Why Do Onions Make Me Cry? is a science question and answer book. It is full of commonly asked questions with relatively brief but comprehensive answers. For example, why is the sky blue? I was glad to learn the answer, but don't ask me to try to explain it to you! I would need to reread that section a few more times before it will stick in my head!

I learned that insects don't have blood, per se. The equivalent substance that flows through them is called hemolymph. And sometimes insects' waste products are called frass. Hemolymph and frass. Those are both great words!

This book is actually a compilation of information from the author's two previous books, The Science of Why and The Science of Why 2. So, if you already have read those books, there will be nothing new here. But, if you would like a short read where you will learn a lot about science, with lots of cute illustrations, then read this book!

In Why Do Onions Make Me Cry?, I enjoyed the variety of questions tackled by the author. I was expecting the answers to be straightforward with a quick summary expanding it, but instead I was pleasantly surprised to see the author take time to share studies, theories, and information tidbits that developed the topic in such an in-depth and interesting way that even if the reader had already been familiar with the topic, the material had new thoughts and was engaging for them. The illustrations, “did you know’s,” and “try it’s” even further pulled me in as a reader.

But at the same time, I was sharply reminded how a view of science through a believer in evolution permeates so much of their thought process and rationalism. How depressing and limiting is the view that humans are just another animal! As I am a Christian and believer in a God-created universe, my enjoyment in the reading of this book written from such a perspective was greatly hampered.

I definitely had some “Huh! I never knew that” moments where I had to set down the book and wander off in search of someone to share my newly enlightened thoughts with. This book is a gold mine of such info nuggets, and for that, the nerdy part of me rejoiced.

(For prospective readers, a quick content warning about some guy humor and choice in topics that would make me place the book in a “for adult” category. )

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for promotional purposes from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Onions make us cry because cutting one up releases a specific chemical that needs (so says our body) be washed away with tears. There are some folk theories on how to avoid the tears, but nothing has been proved to work consistently and well. So there’s that, in fact it’s the shortest chapter in the book. But then there are all these other chapters arranged in 5 categories that answer so many more interesting questions in a more elaborate and user friendly way. Very user friendly, in fact, sometimes almost oversimplified, but mostly that was the case with the categories and things I already knew, so that’s a biased opinion. Anyway, I absolutely loved this book. This is exactly the right way for someone like me (interested in science, but not necessarily scientifically minded) to learn about it. There is such a wide range of questions, covering subjects from Sasquatches to pee odors and it’s all exceptionally well explained, accessible for most educational levels, and most of all…fun. You know, because learning ought to be fun. It even has entertaining asides such as science fact and science fiction, where Ingram compares popular knowledge (often sourced from literature and movies) to the facts. I wasn’t familiar with Ingram prior to reading this book, but looks like he’s made a career for himself doing just this, explaining the world the way the world should be explained. I’d definitely read more of his work. This book was a delight. And such a quick read. I went through it in one day, which arguably isn’t the best way of doing it, too much information crammed too rapidly into one brain. But then again, there is really no such thing as too much knowledge and for days afterwards I was able to randomly produce fascinating factoids for various conversation enhancements. So yeah, I absolutely loved this book. Popular science at its best. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

Jay Ingram makes learning fun in this one. A lot of ground gets covered and probably a lot of these questions are ones you have thought of. When he's tackling questions like how much pee is in a pool, it's simply enough. Other questions however get overly scientific. Then of course there are many examples where theories are given but then shot down by the author; which is frustrating. This would make a good gift for trivia fans.

4 <b> For crying out loud</b>

Protip: to ensure that onions do not make you cry try not to form an emotional bond with them works everytime!

This book is set up in parts : human body, human brain , animal kingdom, the natural world and weird science. Each part has multiple questions in it and it give a easy to understand yet fact based response to questions. My favorite part of the layout is the Did you know section under each question I think that was the most fun to read. Now the 3-4 page response to each question was also interesting to learn as well don’t get me wrong. The comics included are also adorable and funny.

So to answer our cover question why do onions make us cry? Did you know it’s a chemical reaction from the blade to compounds in onions? All the “old wives tales” to prevent tearing up are actually not foulproof! For example : I believed if I wore gloves I was better off and my spouse thought chopping onions underwater prevented the crying. ( which what a dude thing to do that’s crazy dangerous)
The only way to keep those tears at bay is to condition your body to it.. so go buy a few hundred pounds of onions and get your conditioning on.
The book is fun at parts it gets a bit dry and boring but I like that for those areas I could just swipe past them and move on. This would be a great bathroom reader. I personally laugh hysterically when my spouse disappears for a bit and spouts knowledge to me because in my mind I am like.. oh he pooped how nice.