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Bite-Size Franklin: Wit & Wisdom from a Founding Father
by John P. Holms and Karin BajiAs a bestselling author and our nation's earliest spokesman, Benjamin Franklin brilliantly extolled virtues of temperance, industry, and self-reliance --character traits which throughout our history have been celebrated as both personally liberating and quintessentially American. In this next installment of the highly successful Bite-Size series, Bite-Size Franklin draws some practical wisdom, and more than a few laughs, from Franklin's intimate letters, scientific essays, newspaper articles, and revolutionary writings, as well as from the pages of career advice, aphorisms, and humorous verse he weaved together in his Autobiography, and in his yearly publication Poor Richard's Almanac.
Bite-Size Jane Austen: Sense and Sensibility from One of England's Greatest Writers
by Karin Baji and John P. HolmsJane Austen's novels are filled with wide-ranging commentary from all parts of life. Her sharp-witted and intelligent characters have provided us with memorable quotes time and time again. Finally Austen's sense and sensibility has been compiled in one compact book. In Bite-Size Jane Austen we get her thoughts and words on society, men and women, the arts and writing, business and politics, England, family matters and on the human condition.Bite-Size Jane Austen is the fifth book in the highly successful series. Arranged into eight wide-ranging chapters and many sub-chapters, finding the perfect quote for the perfect situation is simple.On literature and poetry: "Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery. I quit such odious subjects as soon as I can."On men and women:"One half the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other."On writing novels:"An artist cannot do anything slovenly."
Bitter Pills: Inside the Hazardous World of Legal Drugs
by Stephen FriedWe take our medicines on faith. We assume our doctors are well-informed, our drug companies scrupulous, our FDA diligent--and our medications safe. All too often we're wrong. Just how wrong is documented in this critically acclaimed portrait of the international pharmaceutical industry by one of our most highly respected investigative journalists.According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), adverse drug reactions are the fourth leading cause of death in America. Reactions to prescription and over-the-counter medications kill far more people annually than all illegal drug use combined.Stephen Fried's wife took a pill for a minor infection--and ended up in the emergency room. Some drug reactions go away in a few hours or days. Diane's did not. This emotionally wrenching experience launched Fried into a five-year examination of the entire pharmaceutical industry, the most profitable legal business in the world. Rigorously documented, Bitter Pills is a full-scale portrait of pill making and pill taking in America today, presented through the powerful human drama of doctors, patients, drug companies, the FDA, and government regulators as they war for control of our medicine cabinets.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Bizarre Bathroom Reader: Your Plunging Guide into the Strangest Stories, Oddest Trivia, Inexplicable Events, and Unfathomable Mysteries the World Has to Offer!
by Diego Jourdan PereiraThousands of thrilling facts and trivia from murderous cults to UFOs! Did you know legendary skyjacker D. B. Cooper was most likely a Boeing employee? How about the fact that the Manson Family&’s killing spree was meant to incite racial rioting? Or that rather than arriving from outer space, UFOs have been operating from deep within Earth&’s oceans for centuries? Learn true, confidential information about these and other—even stranger!—subjects in this mammoth volume. With mind-boggling facts from the most varied sources, find out all about monsters, magic bullets, and mass hysteria, in five unsinkable chapters: • Puzzling Places • Befuddling Beliefs • Strange Subcultures • Peculiar People • Mystifying Mysteries Whether you&’re interested in conspiracies, ghosts, lucha libre, or the Bermuda Triangle, there is an anti-boredom list, entry, or chronology for everyone in this freakishly huge toilet (or travel) companion. Plunge into the Bizarre Bathroom Reader to find answers to all of those lifelong questions you may have! Featuring interviews with Elizabeth Gracen, J. M. DeMatteis, John H. Newton, Bruce A. Smith, and Preston Dennett!
Bizarre Bluegrass: Strange but True Kentucky Tales
by Keven McQueenFrom ghost towns to circus performers to mass hysteria, the Bluegrass State is no stranger to the strange. Read stories of famed President Abraham Lincoln you've never heard before. Find possible solutions to the mystery of Pearl Bryan's missing head and decipher the outrageous hoaxes involving an unsolvable puzzle and monkeys trained to perform farm work. Learn about the time when the author wrote to Charles Manson as a joke and Manson wrote back--four times. Join author Keven McQueen as he recounts some of the weirder vignettes from Kentucky lore.
