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Uncle John's Presents: Book of the Dumb (Uncle John Presents Ser.)
by John Michael ScalziA celebration of dimwits, lunkheads, bad ideas and just plain wrongheaded foolishness. In every field of human endeavor, there are people, things, and ideas that rank among the best mankind has ever produced. This book isn't about any of that stuff. If there's one thing human history teaches us, over and over and over again, it's this: Never underestimate the power of human stupidity. Time and again, the human capacity to do really dumb things pops up in surprising and sometimes unusually inventive ways, and almost always catches those who do the dumb things by surprise. From crashed Mars landers to vegetable-flavored Jell-O to land wars during bitterly cold Russian winters, The Book of the Dumb chronicles some of the biggest moments in human folly in every field of human endeavor. Author John Scalzi (a frequent contributor to the Uncle John's Bathroom Reader series) takes the reader through the whole of recorded history, looking for the best examples of the worst ideas, regrettable utterances, and crackpot theories in the fields of arts, science, politics, sports, entertainment, and more.
Uncle John's Presents Mom's Bathtub Reader (Uncle John Presents Ser.)
by Sue SteinerGREAT MOTHERLY ADVICE: Inspirational Notes and Quotes from Mom; What They All Learned From Mom (Famous and ordinary folks tell how Mom set them straight); Mom Knows Best -- Or Does She? (Motherly advice that turned out to be wrong)MOMS OF LEGENDS: Dalai Lama's Mom; Einstein's Mom; Elvis Presley's Mom; Thomas Edison's Mom; Presidential Moms (FDR'S Mom, Clinton's Mom etc.)LEGENDARY MOMS: Indria Gandhi; Elinor Roosevelt; Golda Meir; Grace Kelly; Jackie and Rose Kennedy; Margaret Mead; Betty Friedan and Gloria SteinemMOTHERHOOD THROUGH HISTORY:Biblical Moms; Motherhood In Greece and Rome; Mother's Day in Ancient Times; Fashionable Cave Moms; Mideval vs. Renaissance Moms; Life as a Victorian MomNotes and Quotes from History's MomsMOTHERHOOD ACROSS CULTURES: Eskimo moms are Different; What Makes a Jewish Mom?; Africa's Peaceable Moms; A Little Old Irish Mom; Mom Goes LatinaTRIBUTES TO MOM: Statue of Liberty; Whistler's Mother; Poems For Mom; Literary Tributes to Mom; Quotable Tributes to MomMOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS/MOTHERS AND SONS: Those Odd Durrell Boys And Mrs. Durrell; Mary Martin and J.R. of DallasSOCCER MOMS: Callipatira - the Ancient World's First Soccer Mom; Olympic Moms; Muhammed Ali's and Mike Tyson's MomsBASKETBALL AND BASEBALL MOMS (they play)NOTEABLE MOMS (Music): Country Music Moms-- The Judds, The Carters
Uncle John's Robotica: Mechanical Marvels And Mind-melting Machines Of The Past, Present And Future
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteFor more than 25 years, the writers at the Bathroom Readers' Institute have had a soft spot in their hearts for all things robotic. From the promise of artificial intelligence making the world a better place to the threat of an android apocalypse, we never get tired of reading about robots. They perform surgery, traverse the surface of Mars, and even cook a perfect steak...until they malfunction and chase after their human creators. Uncle John's Robotica will stimulate your humor sensors with hundreds of incredible stories about robots from the past, the present...and the future. Prepare to be assimilated as you read about...-Robotic suits...controlled by monkeys-The robot that can rebuild itself-The world's first robot-Pop-culture robots (such as the mecha-Michael Jackson with laser-shooting eyes)-Robotic roaches that herd real cockroaches-Microscopic nanobots that heal you before you know you're sick-Garbage-eating robots-What are the actual chances of a Terminator-style robot war? And much, much more!
Uncle John's Supremely Satisfying Bathroom Reader (Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Annual)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteSupreme satisfaction awaits you in Uncle John's 14th all-new edition, which covers a whole host of topics-from the silly (a branding iron for hot dogs), to the bizarre (an exploding whale), to the profound (the rise of the Democratic and Republican parties). 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 soap works, why people started tipping, and the history of chocolate? Uncle John rules the world of information and humor, so get ready to be thoroughly entertained. Read all about...Dumb 9-1-1 calls22 things that fell from the skyHow Star Trek went from failed series to cult phenomenonThe origins of football, photography, soap operas, and paperclipsQuack medicines from yesterday and todayThe "Uplifting" history of the braAnd much more!
