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This is the hidden history of an invention that we use every day but seldom dare to speak of. In medieval China it was cutting-edge technology. For 19th-century Americans it was a newfangled alternative to dried corncobs and the Sears & Roebuck catalogue. Wits in Georgian London preferred pages of bad poetry. The sages of ancient Athens were content to wield the xylospongion instead. It's the tale of toilet paper; the biography of bumfodder. From its origins at the Imperial court of Emperor Hongwu to its reinvention as a quack remedy for haemorrhoids in 1870s New York city; from the Dutch and their mussel-shells to Henry VIII and his Groom of the Stool; from Madame de Prie's pioneering bidet to the space-age Washlet; from leaf-wielding chimpanzees to Mr Thirsty Fiber and the world's first three-adjective loo-roll - it's a story of necessity and invention, luxury and squalor, experiment and tradition. What does a submarine crew do when it runs out of toilet paper? Who stole the Pope's loo-roll? Does printer's ink cause piles? How do you fold a sheet of toilet paper in half more than seven times? What did'bumphleteers'do, and why? Richard Smyth answers the questions you never thought to ask about the product we can't live without.

All in perfectly bad tastePrepare to be amazed, appalled, disgusted, and hugely entertained by this compendium of indelicate oddities. Nothing is too inane, too insane, too bizarre, or too distasteful for this incredible, seemingly impossible, but absolutely true collection of facts from across the ages and around the world.Did you know……that Pope Benedict XII was such a hardened boozer that he inspired the expression “drunk as a pope”? (From “10 Historic Drunks”)…that as a special honeymoon treat, Prince Charles read Princess Diana passages from the works of Carl Jung and Laurens van der Post? (From “History's 10 Least Romantic Honeymoons”)…that the best-dressed gentlemen in medieval England exposed their genitals below a short-fitting tunic? (From “History's 10 Greatest Fashion Mistakes”)…that Alfred Hitchcock suffered from ovophobia—fear of eggs? (From “10 Phobias of the Famous”)…that King Louis XIV only took three baths in his lifetime, each of them under protest?(From “10 Great Unwashed”)…that in 1930, Sears customers became enraged when the catalog was first printed on glossy, non-absorbent paper?(From “12 Magical Moments in Toilet Paper History”)

Every day is strange if you know your history.This illustrated daily trivia almanac explores a bizarre moment through the ages for each day of the year, such as:The odiferous debut of Smell-o-Vision (January 12, 1960)The execution of Oliver Cromwell, more than two years after his death (January 30, 1661)The day the first pig actually flew (November 4, 1909)That time the United States ran out of toilet paper (December 19, 1973)Drawing on a range of subjects including politics, sports, the arts, pop culture, and more, each What the... fact offers daily or dip-in-and-out diversion, and an opportunity to learn something new and stranger every day.

Bite-sized bits of information to give you the edge on trivia night—from crime and punishment to the rich and famous to ghosts, ghouls, oddballs, and more! Packed with more than 400 pages, Uncle John's Bathroom Reader: Attack of the Factoids is a fact-a-palooza of obscure information. Like what, you ask? Here are just a few extraordinary examples:• Bats always turn left when they exit a cave.• In the 1960s, astronauts trained for moon voyages by walking on Hawaiian lava fields.• Lloyd's of London insured Bruce Springsteen's voice for 3.5 million English pounds.• Physician Amynthas of Alexandria, Greece, performed the first known nose job in the Third Century B.C.• Military toilet paper is printed in a camouflage design, since white could attract enemy fire.• Elvis Presley always wore a helmet when watching football on TV.• King Henry VIII's ladies at court had a ration of one gallon of beer per day.• It takes the energy from fifty leaves on an apple tree to produce one ripe fruit.• The only country to host the Summer Olympics but not win a single gold medal was Canada, in 1976. And that's just the beginning! So what are you waiting for? Attack!

From electric cars to recycling to organic food--it's all here! Uncle John puts a green spin on its fun facts, figures and trademark trivia.Only Uncle John could make the Green Movement this much fun! This timely edition takes an even-handed look at the trials and tribulations (and downright goofiness) of environmentalism. You'll learn how landfills operate, where plastic goes to die, how to understand food labels, how to save some green around the house, and the lowdown on all the alternative forms of energy currently being bandied about (even beer power). And we cover the really important stuff, such as: Who has the bigger carbon footprint--Fred Flintstone or George Jetson? And lots more, including… • Lady Bird Johnson's quest for a prettier nation • Whatever happened to the electric car?• Paper vs. plastic: A fight to the death• Not-so-green Hollywood movies• The true meaning of “organic”• Ancient environmentalists• Living on an Amish farm• NOISE POLLUTION!• Animals that recycle• The power of poo And much, much more!

