A Walk Around the Block, Spike Carlsen
A Walk Around the Block, Spike Carlsen
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
Club: $13.49

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

Author: Spike Carlsen

Narrator: Daniel Henning

Unabridged: 9 hr 12 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 10/20/2020


Synopsis

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. 

About Spike Carlsen

Spike Carlsen is the author of seven books, including ""A Splintered History of Wood: Belt Sander Races, Blind Woodworkers and Baseball Bats,"" which was selected as a NPR ""Best Book of the Year for Gift Giving."" He is former Executive Editor of Family Handyman magazine and has written articles for The Minneapolis Star Tribune, Men's Health, MAKE, Fine Homebuilding, Mother Earth News and other publications. He has made appearances on Modern Marvels, the CBS Early Show, Cabin Living, The Weekend Today Show, HGTV's ""25 Biggest Renovating Mistakes"" and many other national radio and television shows. Spike is an avid cyclist and woodworker. He and his wife Kat live in Stillwater, Minnesota in close proximity to their 5 kids and 9 granddaughters. Visit him at spikecarlsen.com.


Reviews

Crack this egg open and you will be soooooo busy running after the spreading fun you won't even be slightly irritated at the mess, the randomness, and the sharp turns ("now, for something completely different!). In fact, you may be as amused and soothed by the author's choices as I was. I loved this......more

Goodreads review by Jim

This was right up my alley. I love know how things work. While I knew quite a bit of the material, there was a lot I didn't & some things I wouldn't have thought of. This would be a good bathroom read in text. The chapters are short & self-contained. They all end with some fun trivia. Highly recomme......more

Goodreads review by Peter

Pretty good, pretty interesting, though the opening and closing sections were more up my alley than some of the middle. I do take issue with one brief section about shoveling snow. Because I am entering the territory of being an old man who cares about things like shoveling snow, let's take a look. Th......more