Schott's Original Miscellany

    From obscure history to classic wordplay to dumb crooks to inspiring quotations, you never know what you’re going to read next! Since 1987, the Bathroom Readers’ Institute has led the movement to stand up for those who sit down and read in the bathroom (and everywhere else for that matter). With more than 11 million books in print, the Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader series is the longest-running, most popular series of its kind in the world.Where else could you learn how the banana peel changed history, how to predict the future by rolling the dice, how the Jivaro tribes shrunk heads, and the science behind love at first sight? Uncle John rules the world of information and humor, so get ready to be thoroughly entertained. Read all about…Homer the Greek versus Homer the SimpsonThe history of the bicycleWhen humans become hailstonesAlternate definitions for common wordsHelen Keller’s wisdomThe Silly Putty sagaAnd much more!

    This hardcover edition in the Uncle John's Bathroom Reader series will bowl readers over. This biggest ever volume has combined two previous Bathroom Readers in their entirety, Uncle John's Great Big Bathroom Reader and Uncle John's Ultimate Bathroom Reader. It has more entertainment, humor, trivia, science, history, and pop culture than ever before. Among lots of other topics, readers will learn about why the White House is white; strange medical conditions; the history of the bra; the origin of the Miss America pageant; weird tales of the Ouija board; the hair museum; why Thanksgiving is in November; why popcorn pops; and the origin of Pop-Tarts "RM" . It's all there in Uncle John's Biggest Ever Bathroom Reader.

    Here are 13 reasons to read this book:Triskaidekaphobia, the fear of ten plus threeMilitary surplus: The story of carrot cakeThe real-life inspiration behind DraculaGoing Ape: The history of TarzanPeople who married themselvesPolitically incorrect toothpasteLegendary business blundersHollywood’s biggest bombsWide world of weird sportsDog food for thoughtThe birth of the CDDumb criminalsZappa’s LawAnd much, much more!

    A few standouts from these 460 pages:The first computer programmersWeird medical conditionsBrits Vs. Americans: a word quizStrange tourist attractionsThe origin of the White HouseThe world’s second-dumbest outlawThe Tonight Show storyThe forgotten hero of flagpole sitting Why popcorn popsAnd much, much more!

    Uncle John's Bathroom Reader for Kids Only is a never-ending supply of factoids and statistics.

    Uncle John and his loony lab partners will take you back to the Big Bang and forward to the distant future. You’ll see the science in everything around (and inside) you, and learn the truth about the most egregious science myths (such as—you can’t “sweat like a pig” because pigs don’t sweat). How many amazing facts await your visual cortex in these 494 pages made up of atoms (print version) or bits and bytes (e-book)? As Carl Sagan would have said, “Billions and Billions!” So put on your thinking cap and check out…Pluto deniedKitchen chemistryFootball gets physics-alPlanet Earth’s sudden hot flashesFood’s incredible journey…through youThe science of surfing, skating, and snowboardingHow they plugged the hole in the ozone layerHow “defenseless” animals stay aliveSci-fi that’s more fi than sciAncient astronomersKnow your cloudsAnd much, much more!

    From stupefying stunts to wacky world’s records, all of Ripley’s riveting findings are here, in an easy-to-browse, impossible-to-put-down color volume. Where else could you learn that: • It’s estimated that 10,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000 snowflakes have fallen to the Earth since the Earth was formed! • Queen Isabeau of Bavaria used a mixture of boar’s brains, crocodile glands, and wolf blood as skin lotion! • Anna Bread married John Butter in Leeds, England, April 22, 1926! • Phil Turco of Madison, Wisconsin, swallowed 339 goldfish in two hours! Bizarre and amazing categories include Accidents and Disasters, Animals and Insects, Archaeology, Feats and Stunts, Prophecies, Records, the Unexplained, and more. It’s fascinating fun for the whole family.