TUNE IN. TURN ON. GEEK OUT.Sorry, beautiful people. These days, from government to business to technology to Hollywood, geeks rule the world. Finally, here's the book no self-respecting geek can live without–a guide jam-packed with 314.1516 short entries both useful and fun. Science, pop-culture trivia, paper airplanes, and pure geekish nostalgia coexist as happily in these pages as they do in their natural habitat of the geek brain.In short, dear geek, here you'll find everything you need to achieve nirvana. And here, for you pathetic nongeeks, is the last chance to save yourselves: Love this book, live this book, and you too can join us in the experience of total world domination. • become a sudoku god• brew your own beer• build a laser beam• classify all living things• clone your pet• exorcise demons• find the world's best corn mazes• grasp the theory of relativity• have sex on Second Life• injure a fish• join the Knights Templar• kick ass with sweet martial-arts moves• learn ludicrous emoticons• master the Ocarina of Time• pimp your cubicle• program a remote control• quote He-Man and Che Guevara• solve fiendish logic puzzles• touch Carl Sagan • unmask Linus Torvalds• visit Beaver Lick, Kentucky• win bar bets• write your name in ElvishJoin us or die, you will.Begun, the Geek Wars have

From the creators of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Book of Useless Information-a collection of even greater insignificance.More useless than ever before! Impress know-it-all friends with this all-new hodgepodge of frivolous facts and silly statistics that no one really needs to know. But honestly, how cool is it to find out that...? There is a place in Maryland called Monkey's Eyebrow? Giving yellow flowers is a sign of bad luck in Russia? One brow wrinkle is the result of 200,000 frowns? Paper can be made from asparagus This is the book that will also tell you...? The meaning of'mageirocophobia'? Where it is illegal to kill a butterfly? Huckleberry Finn's remedy for warts? What bodily fluid the Romans used as a hair treatment And much, much more!

“All at once funny, touching, dazzlingly informative and fascinating, brilliantly imaginative and altogether wonderful. Capable of switching between divine silliness and genuinely tender sweetness, tragedy, and wonder.”—STEPHEN FRYHistory belongs to the heroes. But to get the full story, sometimes you have to ask the side characters. The lives of Leonardo da Vinci, Henry VIII, and Queen Victoria fill bookshelves and fascinate scholars all over the world. But little attention is given to the ferret who posed for the Renaissance master, the servant who oversaw the Tudor's toilet time, or the famous horse who thrilled the miserable old monarch. These supporting cast members have been waiting in the wings for too long, and Adrian Bliss thinks it's high time they join their glory-hogging contemporaries in the spotlight. Fortunately—thanks to some recently discovered ancient complaint letters, court transcripts, and memoirs in bottles—now they can. Equal parts fascinating and hilarious, The Greatest Nobodies of History is a surreal love letter to life's forgotten heroes, featuring hitherto undocumented accounts from Ancient Greece to the front lines of the Great Emu War. All that follows really happened, and some of it could even be true.

Put your Christmas-movie expertise to the test with nearly 500 trivia questions, accompanied by entertaining illustrations capturing your favorite holiday-film moments.Quiz yourself or compete with your friends! With challenging questions from over 180 of the greatest Christmas movies in film history, Christmas Movie Ultimate Trivia Book is the perfect way to show off your knowledge and prove your superfan status. Filled with captivating illustrations and photos that transport you back to the thrill of your first viewing, this delightful book allows you to relive your favorite holiday-film moments whenever the mood strikes.Covering Love Actually, Home Alone, Die Hard, The Santa Clause, ELF, and more…Christmas Movie Ultimate Trivia Book brings the movies to life with copious facts on your favorite actors, actresses, their lives on and off camera, and so much more. Perfect for your coffee table or as a gift, to enjoy solo or in a group, this beautifully designed book includes: Hundreds of questions to test your Christmas-movie knowledgeMultiple choice, true/false, and matching quizzes Illustrations of the most memorable moments from holiday-film historyA rating system and a scoring sheet to determine just how much of a fan you really areWhether you're just getting into the holiday genre or you've been a superfan of Christmas movies for years, Christmas Movie Ultimate Trivia Book will uplift and amuse you with its quizzes, interesting facts, captivating illustrations, and exclusive content. So test your Christmas-movie knowledge and become the ultimate superfan!

Turkeys used to be worshipped as gods? Bull$#•t! Prove you are the smartest schmuck in the room with 500 world history facts that sound too absurd to be true.Knowledge is power! Crush the competition at trivia night or start the most interesting conversation ever with real facts that are hard to believe. This book is loaded with mind-blowing facts that are sure to keep you wondering,'How are these even true?'while equipping you to outsmart everyone in the room. Including:Turkeys were once worshipped as gods by the Mayans.Forks were seen as sacrilegious in 11th century Italy.Pope Gregory IV once declared a war on cats.President Abraham Lincoln is in the Wrestling Hall of Fame.The longest war in history lasted from 1651 to 1986, between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly. There were no casualties.Put your game face on and prove once and for all that you are the real history know-it-all! Gather your friends and family'round and get ready to learn some crazy trivia they definitely didn't teach you in history class.

Did you know Thomas Edison proposed to his wife in Morse code? Or that the CIA considered covering Castro's shoes in thallium to get rid of his iconic beard? The strange facts and foibles of history's famous figures are divulged in Famous Freaks. The book is a fun, bite sized compendium of the weird and unbelievable. Big names—small disclosures. Important historical data—little to none. This book can be picked up and read anywhere, from any starting point. Skim a section or just peruse a page, but you may find yourself hooked after reading a few of the hilariously strange entries inside. Deborah Warren, whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and The Paris Review, deals out the strange facts of history's famous with a poetic style and a sense of humor. The collected details, those which history might rather have forgotten, are given their place in the spotlight. Start from the front, but if it's not your thing, flip around the pages. There are plenty of Famous Freaks inside.

Learn some amazing truths about sports, science, history, and more with this interactive trivia book asking you to spot the lie—perfect for a personal challenge or group game night!Was Cleopatra the last Egyptian pharaoh? Can you really make diamonds out of tequila? Is the platypus actually poisonous? Think you can spot the fake? Get your bullsh•t radar warmed up, because each entry in Spot the Bullsh•t hides one well-crafted fib among a pair of unbelievable truths. And it's up to you to figure out what's fascinating and what's full of sh•t in science, history, pop culture and more. A flip of the page reveals whether you're right or wrong as well as more information on the true trivia—and why you might have fallen for the fake fact. Whether you're in the mood to learn some fun facts or challenge your friends in a game of trivia, this book has you covered.

Ever wondered why we yawn and have eyebrows, what happens at absolute zero and why some tunes get stuck in our heads? If you've spent your days searching for the answers to these and life's other big questions then look no further. Yawns Freeze Your Brain from the bestselling author of Does Anything Eat Wasps and Farts Aren't Invisible is the gift of enlightenment that you never knew you needed! Shining a light on some of life's trickiest questions across science, history, life and the universe. Uncover the mysteries woven into the fabric of our very existence with answers to questions such as; How much fuel does the sun burn in a second? What are the most misheard song lyrics? Why does cheese smell? Why is the Eiffel Tower 15cm taller in summer than winter? Who on earth invented existentialism (and what is it)? Increase your IQ and win pub quizzes with this perfect blend of wit, wisdom and wonder. The perfect gift for brainiacs.

Entertaining, informative, and enlightening! Educational, eyebrow-raising, and profound. Science has never been this much fun! Take a weird and wonderful tour of the every branch of science with this treat of stories, trivia, and facts! From Earth's weight gain thanks to the many tons of cosmic dust that falls on the planet each year to William A. Mitchell, the inventor of Tang, Cool Whip, and Pop Rocks candy, The Book of Facts and Trivia: Science combines the educational, profound, and trivial into a fascinating collection of science facts! You'll learn about yourself and the world through hundreds of absorbing stories and interesting tidbits such as … Kissing burns up to six calories per minute. One teaspoon of neuron star weighs about 10 million tons. There are more than 2 million ants for every single person on Earth. That's approximately 20 quadrillion ants! Neanderthals and Homo sapiens first mated tens of thousands of years ago. Under the right conditions, some dogs – the super-scenters – can smell you some 12 miles away. Nine out of 10 mothers of newborns, after having spent as little as 10 minutes with their babies, can identify their infant by smell. The body of Marie Curie (1867-1934), the physicist who discovered radium, is still radioactive. The first multiplication tables were used around 2000 B.C.E. by the Babylonians. Star Trek characters used devices that looked and acted quite a bit like cell phones—well before the technology came to market. Touchscreen computers too. And many more science facts! An absorbing guide to science answers, The Book of Facts and Trivia will treat you to a smorgasbord of stories, trivia, and facts!

Will Ewen and Cat's Wee Book of Aye or Naw change your life? NAW. But will it make you instantly more interesting to other humans? OH AYE!Not your typical quiz book. Ewen and Cat's Wee Book of Aye or Naw is a rollicking adventure through 500 quiz questions that promise to test your knowledge on EVERYTHING! This book of brain teasers for adults is an exploration into the hilarious behind-the-scenes moments and puzzling brain busters that characterize the UK award-winning radio show Ewen and Cat at Breakfast.Perfect blend of fun facts and trivia. Packed with true or false questions like'Usain Bolt would beat a cat over 100m,'and'A jiffy is a real unit of time,'or'Volkswagen sells more sausages than cars,'readers are in for a treat. This book transcends the traditional quiz questions book by emphasizing the joy of finding new facts and connection to other people through shared knowledge. It's not just about testing your memory; it's about the pleasure of discovering fascinating facts and engaging in lively conversations with others.Inside:Be bemused and amused as you dive into a journey of daily funTackle exciting true or false questions on your quest for new knowledgeFind compelling reasons to share this quiz questions book with friends and familyIf you are seeking a book of quiz questions such as Awesome Facts That Will Make You Look Super Smart, Trivia for Seniors, or So You Think You Know Baseball then Ewen and Cat's Wee Book of Aye or Naw is for you!

This 37th annual Bathroom Reader from Uncle John and his team is filled with highly entertaining and informative articles that will keep you on the edge of your seat.Uncle John's Action-Packed Bathroom Reader will take longtime fans and new readers alike on a whirlwind world tour with stories that explore the realms of pop culture, history, sports, and science—plus new exploits of dumb crooks that will make you wonder “What were they thinking?” For this 37th annual edition, Uncle John and his team at the Bathroom Readers'Institute have explored lands near and far to bring you this collection of entertaining and informative articles that include short reads for a quick trip to the throne room as well as longer page-turners for extended visits. Also included are plenty of amusing lists, factoids, quotes, and quizzes that will fill your head with all sorts of odd trivia that you can use to amaze your friends.

Get ready to be bamboozled by nature's most bizarre, hilarious, and utterly astonishing secrets that will make you say,'Bull$#•t!'Say hello to the astonishing natural world with this mind-boggling collection of downright unbelievable facts that will have you doing double-takes at every turn. This captivating compendium is your ticket to exploring the wackiest secrets Mother Nature has up her sleeve. From the outrageous mating rituals of exotic creatures to the perplexing phenomena of Earth's wildest landscapes, True Facts That Sound Like Bull$#•t: Nature covers a vast array of topics that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about our planet. Each fact has been researched and verified, ensuring that even the most skeptical readers will be left in awe. Perfect for trivia buffs, nature enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a good laugh, this engaging and entertaining book is an incredible addition to your library.Inside you'll find facts like:The world's largest living organism is a mushroom that covers over 2,200 acres in Oregon.A single mature oak tree can drop up to 200,000 leaves in the fall.As a defense mechanism, some sea cucumbers expel their internal organs along with a toxic substance to deter predators. They can regenerate the lost organs within a few weeks.The tongue of a blue whale can weigh as much as an elephant.Vultures have stomach acid so strong that it can dissolve metal and kill harmful bacteria found in their carrion meals.Buckle up and prepare for a wild ride through the most fascinating, outlandish, and utterly mind-blowing corners of the natural world. You'll never look at nature the same way again!

Entertaining, informative, and fun. Educational, trivial, and profound. Astonishing, amazing, and surprising. That's history! Take a weird and wonderful tour of American history with this treat of stories, trivia, and facts! From Juan Ponce de León to John Wayne to Jane Doe to the little-known stories hidden inside bigger historical events, The Book of Facts and Trivia: American History combines the educational, profound, and trivial into a rich account of American history facts (and the interesting role Johns—and Juans and Janes—played along the way)! You'll learn about the United States through hundreds of absorbing stories and interesting tidbits such as … Our sixth president, John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), had a pet alligator while in the White House. Graceland, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is America's second-most visited home. The first is Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. In 1970, Continental Airlines made it a policy that every disembarking male passenger got a kiss on the cheek from a stewardess. Twenty to twenty-five percent of cowboys in the mid-1800s were black. The first public service announcement meant to encourage Americans not to litter appeared in 1956. Washington is the most common city/town/village name in America, followed by Springfield and Franklin. Actor Jack Black's mother was a satellite engineer and author who worked on the Hubble Telescope. Most of the Continental Congress officially signed the Declaration of Independence on July 2, 1776 (not July 4!). The Food Marketing Institute estimates that some two million shopping carts are stolen each year. Kansas City, Missouri, leads the nation in the number of fountains inside its city limits. The Statue of Liberty is 305 feet tall with a waist that's 35 feet across. And many more American history facts! An absorbing guide to history, The Book of Facts and Trivia is a treat of stories, facts, and trivia guaranteed to both inform and entertain. It's a feast of fun oddities that are delightfully eye-opening!

Put your Vanderpump Rules expertise to the test with over 500 hundred questions, and bonus trivia, all accompanied by hilarious illustrations capturing your favorite moments. A true love letter to the Vanderpump Rules franchise, The Unofficial Vanderpump Rules Ultimate Trivia Book is the perfect way to show off your knowledge and prove your superfan status. With questions about individual scenes, episodes, and reunions, the fun never ends with these over-the-top stars.The Unofficial Vanderpump Rules Ultimate Trivia Book brings the gossip to your home from your favorite TV personalities, their on-screen and off-screen lives, and so much more. Perfect for your coffee table or as a gift, to enjoy solo or in a group, this beautifully designed book includes: Hundreds of questions to test your Vanderpump Rules knowledge “Bonus Footage” sidebars Multiple choice, true/false, and matching quizzes on trivia from all 10 seasons, including Scandoval Illustrations of the most memorable moments throughout the franchise A rating system and a scoring sheet to determine just how much of a fan you really are Test your Vanderpump Rules knowledge and become the ultimate superfan!

Dive into the captivating world of British history shows with Fingers on Buzzers.Whether you're a Pointless armchair aficionado, nostalgic for the days of Going for Gold, or a bona fide Mastermind, this funny trivia book is perfect for you!British history through quizzes. Authored by Lucy Porter and Jenny Ryan, the dynamic duo behind the popular podcast'Fingers on Buzzers,'this funny trivia book takes readers on a kaleidoscopic journey through the history of British quiz shows. From the early days of TV quizzes to the contemporary pub quiz craze, Fingers on Buzzers is packed with fun trivia, pop quizzes for the whole family, and fascinating insights on great Britain.Dive into British History. Fingers on Buzzers features exclusive contributions from quiz legends such as James Harkin from QI, Roger Tilling, the voice of University Challenge, and big names like Richard Osman and the hosts of No Such Thing as a Fish. The book also includes insights from behind the scenes of your favorite TV quiz shows, making it a treasure trove for trivia lovers and the perfect present for history buffs.Inside, you'll find:An interactive and nostalgic celebration of the UK's beloved quiz culture.A timeless comprehensive guide to the Great British quiz.A perfect blend of entertainment and education in a book filled with important events in history and trivia.If you liked What If? 2, The Very British Problems Quiz Book, or The Story Behind, you'll love Fingers on Buzzers.

A compendium of fantastical facts and essential knowledge for all ages, covering every subject on earth (and beyond), including geography, space, history, the ocean, animals, food, and the human body, from Tiktok star MJC Matthew.Did you know that the reason you can never find the end of a rainbow is because they are actually full circles? Or that our fingers shrivel up when they get wet because our bodies are adapting to give us a better grip in the water?If these pique your interest then ready yourself for a whole host of interesting tidbits touching on geography, space, history, and animals, as well as a special section on little-known survival knowledge that one day just might save your life!This fascinating and hilarious trivia guide will also cover answers to key questions such as:Are we all related?What is more dangerous: a koala or a crocodile?Did the pope cause the Black Death?Why was New York once known as New Orange?Should you use spiderwebs as a bandage?How much bamboo would it take to cover the Taj Mahal?

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!An ode to triangles, the shape that makes our lives possible Trigonometry is perhaps the most essential concept humans have ever devised. The simple yet versatile triangle allows us to record music, map the world, launch rockets into space, and be slightly less bad at pool. Triangles underpin our day-to-day lives and civilization as we know it. In Love Triangle, Matt Parker argues we should all show a lot more love for triangles, along with all the useful trigonometry and geometry they enable. To prove his point, he uses triangles to create his own digital avatar, survive a harrowing motorcycle ride, cut a sandwich, fall in love, measure tall buildings in a few awkward bounds, and make some unusual art. Along the way, he tells extraordinary and entertaining stories of the mathematicians, engineers, and philosophers—starting with Pythagoras—who dared to take triangles seriously. This is the guide you should have had in high school—a lively and definitive answer to “Why do I need to learn about trigonometry?” Parker reveals triangles as the hidden pattern beneath the surface of the contemporary world. Like love, triangles actually are all around. And in the air. And they're all you need.

American Mensa presents: The Brilliant Bathroom Reader—The ultimate book of 5,000 facts curated by the world's smartest brand. Perfect to expand any curious mind! Whether gearing up for a big trivia night or simply wanting to give your brain something interesting to think about, this big book of 5,000 facts from the smartest brand in the world fits the bill. These facts will make you think. They'll make you wonder. You may even want to research more about some of these topics. Most of all, you'll have a ton of fun learning about everything from Thomas Edison's attempts at mind reading to Dr. Lucy King's beehive fences that scare elephants from destroying farms. We cover as many topics as possible, including facts that got our attention while weeding out the stuff that made us yawn or go, “Yeah, yeah, I've heard that one a million times.” Topics include: Flora, Fauna, and FungaScience and TechnologyWorld CultureHistory US PresidentsNational ParksArt, Fashion, and LiteratureArchitectureHealthComicsMusic and EntertainmentSports and LeisureBizarre but TrueThe Brilliant Bathroom Reader is the perfect gift for learning new and exciting facts whenever you have a spare moment or two.

COMING SOON - The perfect companion to Fart's Aren't Invisible! Read the newest fun and interesting fact book from Mick O'Hare, Yawns Freeze Your Brain. Includes quick fire fact sections designed to astound, enlighten and make you laugh. Available to PRE-ORDER NOW in paperback and ebook - out 10th October 2024. A mind-bending, brain-expanding cornucopia of facts for curious minds from the bestselling author of Why Don't Penguins'Feet Freeze? and Does Anything Eat Wasps? Own the room with this hilarious collection of fact-tastic myth-busters and jaw-dropping trivia exploring science, history, sport and lesser-known facts from across the universe. Did you know that the Moon has a Bishop? That ostriches DON'T bury their heads in the sand? And that powdered rice was used as cement in the Great Wall of China? What do souls weigh? What can't 60% of the human population smell? And what on earth is rhinotillexomania? And the big one...are farts actually invisible? The answers to these questions are all here. Challenge your brain, turn your world upside down and relish the irresistible mix of wit and wisdom. It's also a perfect gift for the brainiac in your life.

Uncle John is back with the 36th annual Bathroom Reader, an all-new collection of entertaining articles that explore the weird and wonderful world we live in.In this 36th edition of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader, longtime fans and new readers alike will be astounded by a treasure trove of wonderfully weird (and true!) stories that explore the realms of pop culture, history, sports, science, and everyday folks, including the always popular misadventures of dumb crooks. Uncle John and his team at the Bathroom Readers'Institute have reached into all corners of the world to bring you this all-new collection of entertaining and informative articles that include short reads for a quick trip to the throne room as well as longer page-turners for when you take an extended visit. You'll also find a plethora of amusing lists, odd factoids, quotes, and quizzes that will tickle every trivia enthusiast's fancy.

Leah Elson draws upon her wildly popular web series, 60 Seconds of Science, in this highly entertaining and visually appealing giftable book of real-world scientific questions and answers. How does DNA work?Does chicken noodle soup actually help with being sick?When cats purr, what is actually making the noise?Does singing to plants really help them grow?Is it possible to clone a woolly mammoth? In the vein of Randall Munroe's What If? and perfect for readers of Neil deGrasse Tyson's Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, Leah Elson's There Are No Stupid Questions … in Science covers biology, chemistry, physics, human physiology, and space—providing easy-to-understand, delightfully cheeky answers to over one hundred common questions, from the age-old, to the ridiculous, to the sublime. “Science can be wonderfully silly, occasionally bizarre, but always awe-inspiring.”—Leah Elson

Prove you are the smartest schmuck in the room with 500 true trivia facts that sound absurd. These facts are so absurd some might even say that they sound like bull$#•t!Knowledge is power! Crush the competition at trivia night, or start the most interesting conversation ever with real facts that are hard to believe. This book is loaded with mind-blowing facts that are sure to keep you wondering,'How are these even true?'while equipping you to outsmart everyone around and blow their minds. Topics include:ScienceAmerican SportsHistoryPop CultureNaturePut your game face on, and prove once and for all that you are the real know-it-all! Gather your friends and family'round and get ready to learn some wild and crazy trivia and facts such as:True or False? A chicken once survived almost two years after having its head cut off.True or False? The dog that played Toto in The Wizard of Oz was paid a salary.How many baseballs does the MLB use every season?What state has jousting as its official sport?True or False? Most Canadians live south of Seattle.Stump everyone with True Facts That Sound Like Bull$#•t!

Science is so f•cking rad. We don't deserve it.What actually is quantum physics? If you can answer that questions without bullsh•tting the person standing next to you in the bookstore, you can stop reading right now. But although most of us don't actually understand quantum physics, we know that it's mystical and awesome, and if we understood it we'd probably be rich and beautiful and happy, right? After all, there are plenty of people out there trying to sell you quantum crystals to align your quantum energy with your quantum destiny. Can they all be wrong?Spoiler: yes. Yes, they can. There is no such thing as quantum crystals. Sorry!Luckily, as pseudo-science takes over the internet and it's getting harder and harder to separate alternative facts from real science, Chris Ferrie (an actual quantum physicist!) is here to explain quantum physics in a way that makes sense, so you can see the hucksters and bullsh•tters coming from a mile away—and school them in what quantum entanglement actually is (it has nothing to do with your romantic life). If you f•cking love science and want to be slightly less dumb than you were when you woke up this morning, Quantum Bullsh•t is the truly out-of-this-world book for you.

A detailed guide to surviving history's most challenging threats, from outrunning dinosaurs to making it off the Titanic aliveHistory is the most dangerous place on earth. From dinosaurs the size of locomotives to meteors big enough to sterilize the planet, from famines to pandemics, from tornadoes to the Chicxulub asteroid, the odds of human survival are slim but not zero—at least, not if you know where to go and what to do.In each chapter of How to Survive History, Cody Cassidy explores how to survive one of history's greatest threats: getting eaten by dinosaurs, being destroyed by the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs, succumbing to the lava flows of Pompeii, being devoured by the Donner Party, drowning during the sinking of the Titanic, falling prey to the Black Death, and more. Using hindsight and modern science to estimate everything from how fast you'd need to run to outpace a T. rex to the advantages of different body types in surviving the Donner Party tragedy, Cassidy gives you a detailed battle plan for survival, helping you learn about the era at the same time.History may be the most dangerous place on earth, but that doesn't mean you can't visit. You can, and you should. And with a copy of How to Survive History in your back pocket, you just might make it out alive.

A mind-bending collection of 70 puzzles from the New Scientist published in book form for the first time. You'll find puzzles and problems drawn from real-life situations, games with intriguing strategies, and puzzles with such creative and whimsical storylines that they need to be explained to be believed.With the solutions you'll read the untold back stories behind the puzzles, and a fascinating exploration of related puzzles and mathematical ideas. You'll learn why a particular puzzle adaptation involved talking to an expert in sheep genetics and more outside-the-box solutions to apparently straightforward challenges. This book is a must for any lover of puzzles or recreational mathematics.

Sprinkle Some Festive Cheer on Your Trivia Game! Deck the halls with... facts? Absolutely! Jenny Kellett, the queen of trivia, is back with the Christmas edition of her bestselling'The HUGE Book of Amazing Facts & Interesting Stuff.'Packed fuller than a Christmas stocking, this edition features over 700 festive trivia facts that will jingle all the way into your brain. Bursting with the kind of humor that could rival any Christmas cracker joke, this collection is perfect for spreading holiday cheer to the whole family. Sneak a Peek Under the Tree • According to Statistics Canada, 3.5 million fruitcakes are sold annually in the country. Whether they are eaten or not remains a mystery. • The U.S. was fashionably late to the Christmas party, only making it a federal holiday in 1870. • Male reindeer shed their antlers in early December, while females keep theirs through the winter. So, technically, Rudolph would likely be female! • Irving Berlin, who penned “White Christmas,” was Jewish. Facts All Wrapped Up in Categories From'Christmas Around the World'to'The Economics of Christmas,'there's a chapter for everyone—even your awkward uncle. Perfect for Yuletide Fun Whether you're young or just young at heart, this is the ideal read for family gatherings by the fireplace. Amp up the holiday vibes and impress the in-laws or that one cousin who thinks they know everything. It's the season of giving, after all. Why not gift some festive knowledge with the most up-to-date Christmas trivia book around? Order your copy today and get ready to sleigh your next holiday trivia game!

EVERYTHING TO PLAY FOR - A NEW BOOK BY QI ELVES JAMES HARKIN AND ANNA PTASZYNSKI - IS AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER NOW •The perfect gift for the incurably curious• This edition includes all new, even more ingenious questions and answers! It was previously published in hardback as Funny You Should Ask... Again.'The best trivia book of the season.'THE SPECTATOR'Mind-blowing.'DAILY MAIL'Genuinely interesting.'POPULAR SCIENCE Which lottery numbers should I pick? Is it true that we are made entirely of stardust? Can dogs tell the time? Why do songs get stuck in my head? If Rome wasn't built in a day, how long did it take? Do plants make noises? Where is last Wednesday? These are just a few of the questions put to the QI Elves by the listeners of BBC Radio 2's The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. This book is a collection of their cracking, unexpected and frequently hilarious answers. Chock full with extra facts and illustrations from the Elves, 222 QI Answers to Your Quite Ingenious Questions will spark wonder and joy. Includes a foreword from Zoe Ball. ••• For more from the team behind QI's hit TV show check out the QI FACTS series of books, @qikipedia and listen to their weekly podcast at nosuchthingasafish.com or visit qi.com

