A Catechism of Familiar Things; Their History, and the Events Which Led to Their Discovery


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(4 stars; 1 review)

This book, a reprint of a successful English publication, has been so enlarged as to be to all intents and purposes new. It has been carefully revised by a Reverend gentleman, who for some time filled the chair of Physics and Chemistry in one of our colleges. Recent inventions and improvements are described in a simple, popular style, so as to be easily understood by all, and short notices are given of prominent inventors and scientists. The paragraphs relating to doctrinal matters conform in every respect to the teachings of the Church. A feature which will commend the book to every teacher is the definitions of difficult words and terms, following the paragraphs in which such words occur. (from the Preface)

Chapters

Front matter 2:57 Read by Paul Williams
Dew, Water, Rain, Snow, Hail, Atmosphere, Wind, Lightning, Thunder, Electricity, Twilight, and the Aurora Borealis 19:03 Read by Kalynda
Corn, Barley, Pearl Barley, Oats, Rye, Potatoes, Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate 10:33 Read by Jonathan Horniblow
Calico, Cotton, Cloth, Wool, Baize, Linen, Flax, Hemp, Diaper, Holland, Canvas, and Flannel 14:10 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
Cocoa, Toddy, Cherries, Bark, Cork, Cochineal, Cloves, Cinnamon, and Cassia 12:25 Read by Jonathan Horniblow
Bombazine, Crape, Camlet, Cambric, Lace, Silk, Velvet, and Mohair 13:28 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
Currants, Raisins, Figs, Rice, Sugar, Sugar Candy, &c., Sago, Millet, Ginger, Nutmeg, Mace, Pimento or Allspice, Pepper, and Cayenne Pepper 14:11 Read by Jonathan Horniblow
Glass, Mirrors, Earthenware, Porcelain, Needles, Pins, Paper, Printing, Parchment, and Vellum 16:22 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
Capers, Almonds, Oranges, Lemons, Citrons, Limes, Olives, Oils, Melons, Tamarinds, and Dates 19:24 Read by Jonathan Horniblow
Hats, Stockings, Shoes, Gloves, Leather, Furs, and Ink 13:36 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
Asbestus, Salt, Coal, Iron, Copper, Brass, Zinc, and Lapis Calaminaris 19:33 Read by Cori Samuel
Yams, Mangoes, Bread-Fruit, Shea or Butter Tree, Cow Tree, Water Tree, Licorice, Manna, Opium, Tobacco, and Gum 22:40 Read by David Barnes
Spectacles, Mariner's Compass, Barometer, Thermometer, Watches, Clocks, Telescope, Microscope, Gunpowder, Steam Engine, and Electro-Magnetic Telegraph 27:06 Read by Ashwin Jain
Soap, Candles, Tallow Tree, Spermaceti, Wax, Mahogany, India Rubber or Caoutchouc, Sponge, Coral, Lime, Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Gas, Hydrogen, Chalk, and Marble 25:59 Read by Sibella Denton
Gold, Silver, Lead, Tin, Platina, Sulphur, Gems or Precious Stones—as Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds, Turquois, Pearls, Mother-of-Pearl, and Ivory 48:28 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Starch, Arrow-root, Tapioca, Isinglass, Caviare, the Vine, Wine, Gin, Rum, Brandy, Vinegar, Indigo, Gamboge, Logwood, Tar, Pitch, Camphor, Musk, Myrrh, Frankincense, and Turpentine 20:05 Read by Sibella Denton
Bricks, Mortar, Granite, Slate, Limestone, or Calcareous Rocks, Steel, Earths, Volcanoes, and Earthquakes 24:58 Read by Sibella Denton
Architecture, Sculpture, Use of Money, and Navigation 33:54 Read by Kalynda
Music, Painting, Poetry, Astronomy, Arts and Sciences, Art of Writing, and Chemistry 44:06 Read by Sibella Denton
Attraction, Tides, Gravity, Artesian Wells, Air, Aneroid Barometer, Ear-Trumpet, Stethoscope, Audiphone, Telephone, Phonograph, Microphone, Megaphone, Tasimeter, Bathometer, Anemometer, Chronometer 11:39 Read by rachelellen
Light, Lime Light, Magnesium Light, Electric Light, Rainbow, Prism, Spectrum, Colors, Photography, Camera Obscura, Stereoscope, Kaleidoscope 7:06 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
Electricity, Electric Currents, Electric Battery, Electrotyping, Stereotyping, Telegraph, Ocean Cable, Lightning Rod, The Gulf Stream, The Mt. Cenis Tunnel, The Suez Canal, Suspension Bridges, Eminent Americans 16:54 Read by Sibella Denton

Reviews

It didn't grip me


I'm sorry, but this book just didn't work for me. The interjection of footnotes, which are definitions, breaks the flow, and the explanations seem to bang on about God quite a bit. The read's good, but the material wasn't interesting enough, IMO.