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Uncle John's Lists That Make You Go Hmmm...
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteA list of five words to describe Uncle John's Lists That Make You Go Hmmm...: 1. Funny; 2. Fact-filled; 3. Surprising; 4. Unique; 5. Essential.Uncle John's Lists That Make You Go Hmmm... puts a whole new spin on Uncle John’s unique brand of trivia. Readers will be treated to 288 pages of irresistible easy-to-digest lists featuring short facts, fascinating history, and weird news--plus lists about science, sports, quotes, wordplay, showbiz, and random oddities. Some examples: “4 Yellow Things (and Why They’re Yellow”), “5 Dumb Crooks Who Led the Cops Right To Them,” “The 6 Smartest Dog Breeds,” “7 Lists of 7s” (on page 77), “Hollywood’s 8 Stupidest Science Goofs,” “9 Celebrity Marriages that Didn’t Outlast Milk,” and “The 10 Commandments (and 10 Politicians Who Broke Them).”
Uncle John's New & Improved Briefs: Fast Facts, Terse Trivia & Astute Articles
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteNow Uncle John’s fans can get their dose of trivia…on the go!Fresh from the package, Uncle John presents his spanking-clean new and improved Briefs! We’ve refreshed a fan favorite that includes many of the greatest one- and two-page articles we’ve written, with more than twenty-five pages of new content. Uncle John’s New & Improved Briefs is chock-full of thousands of great facts and hundreds of quick hits covering history, origins, blunders, sports, pop science, and entertainment—plus a sprinkling of riddles, puns, anagrams, and other classic wordplay. Just open up to any one of these 288 pages. Who knows what you might find? Read about…The secrets of top-secret spy lingoThe monkey that got a head transplant…and livedBizarre recipes: jellied moose nose, steamed muskrat legs, and haggisThe worst movie bloopers from Best Picture Oscar winnersThe little-known story of the best deal in sports historyThe man behind Death Valley’s “Castle in the Desert”How to decipher the hidden codes on a dollar billSinister left-handed factsEarth’s greatest hitsAnd much, much more!
Uncle John's New & Improved Funniest Ever
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteThe title says it all: This is the funniest Uncle John book EVER, in the newest and most improved way. (It might even be the funniest book in the history of books, but Uncle John is much too modest to state that outright...even though it is).It’s new, it’s improved, it’s the funniest ever! Back by popular demand, this newly revised edition includes plenty of all-time favorites, along with more than twenty-five pages of new content. That’s page after page after page of laugh-out-loud dumb jokes, dumb jocks, toasts, pranks, kings, kittens, caboodles, and, of course, poorly translated kung fu movie subtitles such as “It took my seven digestive pills to dissolve your hairy crab!” So whether you like your humor witty or witless, light or dark, silly or sublime, you’ll laugh until your head explodes. Chortle at…Dumb crooks: The robber who ran face-first into a wall because he forgot to poke eye holes in his pillowcase. Witty wordplay: If Snoop Dogg were to marry Winnie-the-Pooh, his name would become Snoop Dogg Pooh.Flubbed headlines: “British Left Waffles On House Floor” Quirky stars: Billy Idol’s concert rider demands he have one large tub of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter in his dressing room.Job lingo: If you hear an E.R. doc mention a “VIP,” be on the lookout for a “very intoxicated patient.”Sputtering sportscasters: “If only faces could talk.” —Pat Summerall And much, much more!
