
A Walk Around the Block
Stoplight Secrets, Mischievous Squirrels, Manhole Mysteries & Other Stuff You See Every Day (And Know Nothing About)
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Narrated by:
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Daniel Henning
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By:
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Spike Carlsen
About this listen
A simple walk around the block set journalist Spike Carlsen, best-selling author of A Splintered History of Wood, off to investigate everything he could about everything we take for granted in our normal life — from manhole covers and recycling bins to bike lanes and stoplights.
In this celebration of the seemingly mundane, Carlsen opens our eyes to the engineering marvels, human stories, and natural wonders right outside our front door. He guides us through the surprising allure of sewers, the intricacies of power plants, the extraordinary path of an everyday letter, and the genius of recycling centers — all the while revealing that this awesome world isn’t just a spectator sport. Engaging as it is endearing, A Walk Around the Block will change the way you see things in your everyday life.
Join Carlsen as he strolls through the trash museum of New York City, explores the quirky world of squirrels, pigeons, and roadkill, and shows us how understanding stoplights, bike lanes, and fine art of walking can add years to our lives. In the end, he brings a sense of wonder into your average walk around the block, wherever you are. Guaranteed.
©2020 Spike Carlsen (P)2020 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
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A lot of info about our world (some wrong)
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If you've ever read The Mezzanine, by Nicholson Baker, I think you'll be a little disappointed in this Walk Around the Block. Baker manages to delve into the pedestrian world around us in a more profound and detailed way, using extensive and entertaining footnotes to fill in the details.
Of the two, I enjoyed the style and content, and I'd more highly recommend The Mezzanine, but this book certainly contained some interesting explorations of the world that surrounds us. A Walk Around the Block was just not nearly as imaginative or fun to read.
Interesting
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it was just fun
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Eye opening book!
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Wonderful and informative
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Interesting
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Endlessly fascinating
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Intriguing
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Great look at the infrastructure under, above and all around us.
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Local Author - He was highlighted in local book stores :)
Variety Of So Many Every Day Topics
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