Why does the size of a space shuttle's fuel tanks have more to do with a horse's rump than rocket science? Is there a correlation between the humble pint and the capacity of the human bladder? And why is an old Wellington boot as important an instrument of spacial awareness as was ever invented? About the Size of It is a hugely entertaining history of traditional weights and measures that will make you look at your everyday world in a completely different way . . .

'A full and convincing account of why our well-tried and trusted traditional measures make human sense' Alexander McCall Smith

'His direct, engaging conversational prose is a delight to read... inspirational' Andrew Roberts

'Absolutely masterly. Lucid and wise and touching and absolutely right' Jilly Cooper