The Way Things Work

Picture from amazon.ca

The Way Things Work by David Macaulay is recommended by Pam Allyn in her book Best Books for Boys.

The book is incredibly detailed, with pictures, diagrams, and just enough text to explain how things work. It includes everything from sewing machines and clocks to flying machines, submersibles, engines, nuclear reactors, cameras, sound recordings, telescopes and seismographs. A comprehensive index lists all of the items covered.

This is a heavy-duty reference book and one that you might consider buying instead of borrowing from the library as we did. Although my son found it really interesting, it was too much to absorb in a three-week loan period. It might be better to have it around the house for browsing.

I read the original hardcover edition, which seems to be available only through used book sellers, like alibris. There is a newer edition as well called The New Way Things Work.