Bizarre History: Strange Happenings, Stupid Misconceptions, Distorted Facts and Uncommon Events
by Joe RhatiganThis is history served up high-octane, with all of the fun and none of the boredom. It's not about memorizing lists of dates or names, or remembering which general won what battle. Instead, BIZARRE HISTORY merrily digs up the scandals, the strangeness, and the scintillating details that illuminate personalities, events, and real life. Think of it not as a textbook, but as history's juicy unauthorized biography--a historical document in which relevance never gets in the way of a good read. There are humorous quotes from famous figures such as Mark Twain and Napoleon ("History is a myth that men agree to believe"), as well as witty commentary about leaders of the past. After all, while you're probably familiar with William the Conquerer, have you heard of Charles the Simple, ruler of France and son of Louis the Stammerer? What about the emperor who entered Rome in a chariot drawn by 50 naked slaves--and invented the first whoopee cushion, too? But you can find lots of wildness closer to home: George Washington wrote love letters to a married woman; "Old Hickory" Andrew Jackson had been in at least seven duels before becoming president; and Benjamin Franklin fathered an illegitimate child. Paranoia also plagued a few of our presidents: the only thing Franklin Roosevelt had to fear was the number 13: he wouldn't invite 13 guests to a dinner party or travel on the 13th. And both Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan had encounters with UFOs The fun facts span the globe, covering the crazy acts of Caligula in the Roman Empire; the "Dog Shogun" in 17th century Japan; the "Pork and Beans" war between the US and Canada; and even details about fashion, medicine, sports, and the real Dracula. It's a wild journey that no one could resist
Bizarre London: Discover the Capital's Secrets & Surprises
by David LongA charming gift book of the strangest and most intriguing stories of London. A fascinating tour of London's strangest and most intriguing locations. Ranging from architectural evidence of past incidents and stories of life beneath the city, to anecdotes of magic, mystery, and murder, this is a perfect companion for anyone curious about London.It includes: A Museum of Magical Curiosities; The City's Lost Tunnels and Citadels; The Ghost of a She-Wolf; The Bawdy House Riots; The Story of "Jack the Stripper"; The Atmospheric Railway; The Thames Ringway Bicycle Race; A Banker Hanged at Newgate; The Crossdressing Highwayman; Bluebottles, Rozzers and Woodentops; The Hidden Statue of a Beaver; The "Belgravia of Death"; Whitehall's Licensed Brothel; Pin-Makers, Mole-Takers and Rat Catchers; Drinking in "The Bucket of Blood"; London's Most Haunted House.All of London is here!
Bizarre World: A Collection of the World's Creepiest, Strangest, and Sometimes Most Hilarious Traditions
by E. Reid RossAtlas Obscura meets 1001 Facts to Scare the Sh*t Out of You in this serious survey of the most bizarre, creepy, and sometimes hilarious customs from cultures around the world. Every culture handles life differently. From the “blackening of the bride” in Scotland and the custom of not looking babies in the eyes in Kenya, to enlisting geese as part of the police squad in China and the tradition of children eating bread with chocolate sprinkles for breakfast in Amsterdam, there are so many unique behaviors all across the world. In Bizarre World, journey across the globe to understand how various cultures approach everything from grief, beauty standards, food, parenting, death, stress management, happiness, and more. Many customs may seem perfectly sane, while others, not so much. Some are just downright strange, funny, or weird. There’s so much to discover about the people around us and the beliefs they hold. Let Bizarre World be your armchair guide to a different way of life with quick facts and “did you knows?” that will leave you saying, “huh, that’s strange.”
BizzWords
by Gregory BergmanThere's language. . . and then there is the language of business. In today's offices, you're as likely to hearkitchen-sinkedorsticker shockascapitalizationandbalance sheet. With the international marketplace and the prevalence of text messaging, the vocabulary of business is constantly evolving. This evolution has left many a step behind, wondering: Should you blush if your boss tells you to put some pants on it? Could you be fired for frazzing? What's the correct reaction to a bozo explosion? How does a dot snot act around the office? You will find answers to these questions and more inBizzWords, defining the new buzzwords of business. Written in a sophisticated and slightly irreverent style,BizzWordsis an engaging guide to today's essential, edgy business terms and expressions.
