How Hemlines Predict the Economy: Explanations, Rationalizations, and Theories on Everything

Though the title might suggest an economics primer, this goofy, almost quaint compilation examines a long list of ""theories, conundrums, observations, quotations, and whatnots,"" of which the title is just one. In themed chapters (Sports, Relationships, Traffic, Finance, etc.), Fitzsimons fills in the missing history and logic behind familiar locutions like ""women will always notice that the bedroom ceiling needs painting before their husbands do,"" ""half the money in your wallet disappears every three days,"" and the ""standard wisdom among taxi drivers"" that people wearing hats drive slower. Ideal for browsing, many entries in this volume are good for a quick chuckle, akin to a stand-up comedian's ""didja ever notice"" schtick. Unfortunately, FitzSimons doesn't go very deep into any of his subjects, leaving curious readers amused but dissatisfied.