The Handy Cyclopedia of Things Worth Knowing


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(3 stars; 5 reviews)

Written in 1910, this "cyclopedia" is full of information that was quite useful at the time. A hundred years later, its text is more humorous than practical -- although some advice never goes out of style. (Summary by Rachelellen)

Chapters

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Introduction and Index of Advertisers 9:04 Read by rachelellen
Etiquette: Courtship and Marriage 17:39 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
Customs of Mourning, Visiting Cards, and Dress. Anniversaries. 26:01 Read by swroot
Colors. Care of Teeth. The Perfect Figure. 13:47 Read by rachelellen
The Brain. Misnamed Things. Jesus' Death Sentence. A Lady's Chance of Marrying. 15:42 Read by Mike Roop
Shaving. Facts to Settle Arguments. 29:21 Read by Andrew Lebrun
The Single Tax. Hypnotism. Care of a Piano. Salt-Rising Bread. 13:23 Read by durnburr
Doing Business with a Bank. 15:34 Read by durnburr
Facts about States and Cities. 13:18 Read by Mike Roop
Theosophy. Evolution. Sparrows. Feminine Height and Build. When a Man Comes of Age. 10:36 Read by Caitlin Kelly
Dreams. 56:09 Read by Lisa Chau
Flowers. Writing. Eyes. Palmistry. 31:40 Read by Caitlin Kelly
Riddles. Last Words. Toasts. Precious Stones. 29:07 Read by SueAnn Dozier
Grammar. 25:10 Read by rachelellen
Accent and Pronunciation. Spelling. Punctuation. Use of Capitals. 20:34 Read by Robin Cotter
Names of God. Sponges. Don't be Buried Alive. How to Serve Wine. 9:41 Read by Cori Samuel
Steps to American Liberty 17:54 Read by rachelellen
The U.S. Constitution, Articles I and II 24:58 Read by rachelellen
The U.S. Constitution, Articles III - VII and Amendments 19:50 Read by rachelellen
Workingmen. Presidents. 13:30 Read by Julian Jamison
The Art of Not Forgetting. 26:41 Read by roolynninms
Memory Rhymes. Happiness Defined. The Depths of Space. Eulogy on the Dog. 10:37 Read by Lisa Chau
Health and Beauty. Infant Feeding and Management. 15:21 Read by Caitlin Kelly
Names of Months and Days. Tips for Housekeepers. Character in Faces. Modern Fables. Mileage Between Cities. 17:03 Read by rachelellen
Law and Legal Holidays. 20:35 Read by roolynninms
Chamois Skins. Meaning of Names. 23:13 Read by Rosalind Wills
American Cities. State Flowers. Height of Structures. Age of Trees. Dictionary of Aeronautics. College Colors. Osteopathy. 29:33 Read by Larysa Jaworski
Trademarks and Patents. Shakespeare's Counsel. Money. 16:34 Read by Caitlin Kelly
Facts of General Interest. Some of Nature's Wonders. Rules of the Road. Canary Birds. 18:28 Read by Lisa Chau
Recipes and Trade Secrets, Part 1. 19:20 Read by SueAnn Dozier
Recipes and Trade Secrets, Continued. 18:17 Read by SueAnn Dozier
Opportunity. Weights and Measures. Phrenology. Parliamentary Law. 35:53 Read by ML Cohen
Friendly Advice on Many Subjects. 24:40 Read by Claire Goget
Accidents and Emergencies. Poisons. Philosophical Facts. 23:57 Read by rachelellen
Advertisements, Part 1. 14:23 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
Advertisements, Part 2. 19:32 Read by Caitlin Kelly
Advertisements, Part 3. 12:16 Read by Jason Oakley
Advertisements, Part 4. 14:24 Read by roolynninms
Advertisements, Part 5. 13:32 Read by roolynninms
Advertisements, Part 6. 22:07 Read by Cori Samuel
Advertisements, Part 7. 20:36 Read by Robin Cotter
Advertisements, Part 8. 19:13 Read by Robin Cotter
Advertisements, Part 9. 16:22 Read by rachelellen

Reviews


(5 stars)

The readers are quite good, and while of course the information is a century out of date, it is a perfect listen for those nights when my brain is racing and I need something I can distract my brain with that is mildly interesting but not so interesting that I want to stay awake to listen to more. If you like the various Insomnia collections, this works just as well!

Boring and pointless


(1 star)

Nothing at all against the readers, they were all great. This just isn't very readable.