The Way Things Work Now

As fresh and funny as ever, a classic compendium of physics in action gets a light but needed makeover.Most of the "Things" here are still working the way they did back in 1988, 1998, and 2004, when the original and the revised editions dropped--but along with sporting new and spruced-up colors, some of the content, notably the section dubbed "The Digital Domain," has been brought into the 21st century. Thus, the space shuttle and the VCR are no more, the workings of the telephone have been replaced by those of smartphones and telephone networks, and the jump jet has given way to the quadcopter and other types of drones. But the details that made the earlier editions delightful as well as edifying remain. In the illustrations, flights of tiny angels move the "first whoopee cushion" into place, discombobulated woolly mammoths get caught up in silly side business while helping to demonstrate scientific principles, and best of all, Macaulay's brilliantly designed, engagingly informal diagrams and cutaways bring within the grasp of even casual viewers a greater understanding of the technological wonders of both past and present. Necessary for every library, personal or otherwise. (index) (Reference. 11-15) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2016

Gr 6 Up-It's been 28 years since Macaulay's brilliant volume exploded on the scene and 12 since its last updating, and with the technological world quickly evolving, this incarnation is more than welcome. Covering everything from the simplest of machines to the modern microcompressor, Macaulay uses clever illustrations and a lucid (often amusing) text to explain the complex interrelationships of the mechanical world. But it is the illustrations that catch the eye. Yes, the woolly mammoths still galumph through the pages, demonstrating such principles as heat by radiating warmth while acting as a rotund clothes dryer. Small people also potter about, dancing to a record player (yes, still included), pulping wood, and tilting at windmills. Small flutters of angels appear, positioning camshafts and adjusting camera lenses. But these seemingly frivolous drawings focus readers' attention on the matter at hand. "Things," both in the real world and in this book, have changed. The writing is tighter. Color has burst into the illustrations, making the whole hefty tome appear lighter and brighter. Some elements have vanished: the elevator is gone; the escalator remains. Hybrid cars appear while the tape recorder has slipped away, as has the compact disc player. Sections on the computer and robots have been completely redone. A small note: Briticisms are back. The mechanical world is evolving at warp speed, and the solidly printed page cannot keep up. But that is no reason not to embrace this long-awaited update to one of the more original books ever printed. VERDICT A delightful choice for browsing and reference.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2017
Last revised in 1998 as The New Way Things Work, this new edition of Macaulay's 1988 classic The Way Things Work brings us into the smartphone era. While the chapter on -the digital domain- receives the most new material, there is new information in many chapters (e.g., the jump jet replaced by the quadcopter); color has been added and refreshed throughout.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2016
Last revised in 1998 as The New Way Things Work, this new edition of Macaulay's 1988 classic The Way Things Work (rev. 3/89) brings us into the smartphone eraand you can even read it on one, too! While the chapter on the digital domain receives the most new material, there is new information in most chapters (the jump jet replaced by the quadcopter, for example), and color has been added and refreshed throughout. roger sutton

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from August 1, 2016
As fresh and funny as ever, a classic compendium of physics in action gets a light but needed makeover.Most of the Things here are still working the way they did back in 1988, 1998, and 2004, when the original and the revised editions droppedbut along with sporting new and spruced-up colors, some of the content, notably the section dubbed The Digital Domain, has been brought into the 21st century. Thus, the space shuttle and the VCR are no more, the workings of the telephone have been replaced by those of smartphones and telephone networks, and the jump jet has given way to the quadcopter and other types of drones. But the details that made the earlier editions delightful as well as edifying remain. In the illustrations, flights of tiny angels move the first whoopee cushion into place, discombobulated woolly mammoths get caught up in silly side business while helping to demonstrate scientific principles, and best of all, Macaulays brilliantly designed, engagingly informal diagrams and cutaways bring within the grasp of even casual viewers a greater understanding of the technological wonders of both past and present. Necessary for every library, personal or otherwise. (index) (Reference. 11-15)

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.