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mental floss presents Forbidden Knowledge: A Wickedly Smart Guide to History's Naughtiest Bits | 
 enlarge | Author: Editors Of Mental Floss
Publisher: Collins
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $10.17
You Save: $4.78 (32%)
New (28) Used (38) Collectible (2) from $4.88
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 98749
Media: Paperback
Pages: 320
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7.4 x 0.9
ISBN: 006078475X
Dewey Decimal Number: 031.02
EAN: 9780060784751
ASIN: 006078475X
Publication Date: November 1, 2005
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Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Think of anything bad, from art heists to Genghis Kahn, and it's likely to be included in this wickedly smart and humorous guide to the seedy underbelly of basically everything. The brainiac team at "mental_floss", creators of the hit magazine and last year's Condensed Knowledge, have scoured the darkest, dirtiest corners of history and the globe to gather this ultimate collection of the bad stuff you're not supposed to know and you certainly never learned in school. Organized by theme, with chapters for each of the seven deadly sins, the book includes feuds, plagiarists, hoaxes, lies, schemes, scandals, evil dictators, mob bosses, acts of revenge, angry queens, cannibals and much more, all organized into bite-sized—albeit foul-tasting—lists (i.e."The Fascist Style Guide: Five Dictator Grooming Tips", “Four Biblical Girls Gone Wild" and “Three Delicious Animals We Charbroiled Into Extinction."). It's the perfect way to add some spice to a dull conversation and proves that learning can be not only easy, but exquisitely sinful.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 mental_floss keeps me sharp December 13, 2005
John Woodson (Hamilton, OH)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
I've been a mental_floss magazine subscriber from "the early days" and picked up "Condensed Knowledge" as well. So when I saw in a recent issue that a new book was coming, I knew I had to get it. I wasn't disappointed.
Where "Condensed Knowledge" added humor and interesting twists to what might otherwise have been mundane information, "Forbidden Knowledge" is perhaps even better because of the subject matter. There are seven chapters, one concerning each of the seven deadly sins. The material is (like the first book) both funny and informative, and the "evil" nature of the subject matter makes it all the more readable. Fortunately, even though the material is more "dark," it never gets mean-spirited or nasty.
Seems like most of the history/reference/nonfiction books I see today get a kick out of annihilating specific ideas, or persons, or companies. I'm glad "Forbidden Knowledge" covers the evil side of life without having to put a political or moral judgment on things. It's just plain facts, mixed with fun comments that makes it easier to absorb the material.
And with different writers throughout the book, the reading never gets boring. It's almost like an extended version of the magazine, which makes it well worth the price. It's great, though, that it's all-new material and not just reprints of stuff that already appeared in previous issues.
Bravo, mental_floss. Never change (unless you want to go monthly, that is). Here's my idea for a third book in the series: "Knowledge Flakes" -- with a cover like a cereal box, filled with stuff about some of the flakiest persons in history. You'd have no shortage of material there!
 Not as good as expected. January 1, 2006
B. K. Johnston (Lamar, Missouri United States)
15 out of 26 found this review helpful
I am a magazine-rack reader of mental_floss magazine, so when I heard that this book come out, I snatched it up.
I was terribly dissappointed. The infomation wasn't *that* tittilating, and there were some points that were wrong. For example, the "Hitler was a vegetarian" urban legend (if I recall correctly, one of his favorite dishes was stuffed squab, i.e. poultry, i.e. meat) was rehashed here. I reccommend "An Underground Education" by Robert Zacks instead- same concept, but better execution.
 Wickedly Smart Indeed... January 30, 2006
R. E. Bentley (OH, USA)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
Mental_Floss Presents Forbidden Knowledge: A Wickedly Smart Guide to History's Naughtiest Bits. Wow, what a great book. This is a must have for history buffs (especially the ones who think they already know everything there is to know about history) and trivia mavens alike. Ever wondered which President was the laziest? Thought Madame Curie was as pure as the driven snow? Called Meat Loaf anything besides 'international superstar'? Forbidden Knowledge will take care of that for you. Never let anyone say "History isn't interesting!" Downside to this book: While some will be impressed with your knowledge of band frontmen who sold their souls to the devil and rulers who died of syphillis, some will find it just annoying. Don't let that keep you from reading it, just consider covering your mouth with duct tape for a few days afterwards.
The book that makes it cool to be smart November 18, 2005
Alexander Bratter
13 out of 17 found this review helpful
I try to spend a lot of time learning as much as i can about anything, and the mental floss organization turned out to be the perfect solution to my desire. Their whole business is dedicated to teaching people unique facts about not so unique subjects. When you want to find descriptions of random topics, mental floss is their, and this book tells you all of the crazy, seemingly unknown facts about famous people and incidents in history. I highly recommend this and all of their publications!!
History's best gossip January 6, 2006
Shannon (Chicago)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
I bought this book for something light and fun... My roomates spotted it on the coffee table and I've had to wait in line to read it. You will find yourself laughing out loud and feeling thankful that there are people who went down in history that are more vain, greedy, jealous, and lazy than you! Skim it over if you don't believe me, you won't put it down.
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