[Book Recommendation] The things that nobody knows - 501 Mysteries of life, the universe, and everything

Some years back I purchased the book The things that nobody knows - 501 Mysteries of life, the universe, and everything by William Hartston (Book on Goodreads). But I never got around to read it, until NOW! This will not be a deep dive into the exact content but rather an argument for why you should definitely need to read this book.

Mr. Hartston does not dive into topics he know the answer to nor limits him to trivial topics. The tittle encompasses the concept is perfect. The book covers science, history, psychology, arts, and more. But not on topics we actually knows answers too, but those we don’t. Which makes this book a fascinating reading. Why did Edgar Allan Poe wear someone else clothes when he died_, Does Californium exists naturally on earth, and _What is the penguin population of Antarctica are just a few of the topics covered. All of which we have no answer too and some we likely never will.

So why do I believe you should read this book. Well, the book presents numerous different questions and give a rough explanation of each about why we do not know how to answer it. Some may think why do I want to read it then, if it doesn’t give answers? Well, at least for me, it prompted me to research some of the topics. Which made me learn more and gain knowledge, always a good thing I believe. Also its a good topic to discuss at a party as it is also fully of little fun facts. Like lesbian albatross are common. But more importantly, it gives us a narrow introductory gauge into how little we actually know. A certain level of humility is instilled and you will start to wonder about what of this can we one day know the answer to.

For some of the question raised my Mr. Hartston the answer is likely that we will never know. For others its a question of scientific studies. Like did the sun consume a planet? And that is just plain old fascinating. The book is for the curious, the one that wants to know what is not known. It is a gift for the arrogant, that thinks he/she knows it all. I will guarantee you there is something in the book for that person.

The book is a series puzzle with no clear answer and that is again simply fascinating. I highly recommend it for anyone who are curious and can accept to be left with more questions than answers.

./Lars