What Einstein Didn't Know
Scientific Answers to Everyday Questions
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Narrated by:
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Sean Runnette
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By:
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Robert L. Wolke
About this listen
How does soap know what's dirt? How do magnets work? Why do ice cubes crackle in your glass? And how can you keep them quiet?
These are questions that torment us all. Now Robert L. Wolke, professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, provides definitive - and amazingly simple - explanations for the mysteries of everyday life. Shattering myths (such as the common belief that salt melts the ice in your driveway)... providing insider secrets (like what lights up a neon sign)... and daring you to perform your own experiments (find out what happens when you use a sharp knife to scratch the inside of a beer glass filled with brew!), Dr. Wolke provides astounding facts, can't-lose bar bets, and sometimes shocking truths.
Why is the sky blue? A candle flame yellow? Or bleached clothes white? Don't stay in the dark. When it comes to unraveling the mysteries of modern living, maybe Einstein didn't know. But you can - even if you've never lit a Bunsen burner - with this fascinating, eye-opening book about our astonishing world.
©1997 Robert L. Wolke (P)2012 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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Interesting anecdotes and engaging tales make science fun, meaningful, and accessible. Separating sense from nonsense and fact from myth, these essays cover everything from the ups of helium to the downs of drain cleaners and provide answers to numerous mysteries, such as why bug juice is used to color ice cream and how spies used secret inks. Mercury in teeth, arsenic in water, lead in the environment, and aspartame in food are discussed.
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Very cavalier attitude
- By Paula on 11-14-14
By: Dr. Joe Schwarcz
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Proof
- The Science of Booze
- By: Adam Rogers
- Narrated by: Sean Runnette
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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In Proof, Adam Rogers reveals alcohol as a miracle of science, going deep into the pleasures of making and drinking booze—and the effects of the latter. The people who make and sell alcohol may talk about history and tradition, but alcohol production is really powered by physics, molecular biology, organic chemistry, and a bit of metallurgy—and our taste for those products is a melding of psychology and neurobiology.
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Great listening to all about booze
- By Atila on 08-02-14
By: Adam Rogers
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No Immediate Danger
- Carbon Ideologies, Volume One
- By: William T. Vollmann
- Narrated by: Sean Runnette
- Length: 16 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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In his nonfiction, William T. Vollmann has won acclaim as a singular voice tackling some of the most important issues of our age. Now, Vollmann turns to a topic that will define the generations to come - the factors and human actions that have led to global warming. Vollmann begins No Immediate Danger by examining and quantifying the many causes of climate change, from industrial manufacturing and agricultural practices to fossil fuel extraction, economic demand for electric power, and the justifiable yearning of people all over the world to live in comfort.
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Look at the brightside always and die in a dream!
- By Darwin8u on 04-14-19
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The Second Book of General Ignorance
- Everything You Think You Know Is (Still) Wrong
- By: John Lloyd, John Mitchinson
- Narrated by: Julian Elfer
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Just when you thought that it was safe to start showing off again, John Lloyd and John Mitchinson are back with another busload of mistakes and misunderstandings. Here is a new collection of simple, perfectly obvious questions you'll be quite certain you know the answers to. Whether it's history, science, sports, geography, literature, language, medicine, the classics, or common wisdom, you'll be astonished to discover that everything you thought you knew is still hopelessly wrong.
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It's all stuff from QI
- By Bonnie Kennedy on 04-07-21
By: John Lloyd, and others
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Beer
- Tap into the Art and Science of Brewing
- By: Charles Bamforth
- Narrated by: Chris Sorensen
- Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Beer offers an amusing and informative account of the art and science of brewing, examining the history of brewing, and how the brewing process has evolved through the ages. The third edition features more information concerning the history of beer, especially in the United States; British, Japanese, and Egyptian beer; beer in the context of health and nutrition; and the various styles of beer. Author Charles Bamforth has also added detailed information on prohibition, Sierra Nevada, and life as a maltster.
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Commercial Brewing
- By taylor brackeen on 03-15-18
By: Charles Bamforth
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The Science of Cheese
- By: Michael H. Tunick
- Narrated by: Dennis Holland
- Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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In an engaging tour of the science and history of cheese, Michael Tunick explores the art of cheese making, the science that lies underneath the deliciousness, and the history behind how humanity came up with one of its most varied and versatile of foods. Dr. Tunick spends his everyday deep within the halls of the science of cheese, as a researcher who creates new dairy products, primarily, cheeses.