Uncle John's OLD FAITHFUL 30th Anniversary Bathroom Reader (Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Annual)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteCelebrate the big 3-0 with this thrilling 30th edition of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader—and cheers to 30 more!What's even more trusty and awe-inspiring than Old Faithful, the Yellowstone geyser that erupts 17 times a day? Uncle John and the Bathroom Readers' Institute! Every year for the past three decades, Uncle John and his team of tireless researchers have delivered an epic tome packed with thousands of fascinating factoids. And now this extra-special 30th anniversary edition has everything you've come to expect from the BRI, and more! It's stuffed with 512 pages of all-new articles sure to please everyone, from our longtime readers to newbies alike. You'll get the scoop on the latest "scientific" studies, weird world news, surprising history, and obscure facts. Here's just a sampling of what's in store: From foe to friend: presidential rivals who are buddies now What you never thought to do with those old CDs you have lying around Saddam Hussein revealed…and it's not pretty James Bond author Ian Fleming and his most titillating book titles The creepiest murderabilia that no one would want…except these people The origins of Project Gutenberg and its free e-books All-new editions of our most popular series, including Terrible Typos, Phrase Origins, and You Call This Art? Myths and facts about our friends—nos amis—the French The most horrifying things ever lost or found And much, much more!
Uncle John's Perpetually Pleasing Bathroom Reader (Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Annual #26)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteThe beloved bathroom reader series returns with this twenty-sixth edition that&’s flush with weird facts on a wide array of topics. The twenty-sixth annual edition of Uncle John&’s wildly successful series is all-new and jam-packed with the BRI&’s patented mix of fun and information. Open to any page and you may find an interesting origin (like the origin of the snow globe) or a piece of obscure history (like the true story of the man who tried to repeal the law of gravity). You&’ll also find weird news, urban legends, brain teasers, classic riddles, bizarre headlines, and of course, the incredible factoids at the bottom of each page. Here are a few of the perpetually pleasing articles awaiting you: · The Lamest Excuses of All Time · How to Survive on . . . Roadkill · Astronauts Who Got Kicked Out of Space · The Woman Who Was Her Own Twin · Foiled by Technology: Dumb Crooks Edition · The History of the Teleprompter, the Police Car, and the Fly Swatter · &“Jogging Makes You Dumber,&” and Other Real Study Results · The Lost Fortune of Abraham Lincoln · Boxing Lingo · And much, much more2014 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Silver Winner in Humor!
Uncle John's Plunges into California: Illustrated Edition (Uncle John's Illustrated Ser.)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteCalifornia here we come! Uncle John is taking a full-color plunge into the land of freeways, fun in the sun, cable cars, and movie stars.From the redwood forest to the Mexican border, the Pacific coastline to the Mojave Desert, California is the most populous state in the Union and the eighth-largest economy in the world. And what better way to honor America’s most influential state than by devoting an entire Technicolor compendium to the cause? Inside this book, readers will discover obscure history, learn fascinating facts, and meet the unique people who make California so great. So grab your sunglasses, hold on to your gold-miner’s hat, and plunge into the Golden State!
Uncle John's Political Briefs
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteNo one skewers public servants of all political stripes like Uncle John! Here's a no-holds-barred look at the history and lunacy of our govern-mental machine. Starting with the birth of democracy in the western world, you'll learn how today's political landscape was shaped and get an inside look at how government works (and doesn't work)--from Main Street to Wall Street to Pennsylvania Avenue to the world stage. These 288 pages consist of the most eye-opening political articles from the BRI's 25-year-history, plus a few all-new pieces ripped from the election-year headlines. So do your civic duty and read about . . .Toilet diplomacyGingrich vs. the GlitteratiWhy a donkey? Why an elephant?Animals that ran for office . . . and wonThe island election that was buried by a volcanic eruptionThe birth, death, and rebirth of America's major political partiesWhy the first U.S. congresswoman had to hide in a phone bothThe rapper who (nearly) took a swing at RomneyThe Russian czar who taxed the human soulThe secret plot to take down FDRPoisonous pundits And much, much more!