Uncle John's Top Secret Bathroom Reader For Kids Only! Collectible Edition (For Kids Only)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteAdults, stop reading now. We mean it. This book is TOP SECRET and it's FOR KIDS ONLY! (Are the grownups gone? Good.) Now that it's just the kids, we'll let the cat out of the bag: This book is full of disgusting things and nasty (but funny) pranks. It's also packed with weird superstitions, freaky facts, unbelievable myths and legends, and did we mention gross stuff? Like boogers. And farting ghosts. And armpit sniffers. And entomophagy. (What's that? It's the practice of eating worms.) But there's more than just gross stuff in this illustrated and easy-to-read book. You'll be briefed in...-How to make your own secret code-Where the "Jolly Roger" pirate flag came from-Mermaid tales and other unbelievable sightings-The original alchemist and the search for the philosopher's Stone-The Captain Underpants story-A secret recipe for edible glass-Sneakers of the future, ...And much much more!
Uncle John's Totally Quacked Bathroom Reader For Kids Only!
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteIt's wacky and fun! It's illustrated and easy to read! It's a whole new twist on learning! And it's FOR (curious) KIDS ONLY-boys, girls, kids who like to read, kids who don't...even grown-up kids. Go ahead, be curious! Inside Uncle John's Totally Quacked Bathroom Reader you'll find 288 pages packed with strange science, weird news, obscure history, odd sports, and the interesting origins of everyday things. Special to this edition: amazing animal quack-ups, history's biggest quacks, ducky weather, fine feathered friends, quacky fashion, and things that are "Just Ducky" (which could mean really good or...soaking wet). And that's not all!The newest fact-packed reader in the Uncle John's FOR KIDS ONLY series features such topics as...-Thorrablot! An Icelandic holiday with all the rotten shark you can eat!-Banned from Toy Stores: the Atomic Energy Lab science kit-Gag-inducing Stuff Found in Fast Foods-The World's Stupidest Apps-Moonbows, Snowballs, and Fire from the Sky!Plus...riddles and jokes, quotes and quizzes, experiments and recipes, brainteasers and much, much more!Uncle John's Totally Quacked Bathroom Reader includes story lengths to fit any attention span, and they're all fun, informative, and educational.
Uncle John's Triumphant 20th Anniversary Bathroom Reader (Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Annual)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteHappy birthday, Uncle John! This 20th anniversary edition-Uncle John's Triumphant 20th Bathroom Reader-proves that some things do get better with age. 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 find obscure trivia, strange lawsuits, dumb crooks, origins of everyday things, forgotten history, quotations, and wordplay? Uncle John rules the world of information and humor, so get ready to be thoroughly entertained. Read all about...The origin of the Golden RuleHow your taste buds workThe real ZorroSpace needles, Ferris wheels, and the weirdest structures of all timeBooks by crooksAnd much, much more!
Uncle John's Truth, Trivia, and the Pursuit of Factiness Bathroom Reader (Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Annual)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteIt’s all about the facts—and Uncle John is back with a ton of them!For the 32nd year, Uncle John and his loyal researchers have teamed up to bring you the latest tidbits from the world of pop culture, history, sports, and strange news stories. If you want to read about celebrity misdeeds, odd coincidences, and disastrous blunders, Uncle John’s Truth, Trivia, and the Pursuit of Factiness has what you need. With short articles for a quick trip to the throne room and longer page-turners for an extended visit, this all-new edition of Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader is a satisfying read.
Uncle John's Ultimate Bathroom Reader: It's The 8th Bathroom Reader! (Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Annual)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteUncle John's all-new 8th edition is packed with everything that Bathroom Reader fans have come to expect from this stellar series--short, medium, and long articles covering a whole host of topics--everything from dumb crooks to funny quotes to forgotten history. <P><P>Read about . . .- Ice cream origins- Olympic cheaters- Celebrity mummies- The first Thanksgiving- Groucho's wit and wisdom- Weird tales of the Ouija board- The creation of Frankenstein's monster- "Earring Magic Ken" and other weird dolls And much, much more!
