The Book of Massively Epic Engineering Disasters: 33 Thrilling Experiments Based on History’s Greatest Blunders

In this amusing addition to the Irresponsible Science series, Connolly plucks 20 engineering debacles from history, pairing them with experiments that use scientific principles to explain why the disasters occurred. An experiment with a soda can and balloon demonstrates the power of static electricity (a likely cause of the Hindenburg explosion), while the engineering flaws that led to the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge are revealed using a swing, jump rope, and plastic bottles. There’s some fun had at the expense of a few of these engineering fails, illustrated throughout in exaggerated b&w cartoons, but Connolly doesn’t dwell on the loss of life and limb, instead emphasizing how past mistakes can serve as a blueprint for avoiding future ones. Ages 9–14. (Sept.)