    * How an ATM verifies your identification and account information and dispenses cash in a matter of seconds? * What, if anything, is able to escape from a black hole? * Why workplace surveillance is becoming more common? * Whether human cloning is possible? In this full-color follow-up to the bestselling How Stuff Works, Marshall Brain travels inside your computer, to the depths of diamond mines, across the African plains, and on board an Apache helicopter to explain the magic behind how stuff works. Based on the much-lauded Web site HowStuffWorks.com, this book is your A-to-Z guide to PDAs, MRIs, LEDs, and dozens of other intriguing topics! With More How Stuff Works, you'll never again look the same way at a car wash, clothes dryer, or electronic scanner. * More than 125 captivating articles * Hundreds of full-color photos and illustrations * Fun facts and sidebars * A special chapter on "Police, Military, and Defense" Praise for HowStuffWorks.com: "A+" -Washington Post Online " Top 100 Classics." -PC Magazine "Best Science & Technology Resource." -Yahoo! InternetLife "A-" -Entertainment Weekly "Great Site." -MSNBC "Super Site." -TBS Superstation

    Features: - Complete archive of Dragon magazine, issues 1 through 250- Authority on Advanced Dungeons & Dragons gaming- Completely searchable- Bookmarking function allows you to save information- Mac users can view articles in Adobe Acrobat

    This giant of a man led a life so extraordinary that we would otherwise have had to invent it. In 1803 he escaped from the first official settlement in Victoria, near Sorrento on Port Phillip Bay. For 32 years he lived with Aborigines around the bay before giving himself up in 1835. In this remarkable book, first published in Hobart in 1852, Buckley tells his own story of life beyond the frontier. Brilliantly edited and introduced by Tim Flannery, The Life and Adventures of William Buckley is the ultimate survival story of early Australia, and provides an extraordinary insight into pre-contact Aboriginal society. 'Dr Flannery has done us a service first by reissuing the story of a fascinating adventure from 200 years ago, and then by setting these events in perspective with his lucid introduction.' Canberra Times

    . . from "Braveheart" in 1995 through "Gladiator" in 2000, with the "Titanic" phenomenon and the "Saving Private Ryan"/"Shakespeare in Love" feud in between. There is also complete coverage of the awards ceremonies?with delicious anecdotes on the presenters and performers, the producers and egos, the fashion stars and fashion victims. And, of course, a complete list of all the nominees and winners, as well as a list of notable non-nominees. Picking up where the classic "Inside Oscar" leaves off, this must-have guide treats us to a behind-the-scenes look at one of America's most beloved annual traditions!

    Here, at last, is the perfect little book to tease your imagination and test your sexual IQ (ever heard of the Turtle Stirs position?).From techniques to tall tales, from the physiology of sex to an astounding guide to Sex Slang (Shuffle the Kit Kat? Play the Boneaphone?), this stimulating collection of titillating tidbits, bizarre curiosities, and historical facts is guaranteed to satisfy your lust for knowledge.Did you know…* Nipple rings were popular in the late Victorian Era (see page 27)* The plain, bland graham cracker was originally invented to smother the sex drive (see page 94)* Cleopatra owned one of the world’s first vibrators--a small container of buzzing bees (see page 206)PLUS The History of Sex * Sex in Literature, Film, and Art * Famous Sexual Athletes (and flops) *Perversions and Taboos * And Much More!

    Short, sharp facts combine with hundreds of pictures and illustrations to deliver information with punch. You'll find all the things you ever wanted to know, plus so much more, in one fascinating book. Key subject areas are clearly highlighted; finding information is effortlessly simple with the use of buttonlike icons. Compactd and easy to use, this really is the complete reference resource for the fact hungry.

