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Just OK

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2020

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I read a recent positive review in the NYT and was expecting much more. The writing isn't terribly compelling and most of the "hidden" designs are not really hidden. I suppose if you know very little about the world around you, or perhaps you've never lived in a city, some things would be new to you, but, for example, it's not a great insight to point out that there are safety boxes used by firemen at most building entrances, or that cell phone towers are sometimes disguised as trees, or that some older brick buildings have been retrofitted with anchor plates to reinforce the walls. I would have liked a few pictures rather than the not very inspired drawings as well. Really not sure where all these five star reviews are coming from.

Great Podcast; Disappointing Book

Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2020

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I love the 99% Invisible podcast so I was really looking forward to this book which I pre-ordered months ago. Alas, it was a disappointment.

A number of the essays are based on 99% Invisible podcasts, but they have been shortened and many of the most interesting “bits” removed. Much of the new material is only a shadow of what it was or could be in the podcast format.

My major disappointment is that the book did not take advantage of the book-length format to propose or discuss urban design principles. I was hoping for a book where such principles could be discussed and illustrated with examples like those in the podcasts. Each little essay is of some interest, but the total is less than the parts.

The organization of the book is rather mystifying as well. As just one example, “Grassroots Gardening” is in the “Catalysts” section instead of where you might expect to find it in the “Landscapes” section. There are many other essays that seem to be placed haphazardly, a reflection of the lack of an underlying structure to the book.

The book has many illustrations which, I’m sorry to say, are also disappointing. I think photographs would have provided clearer examples of the features being discussed.

Audrey G.

Beautiful Illustrations, Fantastic Stories

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2020

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I’m a huge fan of the 99% Invisible podcast and got my dad into it a few years ago. I pre-ordered two books that both came today. They have beautiful illustrations and both came in perfect condition. I’m so excited to surprise my dad with this book at Christmas. I think this would make the perfect present for any person interested in learning more about the seemingly mundane world around them.

Luis Ponton

Very great buy!

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2020

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I already REALLY LOVE this book! I found the podcast on Spotify only about 2 weeks ago and fell in love with the content and the way it is presented in a story-like way. When I heard they were releasing a book in the ad breaks, I IMMEDIATELY came to Amazon and pre-order. I've decided to read straight through it and I am already on page 55. It's a very good read and accessible for even younger audiences in terms of word complexity. I have read in other comments that some are not impressed by the illustrations, but I think they are much like the text where they give a taste of the content and leave you wanting to research yourself. Anyways, PLEASE GET THIS BOOK! It would be a great gift for birthdays, white elephants this holiday, or even just a treat to read during this pandemic. :)

Chris

Appreciating the hidden things

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2020

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In a time where many of us get caught up in churning and re-churning content-less political discussions, it is good to have this work to remind us to stop and just appreciate the little things. The things that are real and surround us every day. The book is very much written in the conversational style that we are used to from Roman Mars. I could see people who don't care for it but I admire the carefully chosen words and composition of sentences that form many little enlightening stories.

Why get it? (1) it's the perfect coffee table book. (2) I'll be ordering several for the holidays. It's the perfect present.

Tyson Schroeder

Fantastically designed book about fantastic and tragic design.

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2020

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Roman Mars' podcast "99% Invisible" has been a favorite of mine since I discovered it somewhere near 2014. As a graphic designer by trade, their insights into the design of everything from the mundane to the magnificent, from the dollar bill to the American Flag, all find little uses in my career as a designer.

This book, beautifully written, illustrated, designed, and bound, is a wonderful experience to hold, read, and remember. Delightful little jaunts into the history of the design of so many things you see everyday, remind me of Bill Bryson tales of travel, my favorite parts always his forays into the history of something he is passing by.

Great work Roman and Kurt! Can't wait for the next one you Beautiful Nerds!

George Carstensen

Brilliantly obscure

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2020

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In the same way that sausage is made, this book will change you... but maybe for the better. An appreciation for the unseen lies between these pages and the integral operations of a seemingly infinite city is remarkably distilled to formerly diminutive paint traces on pavement. It's like learning a new language that gives one an appreciation for the otherwise invisible substructure of everyday life. IMHO: pure joy.

Tip: either get new friends, or hesitate before boring you current ones with the gleaned observations of this book that you'll be aching to dispense.

Roland Denzel

Beautiful and entertaining read

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2020

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I love the little histories of everyday items and places, so this book is a fun read. It's a lovely book with lots of drawings, doodles, and illustrations, but the descriptions and prose are the highlights.

I bought a second copy for my parents' Christmas present, so I hope they don't read this. 😉

Top reviews from other countries

Robby Green

There are NO pictures, just some vague illustrations.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2020

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Good book, the content is interesting and informative. The illustrations are just ok. I feel as if I really want to see the things being described, the way I do when I listen to the podcast and the illustrations are just vague sketches with no real detail. I believe the book has missed the opportunity to give listeners what they would ultimately like, a photograph of what is being described. I would have loved to have a book with less words and more pictures, diagrams and arrows with captions.

Rhys

Terrible Ebook, OK Book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2020

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As a 99pi listener, many of the topics have been covered before, so this was a little bit repetative, however unlike the podcast where the tiniest of details are laboured over, the book rushed over things quickly, leaving you wanting more. Most "items" are a page long, leaving you with more questions than anything. There are more informative sections which are longer, and are by far the best parts of the book, but there aren't enough of them.
In addition, the "images" in the book are more like hand drawn illistrations that don't really help with information or added effect. They could have been left out.

Over all, its an OK book, and worth a read, but if you're really interested in this stuff, listen to the podcast instead.

Finally, I first purchased the ebook, which was formatted in a TERRIBLE way. It was simply unreadable thanks to forced fonts, a light grey background on everything and then slightly darker, but still pretty light grey font color. I then went out to buy the actual book. If you intend to get this; don't get the ebook.

Retro Scendence

Kindle version difficult to read, or maybe user error?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2020

Verified Purchase

The text in the Kindle version is light grey making it hard to read. I have checked the settings on my device and compared to other books and it only seems to be an issue with this book. You can see the 'book progress' text in the picture is the normal blackness in contrast to the lighter body text.

I will be happy to amend or remove this review if it's a case of user error.

I'm a big fan of the podcast and I'm sure the book will be fantastic once I am able to read it.

Yet Another Alias

A beautiful book, from the king of the beautiful nerds. Buy it. NOW.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2020

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If you're listened to the 99% Invisible podcast, then you already know what you're getting. If you haven't, then you really, really ought to.

Physically, the book is absolutely gorgeous to look at and to hold. Roman has, of course, a keen eye for design - and it shows in every aspect. The paper, the layout, the illustrations... everything. It's truly exquisite work.

The content is fascinating. So many things that are "that way for a reason" that you probably never thought - or even noticed. (Unless, of course, you're a 99pi listener - we DO think about these things)

Buy it. Buy it now. And buy copies for everyone you love.

And remember.... #AlwaysReadThePlaque

(Footnote: my photos show the book along with the challenge coin that was available to those that pre-ordered)

G. Crook

Prepare to have your eyes opened to the wonder that surrounds us all.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2020

Verified Purchase

I’d normally sing a books praises, once I’d reached the end. There’s no need with The 99% Invisible City, it’s clear right from the start that it’s a bit special.

I’m barely 20 pages in before falling in love. The gorgeous illustrations, the perfectly crafted stories of hidden details all around us. Even the size and weight of it had a reassuring presence.

If you know and love the 99% Invisible Podcast this is a must and if you don’t, this is a wonderful introduction.

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