[books] Caveman Chemistry

[chadu]

When I come across a book that I think would appeal to four of my friends, all of whom have different interests and insights, I think it's worth posting about.

(cjpetherick, ericrowe, princeofcairo, and whswhs, I'm looking at you.)

The book I'm talking about is Caveman Chemistry: 28 Projects, from the Creation of Fire to the Production of Plastics, by Kevin M. Dunn

Comments

[aghrivaine]

if I were to fall into a time-warp or dimensional-portal*, flinging me into the far past or the postapocalyptic future

I have thought about this for a long time, too - even to the point of always having a "go bag" somewhere nearby. Just in case. And from time to time and at utterly random moments, I'll think, "If I got zapped into another dimension right now, how equipped to survive would I be?"

[princeofcairo]

I comfort myself with the knowledge that, statistically speaking, nobody is flung into a parallel timeline or fantasy world they don't have the precise skill set to dominate and flourish in.

Which may mean that I'm due to be flung into the Cthulhu Mythos. Crap.

[chadu]

Better you than me, Gunga Din.

[jeffr23]

That's only for individuals. When your small town/community/apartment building is flung into a parallel timeline or fantasy world, at least half of the people are unprepared enough to die off during chapter 3...

[zonemind]

Finally, an upside to having no skills.

[lysystratae]

ooooooooooooooooooo.... that goes on my christmas list

[reverancepavane]

My book of choice for being hurled into the distant past has always been the Rubber Bible, otherwise and less colloquially known as the latest edition of the CRC Handbook of Physics and Chemistry.
[Although, in truth, a good guide to the flora of the time would probably be of more use for me, since that is a seriously big hole in my survival expertise. Or even better, take one of my herbalist friends with me. The ones who know how to analyse the possible utility and danger of all that green stuff, both medically, as food, and as shelter.]
But I'd happily exchange it all for a good metal knife. Until you've been forced to improvise you don't understand how vital a survival tool this is (my favourite tale is of an Amazon tribesman being given an iron machete and happily going on a rampage destroying jungle with it because he finally can).
[Then again, while I haven't mastered any of the skill sets mentioned, I've worked with people who have, and who have taught me the rudiments and some useful tricks.]
The good thing about these sorts

[reverancepavane]

Oh, and you might enjoy the BBC show Rough Science (particularly the first series; later series get less "rough" and more technologically sophisticated).
And now you've gotten me curious as to the best way of building a dung heap...

[vvalkyri]

ooh cool! one major regret from college was that i stayed in choir senior year instead of taking a crossreg class at MIT in anthropology -- material science.