Want to have great fun perplexing your friends? First, tell them that ice isn't slippery, bright light helps you sleep, and it's easy to free yourself from quicksand. Then, as they're backing away and wondering if you've gone crazy, prove that everything you've said is absolutely true. And here's the best part: with all the bizarre facts, intriguing information, and amazingly clear explanations in Why Socks Disappear in the Wash, you'll never run out of material!

In just a few moments, you can discover why you have muscles in your ears (no, not so you can wiggle them), how to sort mixed nuts before you open the can, how to heat your kitchen with your refrigerator, and what soap does to water. If you've ever wondered how aspirin works, why a rubber band snaps back, or whether one rotten apple really can spoil the whole barrel, this book is for you.

Originally published in two separate volumes, the short and entertaining essays in Why Socks Disappear in the Wash will satisfy your curiosity about science in everyday life in language you don't have to be a scientist to understand. And if you're still wondering why socks disappear in the wash, here's a hint: beware of the "hozone" layer.