Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Mairi

In this book Benjamin Nugent, who describes himself as a former nerd, writes about the history of the nerd (going back two hundred years) and the type of people we would consider nerds today. He acknowledges that "nerd" can mean several things, but comes up with one all- encompassing definition: a nerd is someone who, for one reason or another, reminds other people of a machine rather than a person. It is easily one of the best definitions I have ever heard, and the book supports it with both anecdotes and statistics.

I only picked up this book because I had exhausted the fiction section of my school library, but I am glad I did. It was interesting and I learned a lot, which is all one can ask for in non- fiction. It is the kind of book that provides one with such interesting little tidbits of information that one is tempted to keep a running list as one reads.

I think everyone should read this book, but the people who would enjoy it most are those who are, well, a bit nerdy, like me.