📖 Overview
Does Anything Eat Wasps? compiles reader questions and expert answers from New Scientist magazine's "Last Word" column. The book addresses scientific queries ranging from everyday phenomena to obscure natural mysteries.
Each chapter tackles a different category of questions, with topics spanning physics, biology, human behavior, and technology. Scientists and subject matter experts provide clear explanations backed by research and empirical evidence.
The format alternates between brief questions and detailed responses, maintaining a brisk pace while delivering substantive scientific content. The explanations avoid technical jargon in favor of accessible language.
This collection demonstrates how scientific inquiry can illuminate the curiosities that cross our minds in daily life. The questions reveal the human drive to understand the world around us, while the answers showcase the rigor of scientific investigation.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this as a fun collection of science trivia that works well for casual reading in short bursts. Many note they learned interesting facts while being entertained.
Liked:
- Questions and answers are concise and clear
- Blend of serious science and humor
- Good for reading a few pages at a time
- Accessible explanations of complex topics
Disliked:
- Some answers feel too brief or simplified
- Quality varies between entries
- UK-centric references can confuse international readers
- A few readers found the tone trying too hard to be witty
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings)
Amazon UK: 4.3/5 (190+ ratings)
Amazon US: 4.2/5 (90+ ratings)
Review quotes:
"Perfect bathroom reading material" - Goodreads reviewer
"Answers range from fascinating to underwhelming" - Amazon reviewer
"Like having a conversation with smart friends" - Barnes & Noble reviewer
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Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze? by New Scientist The sequel to Does Anything Eat Wasps presents answers to science questions from everyday phenomena through the lens of physics, biology, and chemistry.
The Science of Why by Jay Ingram A compilation of explanations for common phenomena from the natural world addresses questions about animals, human behavior, and physical processes.
Big Questions from Little People by Gemma Elwin Harris Scientists and experts provide answers to children's questions about science, nature, and the universe using research-based evidence and factual data.
Brain Scanner by New Scientist A collection of scientific investigations explores mysteries of the human brain through questions submitted by readers about consciousness, memory, and behavior.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔬 "Does Anything Eat Wasps?" originated from New Scientist magazine's "Last Word" column, where readers ask and answer quirky science questions.
🐝 Wasps are indeed eaten by several creatures, including birds, dragonflies, spiders, and even some larger wasps - answering the book's titular question.
📚 The book became a surprise bestseller in 2005, reaching #1 on Amazon UK's bestseller list and selling over 2 million copies worldwide.
🤔 The full title is actually "Does Anything Eat Wasps?: And 101 Other Questions," though the book contains even more questions and answers than promised.
🌟 The book spawned several successful sequels, including "Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze?" and "Do Polar Bears Get Lonely?", all following the same reader-driven Q&A format.