A Walk Around the Block

Stoplight Secrets, Mischievous Squirrels, Manhole Mysteries & Other Stuff You See Every Day (And Know Nothing About)

By: Spike Carlsen

Narrated by: Daniel Henning

A simple walk around the block set journalist Spike Carlsen, bestselling author of A Splintered History of Wood, off to investigate everything he could about everything we take for granted in our normal life—from manhole covers and recycling bins to bike lanes and stoplights.

In this celebration of the seemingly mundane, Carlsen opens our eyes to the engineering marvels, human stories, and natural wonders right outside our front door. He guides us through the surprising allure of sewers, the intricacies of power plants, the extraordinary path of an everyday letter, and the genius of recycling centers—all the while revealing that this awesome world isn’t just a spectator sport.

Engaging as it is endearing, A Walk Around the Block will change the way you see things in your everyday life. Join Carlsen as he strolls through the trash museum of New York City, explores the quirky world of squirrels, pigeons, and roadkill, and shows us how understanding stoplights, bike lanes, and fine art of walking can add years to our lives. In the end, he brings a sense of wonder into your average walk around the block, wherever you are. Guaranteed.

Interesting

The author takes an interesting approach to how the world immediately around us works. I enjoyed listening, and probably learned a few things. I didn't think the explanations were especially deep, More like the musings of someone with a curious mind.

If you've ever read The Mezzanine, by Nicholson Baker, I think you'll be a little disappointed in this Walk Around the Block. Baker manages to delve into the pedestrian world around us in a more profound and detailed way, using extensive and entertaining footnotes to fill in the details.

Of the two, I enjoyed the style and content, and I'd more highly recommend The Mezzanine, but this book certainly contained some interesting explorations of the world that surrounds us. A Walk Around the Block was just not nearly as imaginative or fun to read.

it was just fun

interesting and easy to pick up or to come back to later infotainment for any age , get it !!

A lot of info about our world (some wrong)

I really wanted to give this a higher rating. I love learning things about my everyday world. There are, however, some problems with this book. First and foremost being egregious errors. Such as the assertion early in the book that the electrical transformers you see on utility poles "reduces the current". Wrong. They reduce the voltage. When talking about the benefits of walking they state that moderate walking reduces the likelihood of breast cancer in women. Wrong (or at least probably not true). The book is confusing correlation with causation. It's still worth reading (or listening to) because it does contain a lot of interesting information about the world we live in. Such as why electrical outlets are at a particular height above the floor in your home and why manhole covers are round. However, given some of the egregious errors I noticed on topics where I have some knowledge I can't help but wonder if the reason given for the height of electrical outlets in a home, or any other assertion, is correct.

🎵These are the people in your neighborhood 🎵

I loved learning about everything we take for granted as one passed by them every day, but even better were the insights and experiences of the people who do incredible things that many of us consider mundane or have never really thought about how these things get done. The trash section was incredible.

Eye opening book!

Spike Carlson will focus in on everyday life events you never care to think about or look at before. I thought his book was very interesting and I learned many fun facts from him. I have know started to think about what else has been passing me by and what everyday items I should learn more about. Will read again thanks Spike!