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 most trusted name in trivia has done it again!What’s so uncanny about the 29th 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 21st-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 And much more! IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award winner 2017!The World’s Weirdest ProtestsThe Wit and Wisdom of Bill MurrayForgotten Game ShowsDarth Vader’s Borderline Personality Disorder, and Other Real Psychiatric Diagnoses of Fictional CharactersManly Historical Leaders and Their Manly TattoosNASA’s "Pillownaut" ExperimentThe Secret Lives of SquattersToilets, Motorcycles, and Other Strange Things That Have Fallen From the SkyThe Origins of Apples and Oranges (and a Bunch of Other Fruits)Where to Visit Real-Life Horror Movie LocationsCooking with Mr. CoffeeOdd Alcoholic Drinks From Around the WorldThe History of the Tooth FairyZoo Escapes!And much, much more!
Uncle John's Unsinkable Bathroom Reader (Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Annual #21)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteWith this all-new 21st edition, Uncle John's Unsinkable Bathroom Reader, Uncle John and his crack staff of writers prove that after more than two decades in the business, they're still at the top of their game. 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.Who else but Uncle John could tell you about the tapeworm diet, 44 things to do with a coconut, and the history of the Comstock Lode? Uncle John rules the world of information and humor, so get ready to be thoroughly entertained. Read all about...7 (underwater) places to see before you dieMedical miracles (and medical horrors)The godfather of fitnessHigh-tech underwearThe CSI effectAnd much more!
Uncle John's Weird, Weird World: Who, What, Where, When, and Wow! (Weird, Weird World Ser.)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteIt'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!
The Big Walks of the North
by David BathurstDavid Bathurst has unlaced his boots to produce this definitive companion to the ten best-loved long-distance footpaths in the north of Britain, with each split into manageable sections. Combining detailed descriptions with an appreciation of the beauty and history of the British countryside, this in an indispensable guide for all walkers.
The Big Walks of the North
by David BathurstDavid Bathurst has unlaced his boots to produce this definitive companion to the ten best-loved long-distance footpaths in the north of Britain, with each split into manageable sections. Combining detailed descriptions with an appreciation of the beauty and history of the British countryside, this in an indispensable guide for all walkers.
1,000 Indian Recipes (1,000 Recipes #5)
by Neelam BatraDelve into the fascinating flavors and variety of Indian cuisine with this unrivaled recipe collectionYou'll discover delicious choices for dishes that make Indian food unforgettable: crispy fritters; tangy pickles; chaat snacks and salads; refreshing yogurt raitas; richly flavored curries; comforting legume (dal) dishes; creative vegetable and meat main courses and side dishes; decadent desserts; and exotic drinks.To guide your cooking, Neelam Batra provides time-and labor-saving methods, ingredient substitutions, and menu suggestions, and addresses modern health concerns without sacrificing flavor. This is a book Indian food lovers—and health-conscious eaters and vegetarians, too—can turn to for everyday meals and special occasions for years to come!
Liberty, Slavery and the Law in Early Modern Western Europe: Omnes Homines aut Liberi Sunt aut Servi (Studies in the History of Law and Justice #17)
by Filip BatseléThis book investigates the legal evolution of the “free soil principle” in England, France and the Low Countries during the Early Modern period (ca. 1500–1800), which essentially stated that, as soon as slaves entered a certain country, they would immediately gain their freedom. This book synthesizes the existing literature on the origins and evolution of the principle, adds new insights by drawing on previously undiscussed primary sources on the development of free soil in the Low Countries and employs a pan-Western, European and comparative approach to identify and explain the differences and similarities in the application of this principle in France, England and the Low Countries. Divided into four sections, the book begins with a brief introduction to the subject matter, putting it in its historical context. Slavery is legally defined, using the established international law definition, and both the status of slavery in Europe before the Early Modern Period and the Atlantic slave trade are discussed. Secondly, the book assesses the legal origins of the free soil principle in England, France and the Low Countries during the period 1500–1650 and discusses the legal repercussions of slaves coming to England, France and the Low Countries from other countries, where the institution was legally recognized. Thirdly, it addresses the further development of the free soil principle during the period 1650–1800. In the fourth and last section, the book uses the insights gained to provide a pan-Western, European and comparative perspective on the origins and application of the free soil principle in Western Europe. In this regard, it compares the origins of free soil for the respective countries discussed, as well as its application during the heyday of the Atlantic slave trade. This perspective makes it possible to explain some of the divergences in approaches between the countries examined and represents the first-ever full-scale country comparison on this subject in a book.
