Scientific American: How Things Work Today

I loved this book. It has huge, very clear cutaway illustrations that show exactly what's behind-the-scenes of a whole range of everyday objects. Lots of different objects are covered, from apparently ordinary things such as subways and elevators to more hi-tech things like computers. It's fascinating to find out what goes on under the covers. There are some quite long essays on everyday materials for people who like more words. There's also quite a handy science section at the back. Given how much information it contains, I thought this book was pretty good value for money.

I have had a blast reading through this book, and have learned more practical knowledge from it than any other that I can remember.Each pair of pages in the book describes the inner workings of many of the modern machines that we use every day, ranging from microwaves to photocopiers, from your car's turbocharger to suspension bridges. Cut-away diagrams display the innards of these machines, allowing one to see what normally only professionals and enthusiasts deal with.The book is written in a manner that most pre-teens could understand, yet it contains more information than even the most technologically-advanced buff would ever know. An appendix in the back describes the basic scientific terms that were used through the book, for those who have yet to learn these things, or have forgotten.I truly loved this book. It is a great feeling to have a basic understanding of how nearly everything we use works. You will never look at an escalator in the same way! This book would make an excellent gift!

for all those who are fascinated by SCIAM's "working knowledge", this book is going to keep you awake nights wondering about escalators, cell phones and holograms. for others who are nevertheless curious, inquisitive and have a scientific bent of mind, this book would be poetry for your brains. read this book and the next time you see a car, you would look beyond the 4 wheels and the steering wheel! amazingly wellwritten.