The world’s first ‘punk undertaker’ shares his unconventional perspective on grief, death, end-of-life, and the funeral business in this sharp and deeply moving memoir-manifesto.“Extraordinary . . . You’ll be changed. An instant classic.” —Rob Hopkins, author of From What Is to What If“Lovely and thoughtful and may make you rethink a few things.” —The GuardianWhen he became an undertaker, Rupert Cal...

AN IRREVERENT GUIDE TO THE GOOD LIFELearn Philosophy. Sound Smart. Live Well.Are you searching for meaning in a world that feels hollow? You're not alone. As modern life casts off the traditional anchors of the past, many of us are left adrift. Take an introductory tour through the wisdom of the ages to rediscover what has been lost. Explore transformative ideas from eight of humanity's greatest philosophies—from Buddhist calm to Ex...

A kaleidoscopic exploration that traverses history, literature, art, and science to reveal humans' unique and vibrant relationship with color.We have an extraordinary connection to color—we give it meanings, associations, and properties that last millennia and span cultures, continents, and languages. In The World According to Color, James Fox takes seven elemental colors—black, red, yellow, blue, white, purple, and green—and uncovers behind each a root ide...

In this riveting account of an area of Appalachia known as the Quiet Zone where cell phones and WiFi are banned, journalist Stephen Kurczy explores the pervasive role of technology in our lives and the innate human need for quiet."Captures the complex beauty of a disconnected way of life." — The NationWith a new afterword to the paperback editionDeep in the Appalachian Mountains lies the last truly...

A funny, fascinating, beautifully illustrated, and timely history of countries that, for myriad and often ludicrous reasons, no longer exist—"Perfect for fans of Atlas Obscura " ( Publishers Weekly )."Defoe writes in revv-edup prose a bit like Hunter S. Thompson's, but more jokey and with an English accent. . . . I enjoy it immensely." —Michael Dirda,

"No doubt if everyone were to read" this personal and social history of mental illness in America "the world would change" ( New York Times Book Review ).From the centuries of torture of "lunatiks" at Bedlam Asylum to the infamous eugenics era to the follies of the anti-psychiatry movement to the current landscape in which too many families struggle alone to manage afflicted loved ones, Pulitzer Prize–winning and New Y...

"Every teacher, every student of history, every citizen should read this book. It is both a refreshing antidote to what has passed for history in our educational system and a one-volume education in itself."—Howard ZinnA new edition of the national bestseller and American Book Award winner, with a new preface by the authorSince its first publication in 1995, Lies My Teacher Told Me has become one of the most important—and su...

Discover hundreds of intriguing, entertaining & often hilarious origins to the English language's most curious phrases in this trivia book from a bestselling author.English is filled with interesting phrases. This book reveals the surprising, captivating and even hilarious origins behind 400 of them, including:• Read between the Lines• Cat Got Your Tongue?• Put a Sock in It• Close, but No Cigar• Bring Home the Bacon• Caught Red-Handed• Under the Wea...

What if the most important forces in history aren't the generals, the ideologues, or the statesmen — but the narrow passages of water they're all fighting over?In 3 Straits & a Ditch, Norm Coady traces four strategic passages — the Turkish Straits, Gibraltar, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Hormuz — and argues that the terrain calls the shots. Always has. The greatest military in the history of the world got beaten in Afghanistan by soldiers on mules with homemad...

Meet the Gods of Sun and SacrificeStep into the dazzling world of ancient Mesoamerica with this engaging and accessible guide to Aztec mythology.#1 New Release in History of New Age & MythologyExplore the legends, gods, and cosmic cycles that defined one of the most powerful civilizations in the Americas. Far from a dry academic text, Myths, Gods, and Rituals of Aztec Mythology brings these...

2025 Readers' Favorite Book Awards Gold Medal-winner2025 American Book Fest Best Book Award FinalistA breakneck adventure of war, romance, and politics in the golden age of piracy.Captain William Kidd stands as one of the most notorious "pirate" outlaws ever, but his legend is tainted by a bed of lies. Having captivated imaginations for more than three hundred years and inspired many stories about pirates, troubling...

*New enhanced edition of the best-selling guide to sea creatures: The World Beneath!*Meet the world's most fascinating sea creatures, see the lives and curiosities of colorful fish and coral reefs. This spectacular volume has more than 300 color photos and extraordinary text from a leading marine biologist and underwater photographer who is the international expert on seahorses.In this richly informative volume, brimming with new d...