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Science, Humor, Education and Brilliance
- By Mr.CS on 01-05-15
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18 Miles
- The Epic Drama of Our Atmosphere and Its Weather
- By: Christopher Dewdney
- Narrated by: Angelo Di Loreto
- Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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We live at the bottom of an ocean of air - 5,200 million million tons, to be exact. It sounds like a lot, but Earth’s atmosphere is smeared onto its surface in an alarmingly thin layer - 99 percent contained within 18 miles. Yet, within this fragile margin lies a magnificent realm - at once gorgeous, terrifying, capricious, and elusive. With his keen eye for identifying and uniting seemingly unrelated events, Chris Dewdney reveals to us the invisible rivers in the sky that affect how our weather works and the structure of clouds and storms and seasons, the rollercoaster of climate.
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10% science, 90% other stuff
- By Daniel W. Fox, Jr. on 10-09-20
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Atomic Accidents
- A History of Nuclear Meltdowns and Disasters; From the Ozark Mountains to Fukushima
- By: James Mahaffey
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 15 hrs and 54 mins
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From the moment radiation was discovered in the late nineteenth century, nuclear science has had a rich history of innovative scientific exploration and discovery, coupled with mistakes, accidents, and downright disasters.
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A NUCLEAR POINT OF VIEW
- By chetyarbrough.blog on 01-05-15
By: James Mahaffey
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Life’s Ratchet
- How Molecular Machines Extract Order from Chaos
- By: Peter M. Hoffman
- Narrated by: Paul Hodgson
- Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
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The cells in our bodies consist of molecules, made up of the same carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms found in air and rocks. But molecules, such as water and sugar, are not alive. So how do our cells - assemblies of otherwise "dead" molecules - come to life, and together constitute a living being? In Life’s Ratchet, physicist Peter M. Hoffmann locates the answer to this age-old question at the nanoscale.
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For biologists to learn single molecule biophysics
- By A Synthetic Biologist on 09-04-14
By: Peter M. Hoffman
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The Equations of Life
- How Physics Shapes Evolution
- By: Charles S. Cockell
- Narrated by: Ian Porter
- Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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In The Equations of Life, biologist Charles S. Cockell makes the forceful argument that the laws of physics narrowly constrain how life can evolve, making evolution's outcomes predictable. If we were to find something very much like a lady bug eating something very much like an aphid on a distant planet, we shouldn't be surprised. The forms of life are guided by a limited set of rules, and, as a result, there is a narrow set of solutions to the challenges of existence.
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Too many equations, not enough insights
- By Alec Drumm on 09-24-18
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Consider the Fork
- A History of How We Cook and Eat
- By: Bee Wilson
- Narrated by: Alison Larkin
- Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Since prehistory, humans have braved the business ends of knives, scrapers, and mashers, all in the name of creating something delicious - or at least edible. In Consider the Fork, award-winning food writer and historian Bee Wilson traces the ancient lineage of our modern culinary tools, revealing the startling history of objects we often take for granted. Charting the evolution of technologies from the knife and fork to the gas range and the sous-vide cooker, Wilson offers unprecedented insights.
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For the foodie/science geek/history buff in you
- By Nothing really matters on 08-30-14
By: Bee Wilson
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The Story of Earth
- The First 4.5 Billion Years, from Stardust to Living Planet
- By: Robert M. Hazen
- Narrated by: Walter Dixon
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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Earth evolves. From first atom to molecule, mineral to magma, granite crust to single cell to verdant living landscape, ours is a planet constantly in flux. In this radical new approach to Earth’s biography, senior Carnegie Institution researcher and national best-selling author Robert M. Hazen reveals how the co-evolution of the geosphere and biosphere - of rocks and living matter - has shaped our planet into the only one of its kind in the Solar System, if not the entire cosmos.
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Makes minerals interesting
- By Gary on 07-31-12
By: Robert M. Hazen
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Short Course in Beer
- An Introduction to Tasting and Talking About the World's Most Civilized Beverage
- By: Lynn Hoffman
- Narrated by: Adam Verner
- Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Straightforward and opinionated, Short Course in Beer is designed to turn the novice beer lover into an expert imbiber and the casual drinker into an enthusiast. Readers will come to understand the beauty of beer and the sources of its flavor, as well as learn which beers are worth our time and which are not. With tongue in cheek, the author examines beer's historical connections to the Crusades, the Hundred Years' War, and modern-day soccer riots. He talks frankly (and joyfully) about the effects of alcohol on the body and brain, he defends beer from its enemies, and ushers it out of the frat house and into the dining room.