BizzWords
by Gregory BergmanThere's language . . . and then there is the language of business. In today's offices, you're as likely to hear kitchen-sinked or ticker shock as capitalization and balance sheet. With the international marketplace and the prevalence of text messaging, the vocabulary of business is constantly evolving. This evolution has left many a step behind, wondering:Should you blush if your boss tells you to put some pants on it?Could you be fired for frazzing?What's the correct reaction to a bozo explosion?How does a dot snot act around the office?You will find answers to these questions and more in BizzWords, defining the new buzzwords of business. Written in a sophisticated and slightly irreverent style, BizzWords is an engaging guide to today's essential, edgy business terms and expressions. Gregory Bergman is the author of -ISMS from Autoeroticism to Zoroastrianism (An Irreverent Reference) and The Little Bathroom Book Of Philosophy. He received a BA in philosophy from Hunter College. Currently, he serves as associate editor of EQUITIES Magazine, a financial publication. He lives in Southern California.
BizzWords: From Ad Creep to Zero Drag, a Guide to Today's Emerging Vocabulary
by Gregory BergmanThere's language...and then there is the language of business. In today's offices, you're as likely to hear kitchen-sinked or sticker shock as capitalization and balance sheet. With the international marketplace and the prevalence of text messaging, the vocabulary of business is constantly evolving. This evolution has left many a step behind, wondering:Should you blush if your boss tells you to put some pants on it?Could you be fired for frazzing?What's the correct reaction to a bozo explosion?How does a dot snot act around the office? You will find answers to these questions and more in BizzWords, defining the new buzzwords of business. Written in a sophisticated and slightly irreverent style, BizzWords is an engaging guide to today's essential, edgy business terms and expressions.
Black Bass
by John Alden KnightOriginally published in 1949, John Alden Knight's Black Bass enforces the idea that enjoying the sport of bass fishing to its fullest is only possible when one understands every aspect of it, including fish behavior, bass habitat, changing seasons, gear, and different fishing tactics. Gaining greater insight into all facets of the sport will ultimately make for more successful and enjoyable fishing trips.In Black Bass, Knight offers everything fishermen need to know about smallmouth and largemouth bass. He focuses on both equally, as he believed neither is the more superior group. Readers will learn about the life cycles, characteristics, behaviors, diets, and feeding habits of both types of bass. Understanding where and how these fish exist will help all fishermen with the next step: catching them.The second half of Knight's book provides readers with various methods of securing bass while on the water. Chapters are devoted to rods, reels, lines and leaders, lures, and incidental equipment, as well as specific techniques fishermen can use and the advantages and proper handling of each.Black Bass is an entertaining and informative book for bass fishermen everywhere and represents a lifetime of study and fishing in many sections of the United States.
Black Cab Wisdom: Knowledge from the Back Seat
by Mark SolomonIn 2009, London cabbie Mark Solomon began asking passengers in the back of his taxi for a random quote or proverb. The project developed into a popular website (www.blackcabquotes.com), and this pocket-sized book offers the best thoughts for the day, ranging from the truly philosophical to the downright bizarre.
Black Cab Wisdom: Knowledge from the Back Seat
by Mark SolomonIn 2009, London cabbie Mark Solomon began asking passengers in the back of his taxi for a random quote or proverb. The project developed into a popular website (www.blackcabquotes.com), and this pocket-sized book offers the best thoughts for the day, ranging from the truly philosophical to the downright bizarre.
Black Cats & Four-Leaf Clovers
by Harry OliverCross your fingers, knock on wood, and clutch your rabbit's foot a little tighter. In this charming and endlessly diverting book, Harry Oliver delves into the stories behind the traditions and superstitions that permeate our everyday lives, unearthing the fascinating histories of these weird and wonderful notions. So before you search for any more four-leaf clovers, worry about the next Friday the 13th, or avoid walking under any ladders, dip into this amazing tome and discover: * Why breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck. * The best day of the week to ask for a favor. * Why you should never jump over a child in Turkey. .
Black Colleges of Atlanta (The Campus History Series)
by Rodney T. CohenBy 1865, although Atlanta and the Confederacy still lay wounded in the wake of the Union victory, black higher education began its thrust for recognition. Some of the first of the American colleges formed specifically for the education of black students were founded in Atlanta, Georgia. These schools continue, over a century later, to educate, train and inspire. Through an engaging collection of images and informative captions, their story begins to unfold. Atlanta University was the pioneer college for blacks in the state of Georgia. Founded in 1865, it was followed by Morehouse College in 1867, Clark University in 1869, and Spelman and Morris Brown Colleges in 1881. By 1929, Atlanta University discontinued undergraduate work and affiliated with Morehouse and Spelman in a plan known as the "Atlanta University System." A formal agreement of cooperation including all of the Atlanta colleges occurred in 1957, solidifying the common goal and principles each school was founded upon-to make literate the black youth of America. Today, the shared resources of each institution provide a unique and challenging experience for young Africa Americans seeking higher education. The schools boast a long and distinguished list of alumni and scholars, including W.E.B. DuBois, James Weldon Johnson, Martin Luther King, Henry O. Tanner, and C. Eric Lincoln.
Black Feminist Writing: A Practical Guide to Publishing Academic Books
by Stephanie Y. EvansWriting scholarly books is stressful, and academic publishing can be intimidating—especially for women, queer folks, and scholars of color. Black Feminist Writing shows scholars how to prioritize their mental health while completing a book in race and gender studies. Drawing on Black women's writing traditions, as well as her own experience as the author and editor of nine university press books, Stephanie Y. Evans gives scholars tools to sustain the important work of academic writing, particularly in fields routinely under attack by anti-democratic forces. Evans identifies five major areas of stress: personal, professional, publishing-related, public, and political. Each chapter includes targeted discussion questions and tasks to help authors identify their unique stressors, create priorities, get organized, and breathe. Whether working on your first scholarly book or your tenth, this robust, heartfelt guide will help you approach writing as an ongoing practice of learning, creating, and teaching in ways that center wellness and collective self-care.
Black Lesbians: An Annotated Bibliography
by Jr RobertsPublished in 1981, this groundbreaking work is a noteworthy landmark in the history of women's studies, African-American studies, and lesbian and gay studies. The 341 primary bibliographic entries, each one accompanied by an informative annotation, made available a vast body of work about the lives of Black lesbians. Entries cover six primary areas of study: "Lives and Lifestyles"; "Oppression, Resistance, and Liberation"; "Literature and Criticism"; "Music and Musicians"; "Periodicals"; and "Research, Reference, and Popular Studies." Also includes photographs and appendices.
Black Metal
by Dayal PattersonFeaturing a wealth of new interviews with the genre's most central figures, Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult offers the most comprehensive guide yet to the most controversial form of extreme metal. From the pioneers of the early '80s to its fiery rebirth in Scandinavia through to today's diverse groups, this epic analysis captures the movement's development in unparalleled depth.
Black September 1918: WWI’s Darkest Month in the Air
by Frank Bailey Norman Franks Russell GuestThe authors of Bloody April 1917 present a new volume of facts, photos, and analysis covering aerial combat in the last days of the Great War.Fifteen months after the events of April 1917, more battles had been fought, won and lost on both sides, but now the American strength was feeding in to France with both men and material. With the mighty push on the French/American Front at St. Mihiel on September 12 and then along the Meuse-Argonne Front from the 26th, once more masses of men and aircraft were put into the air. They were opposed by no less a formidable German fighter force than had the squadrons in April 1917, although the numbers were not in their favor. Nevertheless, the German fighter pilots were able to inflict an even larger toll of British, French, and American aircraft shot down, making this the worst month for the Allied flyers during the whole of World War I—and this just a mere six weeks from the war’s bloody finale. This book analyzes the daily events throughout September with the use of lists of casualties and claims from both sides. It also contains seven detailed appendices examining the victory claims of all the air forces that fought during September 1918. Although it is difficult to pinpoint exactly who was fighting who high above the trenches, by poring over maps and carefully studying almost all the surviving records, the picture slowly begins to emerge with deadly accuracy. Black September 1918 is a profusely illustrated and essential reference piece to understanding one of the crucial months of war in the skies.
Black Sheep and Lame Ducks
by Albert JackThe fun and fascinating follow-up to the international bestseller Red Herrings and White Elephants Why do people put their "skeletons in a closet," "have a hunch," "get the cold shoulder," "get dressed up to the nines," or "call a spade a spade?" These phrases are used every day, yet most people have little or no idea where most of them come from. In Black Sheep and Lame Ducks, Albert Jack takes readers on a journey through the curious- and often bizarre-origins of hundreds of their favorite idioms and expressions. For example, "wearing your heart on your sleeve" comes from the Middle Ages, when a lady would "give her heart" in the form of a handkerchief pinned to the sleeve of a knight who was about to go into battle. And calling someone the "black sheep in the family" refers to a thousands- year-old belief that a black lamb in a flock was unpopular because its fleece was undyeable and therefore less valuable. With Black Sheep and Lame Ducks, any language-lover can feel like a "Smart Aleck"-and also know exactly who that was. .
