The Mechanical Horse: How the Bicycle Reshaped American Life, by Margaret Guroff looked to be one of those nice little history books I enjoy. And, mostly it was, but I will say right up front here that I liked the first part of the book the best! An early name for the bicycle was "velocipede" (constructed from words for 'swift' and 'foot', p. 7). It had no pedals, mostly just a seat on a frame and the rider pushed it with his feet. The flats weren't so bad, downhill a thrill, but uphill hard (they could weigh as much as 70 pounds). As early as July 1819 there was a report of a child being hit because some one was riding on the sidewalk. Since there were no decent roads, interest soon waned. It returned after the Civil War, now with pedals (but still no brakes). Bigger wheels made it easier to cover ground, but harder to get on and off. Soon the size would become what we see today. Women were interested too ... and what a brouhaha they caused what with bloomers and showing off their ankles! Objections were made both moral and medical against the riding of such dangerous things! One serious outcome was "bicycle face" which was a permanent change in one's appearance due to the 'stress of incessant balancing'! (p. 47). Fun bits of trivia included why we call a road a turn pike, and why we say we'll ship an item when it travels in a wheeled mode of transportation. (And hey, you may enjoy the later chapters, too)!

There are many books about extremes (I've used a few in this very blog). They range from weather and sports to foods and couponing. I even saw titles on extreme knitting and origami! (And don't forget Lego creations). While 'extreme' is not used here, it did come to mind as I read The Queen's Dolls' House, by Lucinda Lambton. Created in 1920, it is a detailed replica of an aristocratic Edwardian residence. And I do mean detailed! There are paintings (by well known artists of the day) on the walls, wine in the bottles, monograms on the sheets and towels. There is running water, a working lift, and the gramophone plays wee records! The books in the library are the real thing (one is an original story by Arthur Conan Doyle). From the servants quarters, to a table set for a fancy dinner, to royal bathrooms, this is an amazing 'doll house'!

Every so often I read a book that pretty much baffles me. Think of something by Freeman Dyson or Stephen Hawking. This time the author is Janna Levin and the book is Black Hole Blues and Other Songs From Outer Space. I got started down this trail because Canadian Reader had seen and enjoyed the NOVA episode and had ordered the accompanying book. I missed NOVA (but am keeping an eye out for it) and went straight for the book. Its about the search for gravitational waves. And that's all I know! I enjoyed learning about the men and woman doing the searching, how they got started and so on, but beyond that my mind just sort of snaps shut! As with Dyson and Hawking, it's an interesting topic, good writing, but a at some point I'm thinking "huh?" Give it a try and see what you think! :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog