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Original Essays | December 12, 2009

Alexander McCall Smith: IMG The Courage of Others

0 comments By Alexander McCall Smith

I have recently written a novel about life in England during the Second World War. I felt some concern before I tackled this theme — the War... Continue »
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    La's Orchestra Saves the World

    Alexander McCall Smith
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Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things

by Charles Panati

Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things Cover

ISBN13: 9780060964191
ISBN10: 0060964197
Condition: Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

For lovers of facts, students of popular culture, history buffs, and science enthusiasts, the foremost specialist on everything tells how and why hundreds of the everyday items, expressions, and customs we take for granted came into existence. Learn the fascinating discovery stories behind over 500 phenomena, including:
  • how chewing gum and Silly Putty began as substitutes for rubber
  • how a socialite invented the dishwasher because of servants too frequently broke her expensive china
  • Why April Fool's Day started out as New Year's Eve, a joke in itself
  • how the zipper was one man's attempt to make obsolete not buttons...but shoelaces
  • how the hot dog began as an outlawed Roman sausage and received its name at a New York baseball game
And many, many more in this carefully organized, delicious compendium of little-known facts — guaranteed to amaze, absorb, amuse, and delight.

Review:

"Crammed with uncommon stories..." Washington Times

Review:

"It fairly cries out to be in the library..." San Diego Tribune

Review:

"A wonderfully browsable compendium." Philadelphia Inquirer

Review:

"A book of fascinating lore." United Press International
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780060964191
Author:
Panati, Charles
Publisher:
Harper Paperbacks
Author:
by Charles Panati
Location:
New York :
Subject:
General
Subject:
Fiction
Subject:
Trivia
Subject:
Encyclopedias and dictionaries
Subject:
Popular Culture
Subject:
Encyclopedias
Subject:
Curiosities & Wonders
Subject:
Curiosities and wonders
Subject:
General Reference
Subject:
Popular culture -- History.
Copyright:
c198
Series Volume:
no. 211
Publication Date:
September 1989
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Yes
Pages:
480
Dimensions:
9.42x6.12x1.26 in. 1.14 lbs.
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