*4.5 stars*

Learning should always be this much fun…

This was a fun, and informative, read! Starting in prehistoric times, the author bounced around eras to fill a whole book of interesting, quirky topics, letting his humour and the facts speak for themselves. Accidental discoveries, natural wonders been and gone, dogs that we love to this day and much more. Subjects were vast, varied and served with funny stories and factoids that meant none of the retelling was dry or textbook-like. Coupled with drawings and illustrations, this was a treat start to finish.

Told in small bites, this was a great read for the train or the bus or to fill a rainy afternoon. Looking forward to more from this author.

The book goes through and provides an in-depth look at random facts such as the study of ancient feces. I also enjoy the fact that the text is broken up by pictures and text boxes containing additional information on the topics being discussed. It makes is easier for those who get overwhelmed by a lot of text.

This book is exactly what I was hoping for! I follow Milo on YouTube, and like so many others find his storytelling captivating. The Encyclopedia of the Weird and Wonderful is a perfect representation of his chaotic, tangent-filled, humorous and information packed videos in book form. It's a great coffee table book, but you could also do like me and read it all in one sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley, Milo Rossi and publishers for the opportunity to read an ARC of this wonderful book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

I’m giving Three stars just for writing a book. However, I tried but I just couldn’t finish this book. 😬.

This was fine, but I assume it wasn’t meant for adults? It was very juvenile. I also knew a lot of the things, so it was pretty heavily skimmed.

Only recently, I discovered Milo through his YouTube channel and enjoyed his humour. He’s an archaeologist very enthusiastic and passionate about his work, and his excitement and eagerness to share his knowledge and to teach is contagious. So when I had the opportunity to read his book, I couldn’t pass it.

Disclaimer: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book for free. All the thoughts and opinions here are my own.

I’m not used to buying this sort of book that is, in essence, a compilation of little facts. But to my surprise, these ones were not that little. The book is divided into ten chapters, spread over different stages of life. From birth to death. From food to love. Each chapter has various discoveries and fun facts about how our ancestors lived their lives. And these facts can go over thousands of years into the past or be from the last century.

Alongside the facts, sometimes there goes a little story to picture how it could have happened. Milo doesn’t do this very often since those stories are more speculative due to a lack of information. These stories are just a fun re-imagining of the stories that these lost items and marks left behind could tell. While we might never know why a pair of jeans was left inside a mine shaft, other facts and artefacts have been studied and concluded to have a specific purpose. Like baby bottles. I loved learning that millions of years ago, humans sculpted a vessel they could use to feed babies. The same way we do nowadays with baby bottles. It’s fascinating.

While reading, I could hear Milo speak those words out to me. His speech and his humour are still very much present in the pages the same way it’s in his videos. Although this can be a problem. Despite having a very accessible language that every layperson can understand, this speech-like writing can be confusing at times. And this is coming from me, someone who is familiarised with Milo’s way of talking. So, while I like to listen to Milo talk, reading it is a different story. Still, if I was imagining that he was reading the book out loud to me, it wasn’t a problem.

What I think needs the biggest improvement is the formatting of the pages. Every chapter is divided into different stories, topics, or artefacts that are explored. But in between, there are also notes referring to names, locations, civilisations and other things that might need more contextualisation than what appears in the main text. Although the placement of those notes didn’t line up with the text very well. Sometimes, the notes take a whole page, so the text on the previous page has already moved on to a different topic before you reach the note. This created a problem because I never knew when to read the notes between the text.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I learned new things, and it sparked my curiosity, which is the best you can ask for in any book. The text was extensive at times when the topic needed to be, but reading it in small chunks made it easier to follow. And more than a book filled with facts, The Encyclopedia of the Weird and Wonderful is a way to bring us closer to our ancestors. To see that we aren’t that different from them. We all had to feed babies, go to work, enjoy playing games, and take well-deserved naps.

I really enjoy learning about new things, especially weird and wonderful things so when I saw this book I knew I had to check it out. This book is full all kinds of facts about things I had never even heard of. I had never heard anything about this author but I will definitely be checking out his TikTok and YouTube pages for sure!

There’s no other way to describe this other than weird and wonderful. It’s a kooky collection for sure. Younger kids will definitely enjoy going through this book with a parent.

The Encyclopedia of the Weird and Wonderful is a fascinating, accessible, and well curated collection of facts gathered by Milo Rossi. Released 3rd Oct 2023 by Quarto on their Wellfleet Press imprint, it's 256 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is an all-ages encyclopedia (mostly aimed at middle grades and older) chock full of interesting tidbits about human expansion and prehistory, innovation, natural history, and development. The chapters are arranged thematically: prehistory, food & drink, animal domestication, play & leisure, rites & rituals, love & sexuality (age appropriate), fashion & beauty, education & work, sickness & health, funerary rites (death). Each chapter has numerous short articles of a few paragraphs explaining interesting facets of social groups, traditions, and societies.

