📖 Overview
David Feldman is an American author and radio host best known for his "Imponderables" series of books that explore and explain everyday mysteries and curiosities. His books have sold over 2 million copies worldwide and have been translated into multiple languages.
Feldman began publishing his Imponderables series in 1986 with "Why Do Clocks Run Clockwise?" and has since written more than a dozen books in the series. The books tackle questions ranging from everyday phenomena to obscure trivia, providing well-researched explanations with a characteristic blend of humor and scientific accuracy.
Beyond his writing career, Feldman hosted the syndicated radio program "The David Feldman Show" and has contributed to various media outlets. He holds degrees from Brandeis University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, though he left law practice to pursue writing full-time.
His work has earned recognition in academic circles for making science and everyday phenomena accessible to general readers. Feldman continues to research and write about unusual questions and unexplained mysteries, maintaining an active presence in both traditional and digital media.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Feldman's clear explanations of everyday mysteries and his humorous writing style. His "Imponderables" books receive praise for blending entertainment with educational content.
What readers liked:
- Concise answers to interesting questions
- Well-researched information presented in digestible chunks
- Engaging format that makes science accessible
- Useful as a reference book or casual reading
- Good for sparking conversations
What readers disliked:
- Some answers feel rushed or incomplete
- Later books in series repeat content from earlier volumes
- Occasional dated references
- Some readers found the humor forced
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: Average 4.3/5 across all books
Goodreads: 3.8/5 average rating
- "Why Do Clocks Run Clockwise?" - 3.9/5
- "When Do Fish Sleep?" - 3.7/5
- "How Does Aspirin Find a Headache?" - 3.8/5
One reader noted: "Perfect bathroom reading - short segments you can pick up anytime." Another wrote: "Fun facts, but I wish the explanations went deeper."
📚 Books by David Feldman
Imponderables: The Solution to the Mysteries of Everyday Life - A collection examining unusual questions about common phenomena, from why moths are attracted to light to why we get ice cream headaches.
When Do Fish Sleep? And Other Imponderables of Everyday Life - An exploration of puzzling everyday questions about animals, food, the human body, and common behaviors.
Why Do Clocks Run Clockwise? And Other Imponderables - Answers to questions about common customs, practices, and observations from daily life.
Do Penguins Have Knees? And Other Imponderables of Life - Investigates peculiar questions about animal anatomy, human habits, and natural phenomena.
How Does Aspirin Find a Headache? And Other Imponderables - Addresses queries about medicine, health, the human body, and common remedies.
When Did Wild Poodles Roam the Earth? And Other Imponderables - Examines questions about animal origins, evolution, and human interactions with animals.
Who Put the Butter in Butterfly? And Other Fearless Investigations into Our Illogical Language - Explores the origins and oddities of common English words and phrases.
Do Elephants Jump? And Other Imponderables - Addresses questions about animal behavior, capabilities, and characteristics.
When Do Fish Sleep? And Other Imponderables of Everyday Life - An exploration of puzzling everyday questions about animals, food, the human body, and common behaviors.
Why Do Clocks Run Clockwise? And Other Imponderables - Answers to questions about common customs, practices, and observations from daily life.
Do Penguins Have Knees? And Other Imponderables of Life - Investigates peculiar questions about animal anatomy, human habits, and natural phenomena.
How Does Aspirin Find a Headache? And Other Imponderables - Addresses queries about medicine, health, the human body, and common remedies.
When Did Wild Poodles Roam the Earth? And Other Imponderables - Examines questions about animal origins, evolution, and human interactions with animals.
Who Put the Butter in Butterfly? And Other Fearless Investigations into Our Illogical Language - Explores the origins and oddities of common English words and phrases.
Do Elephants Jump? And Other Imponderables - Addresses questions about animal behavior, capabilities, and characteristics.
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Mary Roach investigates specific scientific subjects through research and first-hand experiences. Her books examine unusual questions about the human body and scientific phenomena.
A.J. Jacobs conducts personal experiments and research projects to explore different aspects of culture and knowledge. He documents his experiences testing various lifestyles and investigating historical practices.
John Lloyd compiles collections of facts and discoveries in a question-and-answer format. His books present information about science, history, and general knowledge through connected themes.