A Walk Around the Block: Stoplight Secrets, Mischievous Squirrels, Manhole Mysteries & Other Stuff You See Every Day (And Know Nothing About)

By Spike Carlsen

“Carlsen sees a world of wonder hiding in plain sight and may just change how you look at the world around you.” - TODAY Show

A simple walk around the block set journalist Spike Carlsen, bestselling author of A Splintered History of Wood, off to investigate everything he could about everything we take for granted in our normal life—from manhole covers and recycling bins to bike lanes and stoplights.

In this celebration of the seemingly mundane, Carlsen opens our eyes to the engineering marvels, human stories, and natural wonders right outside our front door. He guides us through the surprising allure of sewers, the intricacies of power plants, the extraordinary path of an everyday letter, and the genius of recycling centers—all the while revealing that this awesome world isn’t just a spectator sport.

Engaging as it is endearing, A Walk Around the Block will change the way you see things in your everyday life. Join Carlsen as he strolls through the trash museum of New York City, explores the quirky world of squirrels, pigeons, and roadkill, and shows us how understanding stoplights, bike lanes, and fine art of walking can add years to our lives. In the end, he brings a sense of wonder into your average walk around the block, wherever you are. Guaranteed. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9780062954770

Spike Carlsen

Spike Carlsen is the author of seven books, including ""A Splintered History of Wood: Belt Sander Races, Blind Woodworkers and Baseball Bats,"" which was selected as a NPR ""Best Book of the Year for Gift Giving."" He is former Executive Editor of Family Handyman magazine and has written articles for The Minneapolis Star Tribune, Men's Health, MAKE, Fine Homebuilding, Mother Earth News and other publications. He has made appearances on Modern Marvels, the CBS Early Show, Cabin Living, The Weekend Today Show, HGTV's ""25 Biggest Renovating Mistakes"" and many other national radio and television shows. Spike is an avid cyclist and woodworker. He and his wife Kat live in Stillwater, Minnesota in close proximity to their 5 kids and 9 granddaughters. Visit him at spikecarlsen.com.

Reviews for A Walk Around the Block

[unclebob53703 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Some interesting trivia about the stuff lying around the neighborhood, where your water and electricity come from, where your waste goes, why manhole covers are round. It's a friendly book, and he names everyone he meets who gives him information and insight, but some of these pieces are a little puffy for my taste--is the power plant really that gosh darned wonderful? I think it might be a fun book to read before taking a walk around your neighborhood.

[jjbooklvr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great for learning about things you never think about in your neighborhood/city! I loved all the interesting facts and have a new appreciation for what’s around me! Perfect for fans of Bill Bryson.

[thepageladies · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In this celebration of the seemingly mundane, Carlsen opens our eyes to the engineering marvels, human stories, and natural wonders right outside our front door. He guides us through the surprising allure of sewers, the intricacies of power plants, the extraordinary path of an everyday letter, and the genius of recycling centers—all the while revealing that this awesome world isn’t just a spectator sport.

As engaging as it is endearing, A Walk Around the Block will change the way you see things in your everyday life

Join Carlsen as he strolls through the trash museum of New York City; explores the quirky world of squirrels, pigeons, and roadkill; and shows us how understanding stoplights, bike lanes, and the fine art of walking can add years to our lives.

Thank you Goodreads and HarperOne for a chance to read A Walk Around the Block by Spike Carlsen!

“To determine how long a stoplight will remain yellow, divide the speed limit by ten; in a fifty-five mile per hour zone, the signal will stay yellow for about five and a half seconds. Though the actual formula looks like something from Einstein's chalkboard. This calculation will get you within half a second. Regardless of speed limit, most yellows last at least three seconds.”

This book was full of little bits of interesting facts. I NEVER even heard more than half the stuff. But it was very interesting. Like on one page it talks about ten thing you should never flush. The second item on the list is, “dental floss it acts as a lasso binding together debris that can clog sewer pipes and equipment.” I had no idea you should not do that. I usually throw mine in the trash can under the sink but I do know a few people who do flush their floss and have been doing it for a long time. So, I'm going to give you one more small fact from this book because it’s a saying I think everyone has heard in their life time.

“GRASS DOES LOOK GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE”

“There is truth to the adage that the grass looks greener on the other side. When you're standing in your yard looking straight down, you see the dirt and bare spots between the blades of grass. But when you look over at your neighbor's yard at an angle, you see only green blades.”

Happy reading everyone!