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An Ok Beer Book
- By AppleCedAR on 10-21-13
By: Lynn Hoffman
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great info
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The spectacular culinary creations of modern cuisine are the stuff of countless articles and social media feeds. But to a scientist they are also perfect pedagogical explorations into the basic scientific principles of cooking. In Science and Cooking, Harvard professors Michael Brenner, Pia Sörensen, and David Weitz bring the classroom to your kitchen to teach the physics and chemistry underlying every recipe.
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A good book - with some winning points
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Symphony in C
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An enchanting biography of the most resonant - and most necessary - chemical element on Earth. Carbon. It's in the fibers in your hair, the timbers in your walls, the food that you eat, and the air that you breathe. It's worth billions as a luxury and half a trillion as a necessity, but there are still mysteries yet to be solved about the element that can be both diamond and coal. Where does it come from, what does it do, and why, above all, does life need it?
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There is a Caveat
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Interesting book!
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Step right up, trivia lovers, curious cats, and voracious know-it-alls, there's a new compendium in town. Introducing "Interesting Facts and Stories: A 3-in-1 Trilogy of the Most Interesting Facts and Stories - A Special Gift for Curious Minds." This isn't your run-of-the-mill fact book. No, sir. This is a rip-roaring, brain-tickling trilogy that's set to quench your thirst for knowledge and serve up some hearty laughs along the way. First up, we've got "Interesting Facts Unleashed," a globe-trotting, time-travelling tome that'll take you from the depths of the ocean to the outer reaches of...
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Napoleon's Buttons
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Napoleon's Buttons is the fascinating account of 17 groups of molecules that have greatly influenced the course of history. These molecules provided the impetus for early exploration, and made possible the voyages of discovery that ensued. The molecules resulted in grand feats of engineering and spurred advances in medicine and law; they determined what we now eat, drink, and wear. A change as small as the position of an atom can lead to enormous alterations in the properties of a substance.
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Wish one of the authors would have read this book
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Of all the dietary and nutritional claims pitched to us, what can we believe? How does cinnamon affect your health? How splendid is Splenda? Should you buy farmed, wild, or canned food? What's fishy about fish-oil supplements? Will a diet of Twinkies and M&M's lead to weight loss? Water from a tap or from a plastic bottle - which should you choose, and which is better for the environment? Should you carry your groceries home in plastic or brown paper? We all have questions, and Dr. Joe Schwarcz has the answers, some of which will astonish you.
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Excellent! Science-baced nutritional information.
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The Flip Side of History
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In this collection of true, quirky history, Steve Silverman provides fascinating tales to astonish and entertain. Covering a wide variety of topics, these stories that have been lost to history highlight the quirks, complexities, and curious nature of our species.
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Good stories
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At Home On The Throne Bathroom Reader, a Trivia Book for Adults & Teens
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WARNING: Reading this book while on the throne will make your bathroom breaks exceptionally entertaining, potentially causing delays in resuming your regular schedule! Ever pondered why reading in the bathroom makes you feel extra enlightened? Or the surprising truth about why some birds can sleep while standing up? (Hint: It's not due to their impeccable balance!) Hold onto your plungers, curious minds! Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure through history, science, pop culture and the bizarre... in the pages of "At Home On The Throne", a hilariously addictive Bathroom Reader! ...
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Virtual Voice Ruins It
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Chemistry for Breakfast
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Chemistry for Breakfast is a perfect book for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of chemistry without having prior knowledge of the science. With Mai as your guide, you'll find something fascinating everywhere around you.
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Great narrator, terrible book
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The Complete (Short) Guide to Absolutely Everything
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Humour and understandability.
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What listeners say about What Einstein Didn't Know
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Theodore
- 06-02-13
"Little Bit Of Everything" Science
This book is just a group of random science based questions about regular everyday phenomena. In all honesty you might never have thought about some of the "whys" that are answered in this book but once they are answered you find yourself nodding your head in agreement.
Robert Wolke simply seems to just think of random science questions related to everyday occurrences and answers them. I like Science... In fact I studied Chemistry at the University level so I very much liked this whole book. I was actually quite impressed at how he was able to make rather complex concepts sound quite easy. If I were doing High School level Science I believe this actually have been a good overview of everything science to make Science seem more relatable to everyday life and less abstract.
