The New York Times Reader: Science and Technology. S. Holly Stocking and the Writers of The New York Times. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2011. 258 pp.

As a veteran of home ownership and the frequent repair of vehicles, buildings, toys, and appliances, I have a sizable collection of tools in my garage. I have organized those tools, some of which I know how to use, into separate toolboxes according to the job they would be used for. There are boxes for plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and general, so when the inevitable household disaster strikes, the appropriate box can be quickly located and delivered to the scene. Knowledge of which tools to keep in each box, as well as how to use them, came from a wide variety of experiences with my father, my father-in-law (who knows everything—just ask him), and my own trials and frequent failures.  [Read more...]