    Terri Hamilton brings you this detailed look at everything you wanted to know about male and female 'private parts' and didn't even know to ask. In chapters such as "A Hose by Any Other Name" she examines historical and psychological perspectives on genital nomenclature and presents over 500 common - and not so common - nicknames. Dr. Hamilton also peers into a Pandora's Box of sexual scandals, untangles the mystery of pubic hair, tells tales of size and sighs, secrets and secretions, folklore and fertility rituals, and unveils the genital origins of numerous modern day social customs. Tantric teachings, medical mysteries, ecstasies and eccentricities, fashions and foibles all have a place in this meticulously researched compendium. Inside you'll find answers to such provocative questions as:* What do a woman's facial features reveal about the vagina? * Why was pubic hair left off classic Greek Statues?* Who "discovered" the clitoris?* How many girls are born with a penis each year?* Where exactly is the most sensitive spot on the penis? (the answer might surprise you)* What does the "evil eye" have to do with the penis?* What famous silent screen star was said to possess the "Eighth Wonder of the World"?* What foods increase blood flow to the penis?* What is the connection between the upper lip and the clitoris?* What piece of bridal attire has its origins in the hymen?* What do cool fingertips reveal about a woman's genital area?Dr. Hamilton explores the history, development, legends, and myths of human sexuality to provide the revealing answers to these and a host of other questions in this fascinating look at our most private parts.

    Star Trek has taken our world and transplanted it to another century, showing us just how ludicrous some of our societal restrictions really are. Klingons, humans, and Ferengis work side by side; people are not judged by the colour of their skin or what planet they come from; there are no hierarchies, and beings learn to work together to achieve something. This book gathers, for the first time, stories written by the fans themselves — stories of how Star Trek has touched their lives. Read about people who have met the stars of the show; who've met their future spouses at conventions; who followed careers in engineering because of Star Trek; and who live by the philosophies promoted by the show. These stories are heartfelt, and are written for other fans. And this book proves that Star Trek isn't just science fiction; it's a way of life.

    For example, cats use at least a hundred different sounds to communicate and can pronounce thirteen vowel sounds and seven or eight consonant sounds; housecats typically blink twice a minute; and in ancient Egypt, the penalty for killing a cat was death!

    You'll find that they're just as effective, and some are even better!* Stop sunburn with Cheerios(R)!* Clean your teeth wuith McCormick(R) Food Coloring!* Soothe a sore throat with Hershey's(R) Syrup!* Calm allergies with Endust(R)!

    Through the power of their mind alone, these rare individuals are able to influence the thoughts of another, levitate inanimate objects, or gaze into the future to witness their own fate and that of others. Ever since the Atomic War of 2070, the incidence of psi-talent within the population of virtually every city in the world has steadily been increasing - as have the dangerous associated with this unpredictable skill.Over 90 new psi-powers, prestige classes, and monsters are fully detailed in this supplement, greatly expanding the Judge Dredd Roleplaying Game.

    Short, sharp facts combine with hundreds of pictures and illustrations to deliver information with a punch. You'll find all the things you ever wanted to know plus so much more in one fascinating book. Key subject areas are clearly highlighted so finding information is effortlessly simple with the use of button-like icons. Compact and easy to use, this really is the complete reference resource for the fact-hungry. Ten bulleted facts on every spread Fascinating fact panels Highlighted subject areas Hundreds of color illustrations and pictures

    As young men, they opened a bicycle shop. And in December 1903, the Wright brothers became the first to fly. What were Wilbur and Orville like as boys? Did they know that one day they would soar into history? In this book, you will find out all about the Wright brothers before they made history.

    

    Updated with new and up-to-date films, this comprehensive compendium of bloopers, trivia, and fun facts will thrill every movie lover.

    helps you experience firsthand the products, companies, technology, and workers that fuel our economy, from Ben and Jerry's to Harley-Davidson. Whether you're curious about potato chips or computer chips, cars or crayons, you can count on authors and factory-tour experts Karen Axelrod and Bruce Brumberg to help you and your family discover information about more than 300 ordinary and extraordinary products most of us take for granted.

    

    Naval artist Tony Gibbons has provided illustrations for many of the major "landmarks" for designs from 1776 through to 2003.