The Best of Annals of Improbable Research

As a scientist and technical professional I couldn't put this book down. I have kept up with the the Annals of Improbable Research for many years and this truly reflects some of the best efforts of scientists the world over. In this volume we have works by legitimate Nobel prize winners, and lesser known works such as "Gummy Worm on a Sidewalk" by Kate and Jesse Eppers, ages 12 and 10, respectively. (In their conclusion they noted that: "We came to a conclusion that three out of five people will accidentally step on a gummy worm thrown on a sidewalk." Brilliant.)Highlights for me include: "The Laser Cheese Raclette", "The Effects of Peanut Butter on the Earth's Rotation," and, of course, "Internet Barbie and the Time Caplet." There are too many to go into, but almost all are delightful. I guess the only minor critique would be of the couple of pages of limericks, which I find a bit trying, particularly when the subject matter is "Mastodon, Mother, and Babe." Overall a wonderful, humorous look at scientists and science through a very different lens than most are used to.

As a scientist, I really enjoyed reading about the many funny quirks of scientific experimentation. Perhaps without these eccentricities, there would be no innovation! Great book!! If you enjoy "behind-the-bench" humor, I would like to suggest yet another book filled with hilarious situations and lots of candid, satirical wit on the life of scientists and their managers in high-tech R & D industry, from the point-of-view of the technical staff. This new, insightful American satire is entitled, "Management by Vice" by C.B. Don and is highly recommended as an entertaining, adjunct-read to the incredible "Annals of Improbable Research".

This book came home with my spouse about a year ago to be placed in my "reading" pile. I never could figure out what he was snickering at until I was looking for an article for math class. What a find! As a student teacher I've used "Aerodynamics of Potato Chips" and "Taxonomy of Barney" for evaluation of scientific study and an introduction to scientific inquiry. Most recently a classmate used "Aerodynamics of Potato Chips" with a group of middle school students who were interested in the distance of the standard toss as defined by the article (much to the horror of the custodial staff). From this initial investigation, the class moved into a more formal study of aerodynamics. This book is science educators dream! Fun and interesting articles that refocus attention, demonstrating that anything can be done scientifically, if one puts their mind to it. Its also an insight into the humor of science as who better to make fun of science than those who do it?

The Annals of Improbable Research is an institution by itself. A journal where Nobel Prize Winners amongst others write on the lighter side of science. Funny essays, stupid experiments, and completely non-sense conclusions, all of them scientifically backed up and explained. This Book collect some of the finest pearls that have appeared in the magazine and lets you wanting more. This book is the ultimate proof that your average Nobel Prize Winner can be a funny guy, and be able to laugh at himself and his work. Gives you a different (and funny) vision of science and scientists, by some of the best amongst them. A Definitive must buy if you are, even only remotly, linked to science, investigation, or technology. Your laughing source for when your experiment is going wrong at 3 a.m.

Journalistic disclaimer: I am the 'TFD' on page 67, under 'Sleep Research Update'. If you have any sense of humour whatsoever, this book is for you. Having just returned from Cambridge (our fair city), where I led the Historians for Feynman and Tanna Tuva as Queen of Gravitation at this years' Ig Nobels, I can promise you no end of Cosmic Giggles. Possibly the only book in history with blurbs from the Car Talk guys, a Nobel Prize winner, and the most glorious Martin Gardiner. Parents of small children: listen up! You cannot afford to miss the classic 'Taxonomy of Barney', much less 'The Aerodynamics of Potato(e) Chips'. Too funny for words.