Steven Caney's Invention Book
by Steven Caney

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Book Reviews of Steven Caney's Invention Book

Book Review: For years and years of fun -- for a wide range of ages
Summary: 5 Stars

The first half of the book contains advice on how to develop, patent, and market inventions, along with a couple of cool projects to try. That may sound geeky, but trust me -- it's well-written in an unpatronizing, yet clear, style. Even if you do not really want to invent something, Caney offers a museum-like look into the process of invention. This includes many informational boxes, containing everything from the history of the robot to basic marketing tips.

The second half of the book consists of "35 Great American Invention Stories," covering such inventions as basketball, earmuffs, Life Savers, and the Xerox machine. Each story is easy to follow and written in the same clear, unpatronizing style of the first half of the book. Caney also includes "Fantasy Inventor's Notebook" and "Fantasy Inventions" with each story, for inspiration. Some are humorous, some sci-fi-ish, some serious.

As I have written, the book's contents are divided in fairly small chapters and information boxes, and there are hundreds of photographs and illustrations. The effect is rather like that of a museum: the reader can pick and choose which parts to look over, which to skim over, which to examine in depth...

If you know of any child or young adolescent who might even remotely enjoy this stuff, the Invention Book will make a perfect gift.

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