One thing I have to take away from this book is the lack of structure. Yes there was some semblance of what I just mentioned but it was generally broken up to inject some sense of humor or some added info. It was fun at times and did break up the monotony of what could easily have been a drawling book of random facts; however it also broke the flow at times. You will either love this about the book... hate this about the book or find it just plain annoying.
The narrator dry humor actually added to the listening value of the book and made it rather enjoyable to listen to. I might be a bit biased because I am a big fan of Sean Runnette from the Mark Tufo's Zombie Fallout books.
All in all, this was a nice book to listen to.
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11 people found this helpful
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- Robbie
- 09-05-14
Good everyday science
What other book might you compare What Einstein Didn't Know to and why?
I originally purchased this book because it seemed similar to David McRaney's books of You Are Not So Smart, and You Are Now Less Dumb, and I was not disappointed.
Any additional comments?
It was an interesting book, and answers some good everyday questions.
On a technicality, these are hardly things that "Einstein didn't know" - in fact, a couple of the "answers" in the book revolves around explaining E=M(C*C)! A previous reviewer remarked that the humour was ill suited for the book, and I agree, but this little bit made me chuckle.
My one problem with the book, is that in the last section, the author implies that magnetic therapies are somehow effective treatments for all sorts of medical ailments. It's very disappointing to be enjoying a light science book, only to have it grind to such an anti-scientific moment.
On a quirky side note for those in the skeptics movement and-the-like, I found that the narrators voice, delivery (and jokes) were very reminiscent of Ken Hovind. Except that what he was saying was scientific, of course!
Overall, an interesting book for the curious mind, and helps to put your existing scientific knowledge to practical use.
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- Meir
- 12-19-12
Interesting
Interesting book. somewhat repetitive in its contents. the title is unfortunate. this book is more about the wonders of chemistry than anything else.
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- Joseph
- 10-01-12
A funny thing happened on the way to a great book
What Einstein Didn’t Know is a book filled with the wonders of science in an easily digestible meal of molecule sized bites. Robert Wolke knows how to explain the mysteries of every day life by demystifying the science behind it.
But this would have been a better book without the constant injections of humour. Most of these attempts, I thought, fell flat and distracted from the real value of the prose. In addition, the author seemed to have issues with a list of professions which were the butt of many of his quips; lawyers, marketers, government and other easy targets. Sean Runnette, an excellent narrator, also seemed to struggle with this mix of “science explained” and “stand up comedy”.
As I write this review I remember many of the excellent explanations of atoms, molecules and ions and a few of the analogies to explain them, but none of the jokes.
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13 people found this helpful
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- Pilar
- 03-04-13
Good physical-chemistry review everyday phenomena
If you could sum up What Einstein Didn't Know in three words, what would they be?
explanations for laypersons
What was one of the most memorable moments of What Einstein Didn't Know?
Explanation why champagne bubbles
Which scene was your favorite?
Chemistry and cooking
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Physical-chemistry something interesting
Any additional comments?
The title of the book is what is unexplainable. It is only for capturing readers that surprise because Einstein does not appear any more in the text.
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- Scott Houston
- 06-03-20
Fascinating and Practical
Great book about science in every day life. Many details of science are very difficult to convey through a book. This writer did a very good job of explaining most in practical terms with a little humor and satire mixed in.
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- sandra
- 04-18-16
Brain food at its best!
If you have a thirst for knowledge this this book is for you! I will likely listen to this book again.
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- A. Yoshida
- 05-20-23
Filled With Scientific Facts
This book is filled with scientific facts about things that you might have pondered about, such as why the sky is blue, why alcohol is measured with "proof", what causes flames to be different colors, how soap finds dirt in clothes and removes it, does pumping air in a champagne bottle keep it bubbly, and much more.
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- William
- 09-24-12
Interesting
Easily explains everyday situations, and put them in layman's language. Narrator was very good and entertaining.
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3 people found this helpful
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- PixelBrine
- 09-25-12
Dry performance, Interesting info.
If you could sum up What Einstein Didn't Know in three words, what would they be?
Barrage of facts. Easy to understand but dryly performed.
Would you listen to another book narrated by Sean Runnette?
Maybe
Any additional comments?
This book is good for the information it contains. Not the kind of trivia book that can be picked up at any point and just as easily understood though. It starts with some basic scientific principles and builds on many of them throughout the book. It is well written but not delivered as entertainingly as it could have been. The narration is adequate but not terribly enthusiastic. Tho same meter, pitch, and tone tends to blend together after awhile.
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