The Importance of Being Trivial by Mark Mason

The Importance of Being Trivial by Mark Mason

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Summary

Explores why little facts hold such a big fascination. This book examines what our love of trivia says about us. It covers topics from the history of science to the psychology of knowledge. It tells how memory works, and why Einstein and Picasso had more in common than you'd think.

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The Importance of Being Trivial by Mark Mason

If you're not remotely interested in the fact that Pete Conrad was the first man to fall over on the moon or that the stretch of road between the Strand and the Savoy is the only public highway in Britain where you are legally obliged to drive on the right, then The Importance of Being Trivial is very definitely not for you. If on the other hand you're intrigued by these pearls of information - and more importantly, intrigued by why you're intrigued by them - then Mark Mason's book will be required reading. An exploration of why little facts hold such a big fascination (interviews with the likes of John Sessions), it examines what our love of trivia says about us. Ranging from the history of science to the psychology of knowledge (with contributions from medical experts such as Simon Baron-Cohen), Mason sets out to discover the perfect fact. Along the way he learns how memory works, why Einstein and Picasso had more in common than you'd think, and - in asking why trivia is such a male pursuit - he uncovers fundamental truths about how men and women relate to each other.
Mark Mason's previous non-fiction includes The Bluffer's Guide To Football and The Bluffer's Guide To Bond. He is also the author of three novels, and has written for most British national newspapers (though never about anything too heavy), and magazines from The Spectator to Four Four Two.
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9781847945174
ISBN 10 1847945171
Title The Importance of Being Trivial
Author Mark Mason
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Paperback
Publisher Cornerstone
Year published 2008-06-26
Number of pages 320
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.