Fun and fascinating Q&As on topics from astronomy to zoology: "A treasure." — Library JournalWe've all grown so used to living in a world filled with wonders that we sometimes forget to wonder about them: What creates the wind? Do fish sleep? Why do we blink? All too often, the explanations remain shrouded in mystery—or behind a haze of technical language. For kids of all ages—or those of us who should have raised our hands in science class but didn't—Larry...

The Nobel Prize winner offers "an ideal introduction to the theories of special and general relativity" in clear, comprehensible language ( Nature ).A renowned mathematician and philosopher , and as well as recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Bertrand Russell was acclaimed for his ability to address complex subjects in accessible ways. In this classic reference book, Russell delve...

Guide for Grammar, Voice, and Sentence Structure"If you're going to have one grammar book on your shelf, make it this one!" — Dani Alcorn, COO at Writing Academy and cofounder of Writer's Secret Sauce#1 New Release in Writing, Research & Publishing Guides, Composition and Language, Grammar Reference, Semantics, Vocabulary Books, Study & Teaching Reference, Reading Skills, and editingComma Sense by E...

This examination of six usurper kings of England, and the people and circumstances surrounding them, is "a masterpiece of academic scholarship" ( Midwest Book Review).In the Middle Ages, England had to contend with a string of usurpers who disrupted the British monarchy—and ultimately changed the course of European history by deposing England's reigning kings and seizing power for themselves. Some of the most infamous usurper kings to come out of medieval ...

Hundreds of weird and wonderful facts in this massive encyclopedia of food and drink oddities! A perfect gift for foodies and trivia fans alike!Food Weird-o-Pedia offers up hundreds of off-kilter bits of info about food that will make you rethink what you know about even those dishes you’ve been eating your whole life. Organized in sections such as “Between-Meal Tidbits: Curious Facts about Snacks” and “Spice Up Your Life: Unexpected morsels about condimen...

Now in one volume: the three-part autobiography from the National Book Award–winning author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.The former CBS foreign correspondent and historian provides an invaluable look back at his life—and the events that forged the twentieth century.The Start (1904-1930): In the first of a three-volume series, Shirer tells the story of his early life, growing up in Cedar Rapids, and later serving...

An enlightening journey into the languages, meanings, and history behind the names on England's map.The origins of the names of many English towns, hamlets, and villages date as far back as Saxon times, when kings like Alfred the Great established fortified borough towns to defend against the Danes. A number of settlements were established and named by French Normans following the Conquest. Many are even older and are derived from Roman place names. Some hark back ...

A comprehensive collection of fun facts about the origins of pretty much everything, from windows to washing machines to websites.This fact-packed collection recounts the origins, invention, and discovery of just about everything, from the big bang to driverless cars. With sections covering topics such as the arts, sports, weapons, buildings, medicine, food, and many more, you can find out intriguing answers to questions like:What material was the first c...

This sweeping history reveals how the use of chemicals has saved lives, destroyed species, and radically changed our planet: "Remarkable . . . highly recommended." — ChoiceIn The Chemical Age, ecologist Frank A. von Hippel explores humanity's long and uneasy coexistence with pests, and how the battles to exterminate them have shaped our modern world. He also tells the captivating story of the scientists who waged war on famine and disease with chem...

What would it be like if you were transported back to Thebes, 1360 BCE? This time-traveler's guide is a fascinating way to find out . . .Imagine you were transported back in time to Ancient Egypt and you had to start a new life there. What would you see? How would the people around you think and believe? How would you fit in? Where would you live? What would you eat? Where would you go to have your hair done, or get help if you got ill or were mugged in the street?

Get a buzz out of science with a collection of fun facts and explanations of the world around us from the author of How Can You Tell if a Spider Is Dead?What can you learn about your world in just a moment? Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue? Or whether dogs can read our facial expressions? Don Glass and experts in their fields answer these questions and many more. Written for readers of all ages with no background in science required, How the ...

How do cats land on their feet? A "lively, entertaining" look at how the question stumped brilliant minds for centuries—and what was learned along the way ( Ars Technica).The question of how falling cats land on their feet has long intrigued humans. In this playful and eye-opening history, physicist and cat parent Gregory Gbur explores how attempts to understand the cat-righting reflex have provided crucial insights into puzzles in mathematics, geophysics, ...