Crash Test Girl

An Unlikely Experiment in Using the Scientific Method to Answer Life’s Toughest Questions

By: Kari Byron

Narrated by: Kari Byron

Kari Byron—former host of the wildly popular, iconic cult classic MythBusters—shows how to crash test your way through life, no lab coat required.

Kari Byron’s story hasn’t been a straight line. She started out as a broke artist living in San Francisco, writing poems on a crowded bus on the way to one of her three jobs. Many curve balls, unexpected twists, and yes, literal and figurative explosions later, and she’s one of the world’s most respected women in science entertainment, blowing stuff up on national television and getting paid for it! In Crash Test Girl, Kari reveals her fascinating life story on the set of MythBusters and beyond. With her signature gusto and roll-up-your-sleeves enthusiasm, she invites listeners behind the duct tape and the dynamite, to the unlikely friendships and low-budget sets that turned a crazy idea into a famously inventive show with a rabid fanbase.

The truth is, Mythbusters was never meant to be a science show. But attaching a rocket to a car, riding a motorcycle on water, or lighting 500 pounds of coffee creamer on fire requires a decent understanding of chemistry, physics, and engineering. Thus, the cast and crew brought in the scientific method to work through each problem: Question. Hypothesize. Analyze. Experiment. Conclude. And as Kari came to learn in her own life, not only is the scientific method the best approach for busting myths, it’s also the perfect tool for solving everyday issues, including:

Career · Love · Creativity · Setbacks · Money · Sexuality · Depression · Bravery

Crash Test Girl reminds us that science is for everyone, as long as you’re willing to strap in, put on your safety goggles, hit a few walls, and learn from the results. Using a combination of methodical experimentation and unconventional creativity, you’ll come to the most important conclusion of all: In life, sometimes you crash and burn, but you can always crash and learn.

Myth - “you should listen to this book”. Result? Confirmed

A great listen to a warts / explosives and all look into the interesting and not conventional life of Kari Byron who we all love from Mythbuster days. Well written in a very relatable way - with lots of tips from her journey so far. Enjoy and thanks Kari for taking the time to write this.

Very enjoyable

I enjoyed hearing Kari's backstory/behind the scenes story. Having just started the Adam Savage audio book, perhaps my favorite part of Kari's book was that she read it with such energy and enthusiasm. She read it the way she comes across on screen...vibrant and energized (the opposite of the Savage narration, but that's for a different review). I felt like I was sitting across from her at a restaurant listening to her tell her story.

Life lessons for crashtesters

A very personal account of growing up in the Bay Area and finding your way unexpectedly, to one of the best jobs on the planet. A great firsthand story and worth reading.

Endearing

I always liked Kari. This book taught me even more about her and and her mindset. Great listen.

I loved it!

A worth it book that came around at the right time and put into perspective alot of things.