbagh is a convicted paedophile.
October 29, 2023
Nice collection of wide variety of scientific facts and trivia. Contains topics from astronomy and astrophysics, maths, biology and atomic physics. Short, bit size 1-2 pages long chapters.
January 30, 2012
This was mind-numbingly boring. I was hoping there were a few interesting tidbits of facts here, but all the "surprises" were very basic and not surprising at all. The only thing that was interesting was the "hair of the dog" or why it helps to continue drinking when severely hungover. Nothing I've practiced myself, just the thought is sickening, but it's nice to know that the spinning and quasiness is caused by an imbalance in fluid density between the blood and the fluid in he inner ear. They should be the same. Oh well. I guess I could have found this particular piece of fact somewhere else and it certainly did not justify buying the book or reading all of it. This might be an interesting book if you have no basic knowledge of science and biology, but for all others, this is a dud.
March 6, 2014
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Karl Sabbagh's book explores the surprising science behind seemingly trivial assumptions.
Blurb - An inventor who was strangled by his own invention, a Nobel Prize winner who had his 'eureka' moment in the car and how stem cell research could change the future of medicine.
Read by Toby Longworth.
Abridged by Libby Spurrier.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/...
Karl Sabbagh's book explores the surprising science behind seemingly trivial assumptions.
Blurb - An inventor who was strangled by his own invention, a Nobel Prize winner who had his 'eureka' moment in the car and how stem cell research could change the future of medicine.
Read by Toby Longworth.
Abridged by Libby Spurrier.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2013
A pretty interesting book. The highlight was the part about the Ramsey problems, one of which is as follows: prove that at a dinner party with 6 guests there will always be 3 who know each other or 3 strangers (or both of course).
March 31, 2023
A little disappointing. The title and blurb seemed so interesting & I love random facts especially about science. And there definitely were good parts, I can’t say it was a bad book. But some parts just felt a bit long and there were a lot of things I already heard about more than once before.
January 15, 2014
It was an original idea to collect different and interesting scientific articles in a book but it bored me a little. I would not put this book on my top lists.
June 26, 2014
It was okay...
February 25, 2015
Everyday language used to explain scientific concepts.
Some of the analogies were very humorous and effective.
Very fun light reading on the bus
Some of the analogies were very humorous and effective.
Very fun light reading on the bus
November 29, 2013
Very enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews