Synopses & Reviews
From Oliver Twist and Great Expectations to A Christmas Carol and A Tale of Two Cities, the novels of Charles Dickens are among the best loved and most adapted in English literature. This charming and informative little gift book asks why, what, where, how, and who the Dickens was Charles Dickens? Why did he keep a pet raven that pecked at his childrenand#39;s shins? Why did he have a tunnel built under the road in front of his country house? Find out the answers to these and more questions, learn about his work and his most passionate social causes, and enjoy quirky stories and fascinating trivia about this singularly complex man and consummate artist.
Synopsis
From what escaping passengers tried to take to whether we'll ever succeed in raising the wreck, this Very Peculiar History commemorates the Titanic. It delves into the human stories of this tragedy, along with background on the ship's incredible engineering and design. A color insert contains a guide to the Titanic's decks, personal letters, and an in-depth look at the disaster.
Synopsis
From traditional dances and dishes to words of wit and wisdom, Ireland A Very Peculiar History takes a lively look at the Emerald Isle. Starting with the earliest inhabitants, it celebrates the country s cultural achievements and colorful history, and recounts the turbulent political events that have helped shape today s Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. A timeline, background on Celtic names, and a recipe round out this fascinating little book."
Synopsis
Fill a glass and pore through this quirky portrait of whisky, from its humble origins and use as a medicine till today, when it takes pride of place in the liquor cabinet. Featuring tales of whisky's development through the ages along with stories about its powerful effect on drinkers, it delivers a warm aftertaste of hilarity with every shot of fact.
Synopsis
Which king's guards massacred his supporters by mistake? Who had an oversized tongue and slobbered when he ate? Who survived seven assassination attempts? It wasn't all thrones and scepters for British monarchs. Some were batty, others vicious, and some became much-loved icons. Meet these rulers, discover their bizarre habits, and enjoy quirky stories, fascinating facts, and fun lists.
Synopsis
Explore the history of man's best friend and its relationship with humankind. Featuring chapters on dog origins and evolution, dog anatomical oddities, different dog species and breeds, and much more, this informative little book is a dog lover's delight.
Synopsis
Is it true that Shakespeareand#39;s father couldnand#39;t read or write? What really happened during his andquot;Lost Years?andquot; Why did he retire from writing while only in his early 40s? William Shakespeare: A Very Peculiar History explores the life and work of the man generally considered the greatest writer in the English language. By dispelling common myths and revealing fascinating trivia, and briefly examining all his major plays, this little gift book attempts to answer many of the often-disputed questions about the Bard.
Synopsis
Loved and worshipped, praised and admired, hated and feared: more than any other domesticated creature, cats provoke extremes of feeling, and this Peculiar History title reveals why. Feline fans will love the information on cat origins, cat biology, cats in different cultures, cats as pets, cat characters, and more.
Synopsis
Although golf today has a dash of high society about it, that wasn't always the case. Golf: A Very Peculiar History traces the sport from its earliest ball-in-hole games and male-only origins right up to the scandals that rock its current celebrities and tournaments-with a few mulligans in between.
Synopsis
One of the world's greatest cities comes to life in this engaging little book. London: A Very Peculiar Historyand#8482; takes a tour of iconic eras and landmarks, while also presenting lesser-known attractions and trivia. You'll find curious recipes for cockney delicacies, descriptions ofand#160; and#8220;lost buildings,and#8221; and lists of royal residences, famous markets, classic film scenes, and more. Humorous cartoon-style illustrations with amusing captions and speech bubbles round out this irresistible London visit.
Synopsis
Packed with fascinating facts, quirky trivia, and mind-boggling statistics, Fishing examines one of the world's most ancient and popular pastimes. Rob Beattie tackles everything from fishing techniques to brave fishing adventures, from the history of fish and chips to what the well-dressed angler is wearing.
Synopsis
From A Christmas Carol to Great Expectations, the novels of Charles Dickens are among the most loved in English literature. This charming, informative little book asks, who the Dickens was Charles Dickens? Find out some of the quirkiest facts about Dickensand#39;s life, learn about his work and his favorite social causes, and enjoy fascinating trivia about this complex man and consummate artist.
About the Author
Rob Beattie has written 11 books on subjects as varied as computers, fishing, camping, boating, traditional DIY, and making movies. He's also written thousands of articles for magazines and newspapers on computer software, the Internet, music, film and general entertainment.