Information and Life
by Gérard BattailCommunication, one of the most important functions of life, occurs at any spatial scale from the molecular one up to that of populations and ecosystems, and any time scale from that of fast chemical reactions up to that of geological ages. Information theory, a mathematical science of communication initiated by Shannon in 1948, has been very successful in engineering, but biologists ignore it. This book aims at bridging this gap. It proposes an abstract definition of information based on the engineers' experience which makes it usable in life sciences. It expounds information theory and error-correcting codes, its by-products, as simply as possible. Then, the fundamental biological problem of heredity is examined. It is shown that biology does not adequately account for the conservation of genomes during geological ages, which can be understood only if it is assumed that genomes are made resilient to casual errors by proper coding. Moreover, the good conservation of very old parts of genomes, like the HOX genes, implies that the assumed genomic codes have a nested structure which makes an information the more resilient to errors, the older it is. The consequences that information theory draws from these hypotheses meet very basic but yet unexplained biological facts, e.g., the existence of successive generations, that of discrete species and the trend of evolution towards complexity. Being necessarily inscribed on physical media, information appears as a bridge between the abstract and the concrete. Recording, communicating and using information exclusively occur in the living world. Information is thus coextensive with life and delineates the border between the living and the inanimate.
The Book of Everything
by Mary BattenTwo Frenchmen set out to change the world with a revolutionary idea of collecting all the world's knowledge.
The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love
by Jackie BattenfieldUsing a "tough love approach" to pursuing a career in the visual arts, Jackie Battenfield expands on her highly successful classes and workshops to provide a comprehensive guide for both emerging and mid-career artists.Providing real-life examples, illustrations, and step-by-step exercises, Battenfield offers readily applicable advice on all aspects of the job. Along with tips on planning and assessment, she presents strategies for self-management, including marketing, online promotion, building professional relationships, grant writing, and portfolio development.Each chapter ends with an insightful "Reality Check" interview, featuring advice and useful information from high-profile artists and professionals.The result is an inspiring, experiential guide brimming with field-tested techniques that readers can easily apply to their own career.
The Black Swan
by Anne BattersonSet against a spontaneous cross-country road trip following the migrating birds, this passionate, lyrical memoir is one woman's reflections on midlife, her important personal relationships, her kaleidoscopic past, and her uncertain future. To fifty-six-year-old Anne Batterson, a woman whose life has been filled with adventure -- as a commercial pilot, an international skydiving champion, a trekking guide in Nepal -- her husband's decision to retire felt like a death sentence. Yearning for some way to reconcile herself to the future that was rapidly unfolding before her, she packed up her VW camper and hit the road with maps, bird guides, and little else except the desire to follow the fall migration and the bone-deep hunch that birds had something important to teach her. In this beautifully written narrative of that extraordinary trip, Batterson writes movingly not only about her experiences with the birds but also about the people she loves, has lost, and connects with along the way. Events from the present trigger vivid stories from the past. In the chapter "The Journey Within the Journey," a long, lonely night in a deserted campground in Virginia conjures up the ghosts of a desperate solo road trip she made when she was twenty-one. A towering cumulus cloud in Illinois brings back a breathtaking free fall into a similar cloud in "My Time as a Bird. " An encounter with a great blue heron summons a compelling account of her mother's last afternoon in the world. "Bears in the Woods" describes a run-in with twoDeliverance-type men in West Virginia, which brings back the murder of a dear friend in the woods of Connecticut. By the end of the journey, the ghosts of the past, like the author herself, have become part of a more fluid, more spiritual reality -- wild and spare and elegant and timeless -- one that is always out there, "quickening on the far side of reality. "A unique mix of memoir and nature writing,The Black Swanis a charming story of a woman's odyssey.