A Walk: Stoplight Secrets, Mischievous Squirrels, Manhole Mysteries & Other Stuff You See Every Day (And Know Nothing About)

A Walk: Stoplight Secrets, Mischievous Squirrels, Manhole Mysteries & Other Stuff You See Every Day (And Know Nothing About)

by Carlsen, Spike

4.6 (539)

4.6 stars from 539 reviews. Top 95% of Nonfiction books we track.

336 pages~5.6 hr readPublished by HarperOne

$12.99Near peak price

Last checked: Apr 18, 2026

Price history: $1.99 $14.24

While not the biggest discount we've seen for this book, it's still a great deal and we recommend grabbing it before price returns to its normal range.

Price range: $1.99 $14.24

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Perfect for you if...

  • You're curious about how ordinary things actually work and enjoy learning unexpected backstories about the world around you.
  • You like popular science that feels conversational rather than textbook-heavy, with real human stories woven throughout.
  • You appreciate writers like Mary Roach or David Owen who find humour and wonder in overlooked corners of everyday life.

Maybe not for you if...

  • You prefer deep dives into a single subject rather than a curated collection of miscellaneous topics.
  • You're looking for a book with a narrative arc or character development, not a collection of standalone investigations.
  • You want practical how-to advice or self-improvement rather than pure curiosity-driven exploration.

About this book

A simple walk around the block inspired journalist Spike Carlsen to investigate the everyday objects and systems we encounter but rarely think about—from manhole covers and recycling bins to bike lanes and stoplights. This book explores the engineering, human stories, and natural wonders behind these ordinary things we take for granted. Carlsen guides readers through the workings of sewers, power plants, postal systems, and recycling centers, revealing the complexity hidden in plain sight. The book demonstrates that understanding these everyday systems transforms how we see our surroundings and the world around us.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

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Free$7.12$14.24Mar '24Oct '24Jul '25Apr '26
$1.99$14.24

Price has dropped 15 times over the last 2 years. Goes on sale roughly every 52 days. Typically stays discounted for 30 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

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#640#3,028,429#6,056,218Jul '20Aug '22Dec '23Apr '26

Currently #640 in the Kindle store — a top-1,000 bestseller. Climbing the charts — 60% improvement recently.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

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4.0★4.5★5.0★Sep '23Jun '26RatingReviews

Currently 4.6★ from 539 reviews

Review activity has been quiet recently. Rating has remained stable at 4.6 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

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Free$7.12$14.24Mar '24Oct '24Jul '25Apr '26PredictedApr '26

Actual Predicted

Based on past patterns, a price drop could happen soon. It typically goes on sale every 53 days and the last drop was 53 days ago. Typical discount: 86% off.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.

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Carlsen, Spike

1 book on Vagrant Press

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