Brain Fuel: 199 Mind-Expanding Inquiries into the Science of Everyday Life.

Alan Belk is a Ph.D. candidate in the Philosophy Department at the
University of Guelph.

As with Dr. Joe’s previous best-selling books, Brain Fuel informs and entertains on a wild assortment of science-based topics. But this is not “science trivia.” If you are looking for serious scientific discussions, you’ll find them here. If you are looking for practical consumer information, that’s here too. If you are searching for ways to stimulate interest in science, look no further, Mom. And if you are simply wondering why the birth of Prince Leopold was so different from Queen Victoria’s previous seven, or why an iron rod that went through a man’s head is now on display in a museum in Boston, or why white chocolate has such a short shelf life, or why eggs terrified Alfred Hitchcock—and what all of this means for the rest of us, and why—then bingo.

As a youth I bit and chewed my fingernails. Still do. Mom, to deter me, once bought some stuff from the pharmacy that would be painted on my nails (fortunately clear, so as not to call my masculinity into question?). The (Pavlovian) theory was that this stuff would taste so disgusting I would eschew for ever my unfortunate fingernail habit. I was likely being exposed to denatonium benzoate, “the most bitter substance known.” Ten parts per million is enough to make something undrinkable—such as industrial alcohol—so it is commonly used to make unpalatable attractive-smelling or sweet-tasting toxic substances, such as antifreeze.

I love Dr. Joe’s books. Each inquiry is short, appeals to my curiosity, doesn’t require a long attention span, and adds to my understanding of people and the world. He writes straightforwardly and with good humour, and makes science accessible. Each item is introduced by a question (sample: What was the first insecticide to be extracted from a plant?). The answer usually involves chemistry, nutrition, or medicine. And often, coincidence. But despite the episodic nature of the book there are two major underlying themes: science can inform and benefit us, but we have to stay on top of it (for example, your gas lawnmower emits more pollutants than 43 cars). The author advocates keeping this book on your nightstand. I say, in your bathroom.