Black Star Over Japan: Rising Forces of Militarism (Routledge Library Editions: Japan)
by Albert AxelbankThe Japanese are the only people in the world who have experienced the horror of nuclear weapons with their own flesh. Atomic holocaust was followed by American occupation and the American-inspired, postwar Japanese ‘Peace Constitution’ which explicitly outlawed Japanese military forces and the use of war as an instrument of state policy. At the time of original publication the author argued that contemporary forces within Japan were combining to create a strong movement for revision of the constitution and for the acquisition of nuclear weapons by renewed and powerful military establishment. The American government, which had encouraged rearmament, was beginning to wonder about the world effect of an economically powerful rearmed Japan and was weighing the consequences of considering Japan its only major ally in East Asia. Albert Axelbank suggests that shifting international politics and the conservative momentum in Japan make revision of the constitution and the development of Japanese militarism and nuclear weapons almost inevitable.
Black Stats: African Americans by the Numbers in the Twenty-First Century
by Khalil Gibran Muhammad Monique W. MorrisBlack Stats-a comprehensive guide filled with contemporary facts and figures on African Americans-is an essential reference for anyone attempting to fathom the complex state of our nation. With fascinating and often surprising information on everything from incarceration rates, lending practices, and the arts to marriage, voting habits, and green jobs, the contextualized material in this book will better attune readers to telling trends while challenging commonly held, yet often misguided, perceptions. A compilation that at once highlights measures of incredible progress and enumerates the disparate impacts of social policies and practices, this book is a critical tool for advocates, educators, and policy makers. Black Stats offers indispensable information that is sure to enlighten discussions and provoke debates about the quality of Black life in the United States today-and help chart the path to a better future.There are less than a quarter-million Black public school teachers in the U.S.-representing just 7 percent of all teachers in public schools.Approximately half of the Black population in the United States lives in neighborhoods that have no White residents.In the five years before the Great Recession, the number of Black-owned businesses in the United States increased by 61 percent.A 2010 study found that 41 percent of Black youth feel that rap music videos should be more political.There are no Black owners or presidents of an NFL franchise team.78 percent of Black Americans live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant, compared with 56 percent of White Americans.
Black Subjects in Africa and Its Diasporas
by Quincy T. Mills Benjamin TaltonThrough the research and experiences of scholars whose native homes span ten countries, this collection shifts the discussion of belonging and affinity within Africa and its diaspora toward local perceptions and the ways in which these notions are asserted or altered. The interactions and relationships of the researchers with their subjects, sites, and data in context permits a deeper exploration of the role that race and, more specifically, "blackness" may or may not play. The book accomplishes this through a rare comparative and multidisciplinary exploration of African and Africa diasporic communities and their relationships with the scholars of diverse backgrounds who conduct research among them.
Black Texas Women: A Sourcebook
by Ruthe WinegartenA collection of over 250 documents, fifty biographical sketches, and a timeline that served as the basis for Black Texas Women: 150 Years of Trial and Triumph. When Black Texas Women: 150 Years of Trial and Triumph was published in 1995, it was acclaimed as the first comprehensive history of black women&’s struggles and achievements. This companion volume contains the original source materials that Ruthe Winegarten uncovered during her extensive research. Like a time capsule of black women&’s history, A Sourcebook includes petitions from free women of color, lawsuits, slave testimonies, wills, plantation journals, club minutes, autobiographies, ads, congressional reports, contracts, prison records, college catalogues, newspaper clippings, protest letters, and much more. In addition to the documents, a biographical section highlights the lives of women from various walks of life. The book concludes with a timeline that begins in 1777 and reaches to 1992. This wealth of original material will be a treasure trove for scholars and general readers interested in the emerging field of black women&’s history. &“One of its kind. This book is very much needed because of the scarcity of material on Black women&’s history in Texas, or Black women&’s history in general.&” —Linda Reed, Associate Professor of History and Director, African American Studies Program, University of Houston &“Though readers of conscience are aware of the abuses endured by Black women, no fiction or interpretation in nonfiction can have the impact of original sources.&” —Review of Texas Books