Packed with Fascinating Facts and InsightsNovember 12, 2008 This is a very enjoyable book based on interesting psychological research. It reveals many fascinating things. People whose names became Den are more likely than average to become dentists and people whose names begin law are more likely than average to become lawyers. There are more murders than average in the week following a major boxing match. The book is more than a list of interesting trivia. It explains the research that was carried out and analyses the likely causes. A wonderful read.
Couldn't put it down!September 22, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you are one of those people who love collecting useless, and not so useless, information then this is for you. I've already quoted excerpts to lots of people and it has led to many fascinating discussions!
It also gives a link to the quirkology website that lets you keep on reading and gives access to several video clips of quirkology items.
If the name/profession link described in the book also works by association, then perhaps it explains why my dad became a computer programmer in the 60's - when he married my mum her initials were IBM!
The wonderful world of Quirk...July 29, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Wiseman certainly chose the right title for this book - it is quirktastic! As he takes us on a journey through the bizarre, surreal and fascinating world of everyday phenomena, Wiseman justifies his position as Britain's (only) professor for the Public Understanding of Psychology many times over.
For the most part our writer effortlessly takes the mundane and presents a series of experiments which instantly reveal a wealth of curious insights into the more lighthearted side of the human condition. Of particular `quirk' were the sections devoted to superstition (why people would rather wear a jumped that was dropped in dog muck than was washed but had been worn by a mass murderer), jokes (why weasels are the funniest animal and K the most humorous of the alphabet letters) and kindness (which group of people are most likely to post a undelivered letter addressed to `Friends of the Nazi Party' and how to convince people to promote collectivism in their back gardens). Less exciting was his talk of names (p.136) and tallness (p.149) and their influence on people in society. Although mundane to me but quite possibly quirky to you...?
Overall a thoroughly entertaining book which, excluding the abovementioned sections, could only have been improved if Wiseman (who possesses a personality as quirky as his book) had popped out and read it aloud to me!
P.S I would have given this 4.5 stars had Amazon's little rigid system let me..
A quirky book filled with good pub ammoJune 28, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is very easy to read and hard to put down. It answers all those questions that we all have but are afraid to ask because they are not deemed to be "clever" enough.
Buy this and then when the converstation is running dry just mention one of the numerous facts and quirks that you have learned. You will impress and enlighted those around you.
BrilliantJune 20, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A fantastic book, I was gripped from start to finish. Richard Wiseman sums up a few of the subjects covered towards the end of the book that would prove great conversation at a dinner party. This does not disapoint. The book is written so well it reads itself, and the humour is present throughout. As a first psycology book, I found it left me wanting to read more about our curious Quirkological behaviours (and the ingenious ways scientists have found to expose them).