Uncle John's UNCANNY Bathroom Reader (Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Annual #29)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteThe beloved bathroom reader series continues with this twenty-ninth edition that&’s overflowing with strange facts on an assortment of topics. What&’s so uncanny about the twenty-ninth annual edition of Uncle John&’s? This enduring book series has been delivering entertaining information to three generations of readers (so far) . . . and it&’s still going strong! How do they do it? Back in 1988, Uncle John successfully predicted the way that twenty-first-century readers would want their information: in quick hits, concisely and cleverly written, and with details so delightful that you&’re compelled to share them with someone else. (Kind of like the Internet, but without all those annoying ads.) This groundbreaking series has been imitated time and time again but never equaled. And Uncanny is the Bathroom Readers&’ Institute at their very best. Covering a wide array of topics—incredible origins, forgotten history, weird news, amazing science, dumb crooks, and more—readers of all ages will enjoy these 512 pages of the best stuff in print. Here are but a few of the uncanny topics awaiting you: · The World&’s Weirdest Protests · The Wit and Wisdom of Bill Murray · Forgotten Game Shows · Darth Vader&’s Borderline Personality Disorder, and Other Real Psychiatric Diagnoses of Fictional Characters · Manly Historical Leaders and Their Manly Tattoos · NASA&’s &“Pillownaut&” Experiment · The Secret Lives of Squatters · Cooking with Mr. Coffee · Odd Alcoholic Drinks from Around the World · The History of the Tooth Fairy · Zoo Escapes · And much more IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award winner 2017!
Uncle John's Unsinkable Bathroom Reader (Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Annual #21)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteAn all-new collection overflowing with weird facts and wild stories! Uncle John and his crack staff of writers are back—and still at the top of their game after all these years. Where else but in an Uncle John&’s Bathroom Reader could you find out about . . . the tapeworm diet * forty-four things to do with a coconut * the history of the Comstock Lode * seven (underwater) places to see before you die * medical miracles (and medical horrors) * the godfather of fitness * high-tech underwear * the CSI effect * and much more!
Uncle John's Weird Weird World: Who, What, Where, When, and Wow! (Weird, Weird World Ser.)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteBeauty pageants, bad musicals, bizarre diseases, and more: it&’s all covered in this collection of fascinating trivia and full-color pictures! It&’s finally here: the book that Uncle John&’s fans have been asking for: a full-color, illustrated edition featuring the most entertaining articles from the world&’s bestselling bathroom trivia series! Hundreds of eye-popping photographs add a new dimension to Uncle John&’s unique blend of trivia, humor, origins, history, science, and oddities. All the reader favorites are included—including dumb crooks, weird news, flubbed headlines, strange lawsuits, quirky quotations—and more. Now they pop off the pages like never before! So stimulate your visual cortexes as you read about . . . •Weird Beauty Pageants •40 Odd Uses for WD-40 •&“Bagpiper&’s Fungus&” and other bizarre diseases •The Wild World of Weird Sports •The &“putrified forest&” at Tennessee&’s Body Farm •The origins of Monopoly, the lava lamp, computer viruses, and B movies •World records that are so risky, Guinness won&’t even report them •The all-time dumbest business decisions •Harrowing stories from history, including the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the Pilgrims&’ uncomfortable ride on the Mayflower •The Toxic Travel Guide •How to cook with roadkill, get your TV show on the air, and more •Whatever happened to Nikola Tesla&’s death ray? •Real-life superheroes . . . and much, much more!
