This work is a collection of about thirty informational pieces, with occasional insights and inspirational messages included by the author, covering a vast range of subjects. Topics range from cannibalism and anesthetics to donkeys and myopia. The author uses his years of work as a DVM and his unceasing scientific curiosity to choose his topics. His enthusiasm finds its way into the work, and the subjects are well researched, varied, and interesting. The subjects can be a bit obscure to those not well-versed in scientific research and jargon, but Hoge does a nice job of explaining information and terms in everyday language. He also brings his unique perspective both as a scientist and a man of faith, often incorporating these in a manner meant to be both uplifting and motivating.

The main motivation for this book is clearly the author's own sense of wonder and discovery about the world, particularly in the realm of science and medicine. Hoge's work fits neatly into a genre of books that came into popularity a couple of decades ago. These include the Uncle John's Bathroom Reader series, which breaks down historical moments, literary works, or other subjects into short summaries. The topics can be varied, but they are all meant to take a big subject or an important piece of literature and break it down into a short, readable selection, which is perfect for people who only have a limited time to read.

Also, non-fiction books and essays have been popular among the scientific and general audiences for centuries. One author that comes to mind when reading Hoge's particular type of essay is Bill Bryson. Bryson has written on numerous topics, and his book, A Short History of Nearly Everything, feels related in the sense that both authors take on a variety of subjects in a researched and scientific manner. Simultaneously, both Hoge and Bryson seek to present their information in a manner that is easy to understand and find ways to relate their subjects to the lives of the common man. As an example, Hoge's chapter about donkeys is surprisingly current and engaging, and ties not only to how quickly animals can become endangered due to human consumption but also relates to the endless pursuit of our species to live longer and look ageless.

This is Hoge's fifth book in the series, and readers who have been enjoying his work to this point will continue to be entertained and educated. He handles the science and topic density well, mostly ensuring that the average reader will be able to comprehend the material. There are a few minor grammatical issues and repetition of information, but many readers will easily be able to overlook these or simply move on to a topic that better fits their interests. As mentioned earlier, the author approaches his topics with both a scientific and faith-based viewpoint, using biblical quotes and quotes from LDS teachings. For readers who have a curious mind and can handle the science involved, Hoge's book offers a varied selection of engaging content.

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