The American boys handy book
by Daniel Carter Beard · first published 1915
3mentions
2recommended by
3HN commenters
2016–2019first – last mentioned
67% recommend33% neutral
A nostalgic re-print of a practical manual for a boy's life around the turn of the 20th century. Sadly, many of the activities in this book are out of reach for the modern boy. The manual assumes the reader lives if not in utter wilderness, at least within walking distance of nature; which is no longer the case for most urban or even suburban boys. Also, a lot of the projects for building things assume the boy has access to items which are no longer commonly to be found; wooden barrel lids for one. The book is not for these reasons useless; several activities, such as knot-tying, are still p
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…bits) - random assortment of screws, nails, bolts & nuts, glue, wood pieces, dowels, string, wheels, whatever. encourage dumpster diving. Also, some inspiring literature, like: https://www.amazon.com/American-Boys-Handy-Book-Centennial/d... and/or https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Book-Boys-Conn-Iggulden/dp/... Oh, and it helps to have a partner in crime for encouragement, troubleshooting, etc. (siblings/friends/parents)…
on “Ask HN: What are the best STEM toys for kids?” ↗Side note, if you are interested in skills that "everybody knew 100 years ago", there are much better books to be had. "The American boys Handy book" comes to mind. Popular Mechanic published a bunch of books back then (pre 1920, don't be confused with some of the latter stuff which isn't as good). Of course those books assume that there are things…
on “How to Be Better at Parties” ↗…caught, I did feel very sorry and regretful, as most people do, and I think that's part of what makes hunting and fishing beneficial for people. As Daniel Beard wrote over a hundred years ago in "The American Boys' Handy Book" : "[the] author must confess that as a man or boy he never killed any animal without a feeling of remorse for what he had done, and it was only after long thought and study upon the subject that he…
on “Ike Jime, the Japanese Slaughter Method for Tastier Fish” ↗