PANATI'S PARADE OF FADS, FOLLIES, AND MANIAS

by Charles Panati

Author of the wildly successful Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things, Charles Panati is back and at his finest, describing hundreds of frivolous fads, foolish follies, and humorous hits of the last 100 years. 125 woodcuts.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, History, Trivia

491 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1991

About the author

Charles Panati is a former college professor, industrial physicist, author, and science editor of Newsweek.

Reviews

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read about old news events, hit records, and television programs mention of them brought back memories. November, 1980, I was working a late afternoon shift and would not be home to watch that night’s television. My co-workers and I took bets on who shot J.R. on “Dallas.”
A few days later, I spilled hot tea on my foot and ended up with severe burns. I was off work for a month. in early December with my foot still bandaged, I was in my bedroom writing something. The television was on in the living room. My dad was watching “Monday Night Football.” The news came on that John Lennon had been shot.
I remember who I was dating when the “Last Farewell” was popular. This book brought back those kinds of memories.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating survey of a century of fads. A bit cumbersome in his descriptions sometimes, and the book is heavy (so stock up on ibuprofen for your sore hands after holding it), but cool to read about why things become popular. Also a good way of learning history through pop culture.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mini-history of American pop culture