Uncle John's Weird Weird World Epic: Epic (The Strangest Things on Earth... Unearthed
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteA collection of some of the wildest and weirdest trivia packed with incredible facts, obscure history, interesting origins, bizarre quotes, and more. The second fully illustrated entry in Uncle John&’s popular new Weird, Weird World series opens a portal to the bizarre. It&’s page after page of unbelievable history, odd origins, tales of amazing luck, kooky conspiracy theories, epic fails, astounding facts, and some things that are so weird that they defy description. That&’s where the pictures come in: Hundreds of eye-popping photographs and illustrations take the humor and the fun to a whole new dimension . . . to the EPIC zone! Read about . . . • How to Hypnotize a Chicken • The Origin of the Lie Detector • Weirdest Ways to Die at National Parks • Feral Cat Day and Other Strange-But-Real Holidays • Here Comes the Spammobile! • Keith Urban Legends • The Power of Poo • Winners of &“Ugly Dog&” Contests • Weird World Records • TV Shows That Were All a Dream • Kalshnikov Pat & the Helicopter Jailbreakers • Odd-phrodisiacs • Japan&’s Most Surreal Video Games • News Pundits Gone Wild • The Pacific Garbage Patch • Calamity Jane and the Old West&’s Toughest Gals • What Your Nose Says About Your Love Life • Scams That Could Only Be Pulled Off by Identical Twins • Anarchy in the E.R. And much, much more
Uncommon Courtesy: The Basics of Good Behavior for a Badly Behaved World
by Jennifer M WoodThis book is the short slap to the back of the head most people need nowadays. In a world that's more likely to flip the bird than hold the door, it's their reminder of proper behavior. You'll receive a (re-)schooling in manners with lessons split up by situation, then tackled by topic. Each note corrects conduct that's become all too common, like . . .Bad Behavior: Popping a piece of gum into your mouth midconversation, and stressing your point by snapping it.Courteous Fix: If you're going to have a piece of gum while talking to someone, be sure to offer your companion a piece--and keep your mouth closed as you chew. You want your breath to be fresh. Not your attitude.It's a reminder that it wasn't always out of place to be polite.
An Uncommon History of Common Things
by Patrick BethanneSometime about 30,000 years ago, somebody stuck a sharp rock into a split stick, and presto! The axe was born. Our inquisitive species just loves tinkering, testing, and pushing the limits, and this delightfully different book is a freewheeling reference to hundreds of customs, notions, and inventions that reflect human ingenuity throughout history. From hand tools to holidays to weapons to washing machines, An Uncommon History of Common Things features hundreds of colourful illustrations, timelines, sidebars, and more as it explores just about every subject under the sun. Who knew that indoor plumbing has been around for 4,600 years, but punctuation, capital letters, and the handy spaces between written words only date back to the Dark Ages? Or that ancient soldiers baked a kind of pizza on their shields - when they weren't busy flying kites to frighten their foes? A lively, incomparably browsable read for history buffs, pop culture lovers, and anyone who relishes the odd and extraordinary details hidden in the everyday, it will inform, amuse, astonish, and alter the way you think about the clever creatures we call humans.
An Uncommon History of Common Things
by John Thompson Henry Petroski Bethanne PatrickSometime about 30,000 years ago, somebody stuck a sharp rock into a split stick-and presto! The axe was born. Our inquisitive species just loves tinkering, testing, and pushing the limits, and this delightfully different book is a freewheeling reference to hundreds of customs, notions, and inventions that reflect human ingenuity throughout history.From hand tools to holidays to weapons to washing machines, An Uncommon History of Common Things features hundreds of colorful illustrations, timelines, sidebars, and more as it explores just about every subject under the sun. Who knew that indoor plumbing has been around for 4,600 years, but punctuation, capital letters, and the handy spaces between written words only date back to the Dark Ages? Or that ancient soldiers baked a kind of pizza on their shields-when they weren't busy flying kites to frighten their foes?Every page of this quirky compendium catalogs something fascinating, surprising, or serendipitous. A lively, incomparably browsable read for history buffs, pop culture lovers, and anyone who relishes the odd and extraordinary details hidden in the everyday, it will inform, amuse, astonish-and alter the way you think about the clever creatures we call humans.
An Uncommon History of Common Things, Volume 2
by National GeographicThis vivid, engrossing book reveals the fascinating stories behind the objects in your world, what you wear, what you eat, what entertains you, and more. Discover the history behind the world's tallest skyscrapers, find out when people first started drinking caffeine and why it wakes us up, and learn how GPS came to be. For those who loved the first installment of An Uncommon History of Commmon Things come even more short entries illustrated by full color photos. These incorporate quirky anecdotes about the history of everyday objects, including the personalities and pitfalls along the path to innovation and unusual facts behind things we frequently see and use. Smart, surprising, and informative, this book is the ultimate resource for history and trivia buffs alike. Dive into these entertaining pages and let your curiosity to run wild!
Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child
by Telaina EriksenWinner of the Sixth Annual Bisexual Book Award for Non-fiction, 2017Looking for LGBTQ books that offer guidance on providing loving support to your LGBT child?Parents of LGBT children guide: Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child provides parents of a LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning) child with a framework for helping their LGBTQ child navigate through a world that isn’t always welcoming. Author Telaina Eriksen, a professor at Michigan State University and the mother of a gay daughter, explains what she and her husband have learned through experience, including how to:Deal with gay children coming outConfront bullying of gay childrenBecome an advocate for gay childrenBuild a support system in a gay familyGender and sexuality: Eriksen also covers the science on gender and sexuality and how to help a transgender child through the various stages of development. Throughout the book parents and kids who have been there, share their stories. She also directs gay family parents to various resources online to help them.LGBTQ parents will learn…How to help their child navigate locker rooms, sleepovers, proms, etc.When to involve the police or school administration when it comes to bullyingHow to advocate for local, state and national policies that protect your childWays to educate well-meaning, but misguided extended family membersHow to help start a Gay-Straight Alliance at your child’s schoolStrategies for keeping your child talking after he or she comes outSigns of unhealthy relationshipsWhen to consider therapy for your child and/or your familyHow to find an LGBTQ-friendly community (including inclusive churches)
The Uncyclopedia
by Gideon HaighMake way for this defiantly idiosyncratic, hilariously illuminating compendium of curiosities you never knew you wanted to know! How do you flirt in Turkish? How do you dump someone in Japanese? What are the names of all the animals ever sent into space? These are just some of the fun and insightful oddities that made Gideon Haigh's The Uncyclopedia a hit overseas. The first ever encyclopedia for the curious, The Uncyclopedia is a compendium of illuminating knowledge and a delight for all inquisitive readers. As proved by Schott's Original Miscellany and the enormous rise in popularity of quiz and trivia nights, arcane knowledge and non-essential facts have never been so popular. At last in one convenient volume, everything for knowledge-hungry readers: Lists of Norse gods Suicide notes of the famous All anyone needs to know about How to toast in 10 languages A list of all the men to walk on the moon Twenty Latin mottoes Fortune-telling techniques Neither trivial nor essential, yet always engaging and illuminating, The Uncyclopedia is the reference book referred to purely for the purposes of amusement--and readers just can't put it down!
Under Arrest: Canadian Laws You Won't Believe
by Bob TarantinoDid you know that Canada’s Criminal Code still has provisions outlawing the practice of witchcraft and "crafty sciences"? Did you know that blasphemy is a crime in Canada? And did you know that putting a picture of a red poppy on your website could get you in trouble with the Royal Canadian Legion? Lawyer and author Bob Tarantino takes readers on an entertaining and informative romp through Canada’s legal labyrinths in a book that spotlights the country’s past and present strange-but-true laws and legal history. He examines odd statutes and arcane jurisprudence across the spectrum of Canadian endeavours, from war and religion to sex and culture to politics and business. Frequently, he demonstrates the parallels between yesterday’s prohibitions and today’s trends such as the edict against duelling and the legalities of twenty-first-century hockey slugfests, or the confiscation of so-called crime comics in the 1950s and the controversy surrounding violence in contemporary video games.
Under the Covers and between the Sheets
by C. Alan JoyceBibliophiles, grab your glasses! Here is a compendium of interesting--and often scandalous--facts and quips about the literary world. Featuring authors and tomes of yesteryear and yesterday, from Tolkien's Middle- earth to Jeffrey Eugenides's Middlesex, you'll sections such as: You Don't Say?: Commonly-used words and phrases that were coined or popularized in classic words of fiction--sometimes with very different meanings. Gruesomely Ever After: The original endings of some of the world's most cherished fairy tales--"Snow White," "The Little Mermaid," "Cinderella," and more. Parental Guidance Suggested: Banned works of fiction and the controversy surrounding them. Lions and Tigers and Bears (Oh My!): The real-life stories and inspirations behind beloved "leading creatures." Time to Make the Doughnuts: Odd jobs of famous authors. Tell Me a Story: Dahl's short stories, Seuss's political cartoons; the lesser-known, and sometimes shocking, adult writings of beloved children's authors. The Long Con: Shocking (and sometimes shockingly long-lived) literary hoaxes: Frey, JT Leroy, The Education of Little Tree, The Day After Roswell, etc. Science Fiction, Science Fact: If alien monoliths are ever found on the moon, the safer bet is that they would be translucent crystal; Sir Arthur C. Clarke is celebrated for making accurate predictions of various technologies, years ahead of their time. A look at which of his predictions held true and the same feats of other authors. Yes, But is it Art?: The weirdest books ever written: books without verbs, without punctuation...or without the letter "e". Make this and all of the Blackboard Books(tm) a permanent fixture on your shelf, and you'll have instant access to a breadth of knowledge. Whether you need homework help or want to win that trivia game, this series is the trusted source for fun facts.
