Reading For Laughs and Wondering "What If----"

Zany Afternoons
by Bruce McCall

Up first, is a somewhat hard to find but well worth the effort kind of book. Written by Bruce McCall and illustrated in a largely art-deco poster style with traces of the old Popular Science magazines of the 30's/40's and 50's, Zany Afternoons portrays how the Idle Rich would fight off boredom, with activities ranging from Wing Dining (seen on the front cover) and Autogyro Jousting to things like a Zeppelin Shoot (a lot like the English Grouse Hunts of yore but with WAY bigger targets), Blindfold The Flying Boat Pilot, Indoor Golf and taking a leisure cruise on the HMS Tyrannic (a boat so large it needs no insurance). You just have to read this book to get the full picture as words just fail to describe it. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want ot shoot at passing Zeppelin's!

The World Without Us
by
Alan Weisman

Imagine if you will, that suddenly, ALL humans disappeared from the Earth altogether. What would the Earth be like and how would it change? Using a good amount of scientific research coupled with a forward look, Alan Weisman attempts to construct scenarios of how different parts of the world might rejuvenate or change into far more horrific environments. Among some of his examinations include New York City (where buildings would crumble, trees and vegetation would reassert themselves and birds of prey would be nesting in what remains of the skyscrapers for instance). a Texas oilfield, deserts, the Demilitarized Zone in Korea among others. Another assertion goes along the lines that even if 25-50,000 years passed, there would STILL be traces of human occupation in the form of plastics, bronze and ceramics. This makes for some very thought provoking reading.