I'm really not sure how handy it is, in this age of computers. The questions are so specific, I think you'd have trouble finding your exact question in this book. The internet has changed how we search for answers. I could imagine reading through this when I was in high school, or maybe college, if I was bored, just to pick up diverse facts.
Really great homeschool reference book. See book here
\http://www.amazon.com/Handy-Science-Answer-Book-Centennial/dp/0780807278/ref=sr_1_2/002-2971485-2751256?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193254988&sr=8-2
\http://www.amazon.com/Handy-Science-Answer-Book-Centennial/dp/0780807278/ref=sr_1_2/002-2971485-2751256?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193254988&sr=8-2