About this item

The Dangerous Book for Boys took readers by storm and became an instant classic, selling nearly two million copies. Packed with charming illustrations, it is a treasure trove of the essential activities and skills that have defined generations of boyhoods, from building a treehouse to fishing to finding true north. Now, Conn Iggulden returns with more information, insights, and diversions for boys from eight to eighty. Designed with the same nostalgic look and feel as the first book, this companion volume includes more than seventy new chapters and important skills, fascinating historical information, and essential stories, including:How to pick a padlockMaking a Flying MachineTying a Windsor KnotAdvice from Fighting MenQuestions About the LawChess OpeningsMaking PerfumeMaps of Historic Empires: British, Ottoman, Genghis, Persian, Medes, Babylonian, AlexanderGreat SpeechesForgotten ExplorersHow to Wire a Plug and Make a lampWriting a Thank You LetterPolishing ShoesParents looking to get their kids off screens can use this book to fill weekend afternoons and summer days with wonder, excitement, adventure, and fun - learn to build go-carts and electromagnets, identify insects and spiders, and fly the world's best paper airplanes. This charming and practical guide, packed with hundreds of full-color charts, maps, diagrams, and illustrations, will ignite the imagination and stimulate curiosity, and provide grandfathers, fathers, sons, and brothers the opportunity to deepen their bonds. Conn Iggulden has at last put together a second wonderful collection that is the essence of boyhood.



About the Author

Conn Iggulden

I was born in the normal way in 1971, and vaguely remember half-pennies and sixpences. I have written for as long as I can remember: poetry, short stories and novels. It's what I always wanted to do and read English at London University with writing in mind. I taught English for seven years and was Head of English at St. Gregory's RC High School in London by the end of that period. I have enormous respect for those who still labour at the chalk-face. In truth, I can't find it in me to miss the grind of paperwork and initiatives. I do miss the camaraderie of the smokers' room, as well as the lessons where their faces lit up as they understood what I was wittering on about. My mother is Irish and from an early age she told me history as an exciting series of stories - with dates. My great-grandfather was a Seannachie, so I suppose story-telling is in the genes somewhere. My father flew in Bomber Command in WWII, then taught maths and science. Perhaps crucially, he also loved poetry and cracking good tales. Though it seems a dated idea now, I began teaching when boys were told only girls were good at English, despite the great names that must spring to mind after that statement. My father loved working with wood and equations, but he also recited 'Vitai Lampada' with a gleam in his eye and that matters, frankly. I've always loved historical fiction as a genre and cut my teeth on Hornblower and Tai-Pan, Flashman, Sharpe and Jack Aubrey. I still remember the sheer joy of reading my first Patrick O'Brian book and discovering there were nineteen more in the series. I love just about anything by David Gemmell, or Peter F. Hamilton or Wilbur Smith. I suppose the one thing that links all those is the love of a good tale.That's about it for the moment. If you'd like to get in touch with me leave a comment in the forum or you can tweet me @Conn_Iggulden. I'll leave it there for the moment. If you've read my books, you know an awful lot about the way I think already. There's no point overdoing it.Conn Iggulden



Read Next Recommendation

Report incorrect product information.