It's colorfully illustrated throughout. There are no photographs, but line drawings enhance the text (see cover art). The author/publisher have also provided a fairly comprehensive bibliography and references as well as a cross-referenced index.

Four stars. This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, or gift giving.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Lots of wide-ranging and interesting topics. A great book to dip into to learn about different topics.

This book was so funny and interesting to read. There were hypothetical stories, short explanations, funny asides and under the radar humor. Some would find the vastness of it unappealing but it organized itself into a light rather than dense read.

#arc
#netgalley
#theencyclopediaoftheweirdandwonderful

A fab book with lots of interesting and historical facts. It was tailored more to human 'weird and wonderful', which is likely due to the author's background, but an enjoyable read nonetheless.
I did find the format jarring at times with archaeological findings and their meanings on the same page as fictitious stories from the perspectives of people from around the time of their use.
A lovely book to dip in and out of or a relatively easy read to devour in a few sittings.

Book Review: The Encyclopedia of the Weird and Wonderful by Milo Rossi

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Encyclopedia of the Weird and Wonderful is a captivating and informative book that offers a delightful journey through time, exploring intriguing facts from various historical periods. Written by TikTok educator and Youtuber Milo Rossi, this book is a treasure trove of funny and detailed anecdotes that shed light on the more curious aspects of our past.

From prehistory to ancient Egypt, the Industrial Revolution, and beyond, Rossi takes readers on an enthralling adventure filled with wit and levity. The book opens up a world of knowledge, sharing fascinating stories that will leave readers both entertained and educated.

One of the highlights of this book is Rossi’s ability to bring history to life with his signature humor and engaging writing style. The anecdotes he presents are not only informative but also entertaining, making it an enjoyable read for both history enthusiasts and casual readers alike. The author’s knack for storytelling ensures that each page is filled with captivating narratives that keep readers hooked from start to finish.

The Encyclopedia of the Weird and Wonderful covers a wide range of topics, including archaeology, ancient civilizations, and significant historical events. Have you ever wondered about the daily lives of mothers in the Mesolithic period amidst shifting climates and rising seas? Or what types of dogs roamed the forests of North America while their masters constructed monumental earthen works? This book provides answers to these questions and delves into many other intriguing mysteries from our past.

In addition to the engaging content, the visual appeal of this book is outstanding. The cover captures attention with its vibrant design, and the same quality extends throughout the book. The use of bright graphics, fun fonts, and an easy-to-read layout enhances the reading experience, making it visually pleasing and inviting.

Fans of Milo Rossi’s social media accounts will find this book a delightful extension of his online presence. His charismatic personality shines through in the writing, creating a connection between the author and the reader. Even those who are not familiar with Rossi’s work will be captivated by his storytelling skills and infectious enthusiasm for history.

In conclusion, The Encyclopedia of the Weird and Wonderful by Milo Rossi is an absolute gem for anyone interested in history, archaeology, or simply intrigued by the oddities of our past. It combines informative content with engaging storytelling, ensuring that readers are both entertained and educated. With its visually appealing design and humorous writing style, this book is a must-read for history enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Prepare to be enthralled as you embark on a journey through time like no other.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Truly a weird and wonderful read! I loved the layout and the facts. It’s the perfect coffee table book and I highly recommend it for the fun-loving weirdo in us all.

I received this book in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley.


I liked this book a lot. The writing is funny and informative. Sometimes the topics were not delved in as deeply as I would have like but in general that is an issue with these kinds of "encyclopedia" type books. Great for someone interested in weird and interesting facts!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

The book matches its name. It is full of unique information that is perfect for trivia addicts and projects that need a little uniqueness. I do however wish there were more pictures to go with the information. The illustrations did not do the items justice at times

I really want to love and enjoy these types of books, but the formatting of the ebook makes it hard to do so. I didn't get very far simply because the formatting made it difficult to follow a sentence vs a comment under a photo, or another instance of words smooshing together. What I could gleam from this book I found to be meh, just as not as interesting as I had initially hoped from the book's description. Sad, it sounded like a book for me, but it wasn't.

A delightfully quirky book full of interesting facts set out in an accessible and engaging way. Enjoyed by myself and my children (9 & 11 years)

I had never come across Milo Rossi before - he is apparently a big star on Tik Tok - so I came into this blind and perhaps that shaped my reaction. I found a lot of this book interesting but not exactly the 'weird and wonderful' that the title implied. There was a good range of entries, all divided into categories such as food, fashion, education and health, and most of it was well written and well illustrated. However I found the occasional story that was thrown in to be very distracting and unnecessary and I wasn't entirely sure of the target audience (I think perhaps it best suits younger readers and will make his massive following perfectly happy). An enjoyable read, though not all that weird! 3.5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in return for an honest review.

#TheEncyclopediaoftheWeirdandWonderful #NetGalley