David Macaulay's The Way Things Work:
A Unique Mammoth Guide To A Magical World Of Machines

Published by Dorling Kindersley Multimedia, The Way Things Work explains and illustrates the operation of machines and the principles of science. Recommended. $99.95. ISBN 1-56458-901-3. Windows/Mac.

• Content
• Use of Multimedia
• Recommended Audience
• System Requirements
• Other Reviews

The Way Things Work is the CD-ROM version of David Macaulay's book of the same title. The CD-ROM is divided into four main sections: "The A-Z of Machines", "Principles of Science", "History", and "Inventors". These are always accessible by clicking on the menu.

The A-Z of Machines is exactly that; users can access an explanation of a certain machine with a labeled diagram by clicking on it in the alphabetical pictorial index. Within each individual screen, users can click on the red words to receive further explanation of a concept or get a glossary definition. When one clicks on the woolly mammoth, action occurs in the form of sound or movement. For many machines users can click on a play button and get a narrated explanation of how the machine or part works. In Principles of Science users may choose a principle from a table of contents that looks somewhat like a map. Each screen in this section has an icon for a "Mammoth Movie", which is a humorous animated short illustrating the principle. The History section is a pictorial time line of machines extending from 7000 BC to 1984 and giving the year of invention and name of the inventor. An alphabetical directory of the various inventors comprises the Inventors section. Each brief inventor entry tells about the inventor and his invention. For some inventors, a picture is given.

Other features include: an index, which allows the user to type in a word to be searched or to scroll through a listing; the options feature, which contains print and copy options as well as an index of the "Mammoth Movies"; and an extensive help screen. [Top of Page]

The Way Things Work contains a system of links to related concepts and principles. For example, when viewing the diagram for an eggbeater one can choose "Inventors" from the menu and read about its inventor or click on "History" and see where it falls on the time line.

The creators make good use of the media by illustrating principles of science and the operations of machines through movement and sound and by providing conceptual links; though more narration would have enhanced the presentation. [Top of Page]

It is recommended for children in grades 4-8 because though the interface is facile, a child needs to be mature enough to grasp the complex concepts, be able to read the text, and sit through periods of inactivity. [Top of Page]

IBM or compatible PC with 386 SX or higher microprocessor, 4 MB of RAM, SVGA 256-color display, CD-ROM drive, sound card, loudspeaker/headphones, mouse. Software: Microsoft Windows version 3.1 or later. Reviewer used Magnavox clone with 24 MB of RAM. The installation was very easy. [Top of Page]

CD-ROM World. January, 1995. Page 49:

    Ranked number 13 in CD-ROM World's top 20 Science CDs.

School Library Journal. January, 1995. Page 52:

     "The program is an engaging one with an appealing layout
      designed for quick and easy use." 

     "The children's book of the year has no pages..." 

     "Tinkerer's paradise... appealing to both children and 
      adults."

     "CD-ROMs are very often undone by the clumsiness with 
      which information is cross-linked, but navigating on
      this disk is uninterrupted pleasure."