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Old 04-22-2014, 05:48 AM   #1
EbookNovice
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Best books to read for useful knowledge?
Hey guys, I just wanted to know if anyone could recommend a book that contained an encyclopedic-style list of general information that's useful to know.

I'd love a book that gave a list of useful things to know like the melting temperature of various materials, some interesting historical facts, et cetera. Really just things that are useful to know in our modern era.

Thanks for any help!
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Old 04-22-2014, 05:55 AM   #2
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You might look into Bill Bryson's books. He has written fascinating histories of homes, English language etc
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Old 04-22-2014, 06:32 AM   #3
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Additionally to MickeyC's great advice you can browse our long thread "Science ebook recommendations".
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Old 04-22-2014, 08:50 AM   #4
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The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge: A Desk Reference for the Curious Mind
http://www.amazon.com/York-Times-Gui...4/ref=pd_ybh_9

The Experts' Guide to 100 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do by Samantha Ettus
http://www.amazon.com/Experts-Guide-...ne+should+know
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Old 04-24-2014, 09:38 AM   #5
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EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.
 
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The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge: A Desk Reference for the Curious Mind
http://www.amazon.com/York-Times-Gui...4/ref=pd_ybh_9

The Experts' Guide to 100 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do by Samantha Ettus
http://www.amazon.com/Experts-Guide-...ne+should+know
Thanks!

Does anyone know if these two books contain genuine information? Is there a way for me to check?
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Old 04-24-2014, 11:25 AM   #6
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Seeing that they are on Aamzon, you should be able to download a sample.

If you don't have a Kindle device, you might need to download the Kindle4PC program.
Last edited by jersysman; 04-24-2014 at 11:26 AM. Reason: Added Kindle4PC stuff
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Old 04-24-2014, 01:44 PM   #7
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You can also "Look Inside" and at least see the table of contents.
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Old 04-24-2014, 11:10 PM   #8
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The New York Times is a reputable newspaper. Should be alright not unless they want to ruin their reputation.
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Old 04-26-2014, 10:48 AM   #9
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Bryson's "A Short History Of Nearly Everything" is excellent and is exactly the sort of book you've asked about: http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-...rly+everything

I also recommend the "World Almanac and Book of Facts 2014 Edition": http://www.amazon.com/World-Almanac-...ZQZYM8P0E7A8S8
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Old 04-26-2014, 09:17 PM   #10
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For my part, I was quite disappointed that no one seems to've compiled a list of Abbé Faria's 150 books (from _The Count of Monte Cristo_).

I thought _An Incomplete Education_ by Judy Jones and William Wilson was interesting enough back when it first came out:

http://www.amazon.com/Incomplete-Edu...lete+education

For free texts:

- The Best of Quora 2010--2012: http://qsf.cf.quoracdn.net/best_of_quora_2010-2012.pdf
- John Scalzi's _That Was The Millennium That Was_ had some fairly interesting information in it http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/07/3...a-free-e-book/

For my part, I've been trying to get some sens of history by reading biographies --- did almost all the American Presidents w/ my kids, and have been trying to put together a comprehensive list, chronologically ordered of biographies which I'd find interesting and worth reading....
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Old 05-03-2014, 07:24 AM   #11
EbookNovice
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EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.EbookNovice solves Fermat’s last theorem while doing the crossword.
 
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Thanks a lot guys!

Does anyone know if there are free e-books available that cover 'useful information'?
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Old 05-03-2014, 08:12 AM   #12
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Thanks a lot guys!

Does anyone know if there are free e-books available that cover 'useful information'?
Wikipedia?


Just Kidding! Everyone knows that wikipedia is fiction.

Check out CIA World Factbook; I believe there is a free downloadable.

My friend, Tom, pulls out his Pocket Ref at least once every couple of weeks because of some tangent in our conversations or other... be nice if they had an eBook version.
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Old 05-04-2014, 08:08 PM   #13
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The two which I noted as free are free to download.
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Old 05-07-2014, 04:38 PM   #14
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[snip]

I thought _An Incomplete Education_ by Judy Jones and William Wilson was interesting enough back when it first came out:

http://www.amazon.com/Incomplete-Edu...lete+education

[snip]
+1

Everything I should have learned in college, but was to busy chasing after skirts and drowning in shooters to learn.

Contains sections on art, economics, science, literature, psychology, religion, film, music, etc.

A short summary of everything. The authors have a very dry sense of humor.
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