Under the Open Skies
by Markus Torgeby Frida TorgebyTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERA guide for living outdoors and communing with the natural world—under the open skies."I believe in sleeping outdoors, surrounded by tall fir trees, darkness and cold. Lying on my back and looking up at the stars, watching my breath form thin clouds."Under the Open Skies is one man’s perspective-shifting, immersive journey into the wilds of northern Sweden and into his own soul. For four years, Markus Torgeby lived alone in a hut he built with his hands in the Jämtland forest on the northern tip of Sweden, reconnecting with nature, and healing from the stress and strain of urban life and an athletic career derailed by injury.For Markus, living in the forest provided something concrete—cool winter air on his face, a cotton canvas of clouds overhead, wet clothes drying over the fire. Free from the constraints of modernity, his only responsibilities were the basics of survival—shelter, heat, food. Rooted on the ground under a bed of leaves, with his head finally aligned with his body, Markus found the solitude and silence he needed to be reborn.In this moving elegy, Markus offers lessons both practical—how to make fire, how to craft an outdoor bed, how to tap trees for water—and profound—what it means to become one with the natural world, to live authentically, to reconnect with yourself and your surroundings. Illustrated with 75 beautiful full-color photographs taken by his wife, Frida, Under the Open Skies is as invigorating as a long hike on a brisk morning and as sublime as a bowl of cinnamon porridge at the end of a long day. It is an invitation—to the stressed, disconnected, and lonely, to all who yearn to unplug and slow down, to those who wonder how life got so complicated—to come home to nature, to open the mind and heart to the wide-open sky.
Undercover Golf
by Joe Borgenicht R. D. RobinsonGetting through a day off the links Minor obligations like work and family shouldn't stand in the way of your game. Undercover Golf will help you perfect your grip, your stance, your swing, and your putt--anytime, anywhere--without anyone catching on, and without clubs, balls or tees. You'll learn how to: * Check proper hand position in a meeting * Practice weight distribution while drinking at a bar * Turn your center point while sweeping in the kitchen * Practice inside arm/knee pressure while hugging your significant other Whether you are hiking, shopping, mopping, or dining out, this complete secret swingers training course means time spent off the course doesn't have to be time spent off your game.
The Underdog: How I Survived the World's Most Outlandish Competitions
by Joshua DavisJoshua Davis had a dream. He dreamt of being the best. It didn't really matter what he was the best at, he just wanted to be number one, the big enchilada, to say that he had made it. This is how it began: Josh was driving through the Mojave Desert one day when he saw a sign for the American arm-wrestling championship - all comers welcome. He decided to enter. He came fourth, out of four, but this was enough to secure him a place on Team USA and the chance of a show-down with the 'Russian Ripper' at the world championships in Poland (that didn't end very well either). But Josh had tasted the dizzy rush of competition and wanted more. And more turned out to be the most outlandish contests in the world - from bull fighting in Spain and backward running in Italy, to sumo wrestling and the World Sauna Championship in Finland. Joshua's quest is by turns hilarious, harrowing and a little insane, but it is also inspiring - because, after all, every underdog deserves his day.
The Undergraduate Essay
by Robert McDougall Robin HarrisThe Undergraduate Essay sets before the student examples of writing from which he can learn what to do and why. Part I of this book consists of six complete essays of average undergraduate length. All are specimens rather than models; these essays are well-written, but they are not faultless. In Part II, the authors define and discuss the principles of sound essay writing by considering in turn the plan, paragraph structure, sentence structure, diction, punctuation, and under the title "The Conventions of Scholarship" the use of footnotes and the preparation of a bibliography. Throughout, the student is urged to study examples, and to think critically and constructively on the problems raised. It follows that The Undergraduate Essay makes no attempt to do the work either of the student of the instructor. It is a text which invites, indeed demands, the co-operative effort of both.