Author(s): Peter Macinnis

NZ non-fiction

"The Speed of Nearly Everything" is a fascinating almanac of facts, statistics and stories about the speed of virtually everything. Speed records; comparative speeds; relative speeds; optimal speeds; fastest speeds; slowest speeds; human, animal, mechanical and natural speeds are gathered together in an easy-to-follow, original design, and explained in engaging text written by a leading science writer. The statistical element is supported by fascinating discussions, historical anecdotes and speed trivia both serious and silly. The chapters cover subjects such as how fast animals move; sporting speeds; speeds occuring inside the body; the speed of fluids; speed and the weather; drops and falls; light, sound and other waves; communication speeds; military speeds; and how fast machines travel. First published 2008.