Susan Stead reviews RAPID FIRE, by John Maytham, published by Tafelberg, R250
This book is a wonderful compilation of the general knowledge questions listeners pose to announcer John Maytham in the Rapid Fire insert on his 567 CapeTalk radio station afternoon show.
And what a range of questions, on topics from history to science to etymology to sport to geography to the downright weird (like: how fat do you have to be in order to be bulletproof?)!
It really is what the subtitle proclaims, “Remarkable miscellany”.
The reader can only admire Maytham’s tenacity in pursuing answers to the questions, as some took quite some pursuing.
Part of the huge enjoyment of reading the book is finding out new facts, but the main enjoyment is the erudite writing as it is written in a chatty style that engages and entertains. More of the same please!