Marvel at the sheer brilliance of invention, from glass to underpants, the noble compass to the humble pencil. Not forgetting, of course, the undeniably indispensable banana suitcase. Filled with fascinating details about everything from the most common everyday object to inventions which changed society, it will also distinguish the strokes of genius from discoveries of sheer chance, or millennia of evolution ...And reveal the real reason why Alfred Nobel had to establish a peace prize (tut, tut). Expand your knowledge of man's accomplishments in the most compelling - and irreverent - way possible.

101 marvellous facts, brilliantly explained: Why do we have nails? Why is the sky blue? Why can birds stand on electric wires and not be electrocuted? Educate your child with minimum effort, and in blissful peace and quiet. The perfect source of fascinating facts for any child who doesn't want to be Boring when they Grow Old.

101 Things to Do Before You Die

by Richard Horne

Published 20 September 2004
Have you ever Milked a Cow? Made the "Guinness Book of World Records"? Done the Monopoly Board pub crawl? Joined the Mile High Club? No? Then it's high time you reassessed your priorities. "101 Things To Do Before You Die" is the definitive guide to everything you should do before it's too late...and you bite the dust without even Getting a Tattoo or Getting Off With A Rock Star.