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Usually manna from heaven for certain tabloid newspapers, bizarre research stories often pepper the headlines and here are some you may have heard of but I guarantee many, many even more bizarre stories previously unearthed. WTF indeed. But looking at all these bizarre experiments and theories as part of a vast jigsaw-puzzle then some of them do have purpose even if is a dead-end or proves the very opposite to the original proposal. Abrahams’ dead-pan style brings out the unintended humour in his subject ranging widely over all the scientific disciplines, one can only observe that truth really is stranger than fiction.
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Marc Abrahams, the founder of the Ig Nobel Prizes, offers an addictive,wryly funny expose of the oddest, most imaginative, and just plain improbable research from around the globe. He looks into why books on ethics are more likely to get stolen, the best way to slice a ham sandwich (mathematically), and what time of month generates highertips for Vegas lap dancers. Abrahams' tour through these unlikeliest investigations of animals, plants, and minerals (including humans) will first make you laugh, then make you think about the world in a new way.
“Wonderful! The definitive compendium of quirky, jaw-dropping research.”
Richard Wiseman, bestselling author of:59 Seconds
‘Utterly hilarious’ – Bookseller
‘After reading this hilarious book, you'll never look at scientists in the same way again’ – Terry Jones, Monty Python
“Marc Abrahams is a perfectly calibrated filtration system into which all of science is poured and out of which comes pure, giddy goofball delight. This book is a delicious, addictive treat.”
Mary Roach, author of Stiff and Packing for Mars
“Human beings are weird, the world is weird, and human beings – just can’t stop ’em – like to research the world. The result is a triplerainbow of weirdness, all compiled with wit and aplomb by Marc Abrahams, the world’s leading impresario of strange-ass science.”
Amanda Palmer, musician and artist, The Dresden Dolls and Evelyn Evelyn
“Marc Abrahams has assembled a delightful collection of research that is as informative as it is entertaining. This is the kind of book that is a pleasure to read in the bathroom and in the bedroom, and the kind of book that makes you seem smarter when you share it with friends (just make sure you wash your hands first).”
Dan Ariely, James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics, Duke University, and author of Predictably Irrational and The (Honest) Truth about Dishonesty
ISBN: 9781851689316
Publication date: 06/09/2012
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Format: Paperback
| ISBN: | 9781851689316 |
| Publication date: | 6th September 2012 |
| Author: | Marc Abrahams |
| Publisher: | Oneworld Publications |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 316 pages |
| Genres: | eBook Favourites, Popular Science, The Real World, |
| Categories: | Popular science, Humour, |
Marc Abrahams writes the weekly “Improbable Research” column for the Guardian and is the author of This Is Improbable. He is the founding editor of the science humour magazine Annals of Improbable Research and founder of the Ig Nobel Prizes, which are presented at Harvard University each year. Abrahams and the Ig have been covered by the BBC, New Scientist, Daily Mail, Times, and numerous other outlets internationally. He lives in Massachusetts. Author photo © David Kessler
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