How much do you know about Scottish history? We all know bits of it. This book by the authors of Scottish History: Strange but True sets out to show how these'bits'fit together – how the characters and events of Scottish history made the country of Scotland. We do not ponder'WHY?'we demand'HOW?'How was Scotland founded by refugees? How did the Vikings make Scotland happen? How did King David save Scotland AND give it away? How did Robert the Bruce forget Scottish history? How did a King of Scots declare war on Scotland? How did the Jacobites win every round, yet get smashed in the final – twice? How did Scotland embrace kilts and tartan after it banned them?

The 35th annual edition of Uncle John's compendium features entertaining, informative, and amusing real-life stories from around the world.This 35th anniversary edition of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader is bursting with everything you could possibly want to read in the throne room, including short articles for a quick trip and lengthier page-turners for an extended visit. Uncle John and his team at the Bathroom Readers'Institute have once again gathered the most entertaining and amusing stories from the realms of pop culture, history, science, and sports (not to mention accounts of even more dumb crooks!) for your reading pleasure. In addition, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud lists, amusing quotes, and odd factoids that will delight the most ardent of trivia fans.

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!An NPR Best Book of 2022'The questions throughout What If? 2 are equal parts brilliant, gross, and wonderfully absurd and the answers are thorough, deeply researched, and great fun.... Science isn't easy, but in Munroe's capable hands, it surely can be fun.'—TIMEThe #1 New York Times bestselling author of What If? and How To answers more of the weirdest questions you never thought to ask The millions of people around the world who read and loved What If? still have questions, and those questions are getting stranger. Thank goodness xkcd creator Randall Munroe is here to help. Planning to ride a fire pole from the Moon back to Earth? The hardest part is sticking the landing. Hoping to cool the atmosphere by opening everyone's freezer door at the same time? Maybe it's time for a brief introduction to thermodynamics. Want to know what would happen if you rode a helicopter blade, built a billion-story building, made a lava lamp out of lava, or jumped on a geyser as it erupted? Okay, if you insist.Before you go on a cosmic road trip, feed the residents of New York City to a T. rex, or fill every church with bananas, be sure to consult this practical guide for impractical ideas. Unfazed by absurdity, Munroe consults the latest research on everything from swing-set physics to airliner catapult–design to answer his readers'questions, clearly and concisely, with illuminating and occasionally terrifying illustrations. As he consistently demonstrates, you can learn a lot from examining how the world might work in very specific extreme circumstances.

A compendium of truly outrageous, surprising, and (sometimes) gross facts.Did you know that Big Bird was originally supposed to fly on the doomed Challenger Space Shuttle? Or that smelling your own farts was considered a cure for the bubonic plague? Now those are things you can't unlearn. Born out of love for trivia and hatred for boring, bland facts, Sh•t for Brains is the ultimate wild ride of truth—from hilarious pop culture factoids to little-known insights from history, this twisted trivia book will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even cringe. A great gift for tweens, teens, and your bar trivia pals, Sh•t for Brains is not-so-average trivia for not-so-average people.

Packed with compelling facts and trivia from all nine seasons, The Office Book of Lists breaks down the memorable series in a collection of 100+ easy-to-digest lists focusing on themes and characters in an irresistible package.Each entry in this comprehensive book celebrates another corner of The Office universe and offers new discoveries and facts concerning cherished characters and themes. From the most hilarious pranks played at Dunder Mifflin to Michael's best'That's What She Said'moments, each list will delight fans and remind them why The Office is one of the most popular comedy series of all time. Each list also helpfully indicates season and episode. Lists include: Michael's Inappropriate BehaviorSchrute Family History, Customs, and RitualsJim's PranksAngela's MoralsCreed ThoughtsAndy's Musical MomentsOffice RomancesChristmas Secret Santa GiftsField TripsKelly's CrushesAnd more!Including full-color photos and visuals throughout, The Office Book of Lists is an officially licensed must-have collector's item for the ultimate fan.The Office is a trademark and copyright of Universal Content Productions LLC. Licensed by Universal Studios 2020. All Rights Reserved.

NAMED A BEST NONFICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR BY ESQUIRE“Comic book fans will fall hard for this delightfully daffy guidebook.... Exuberant, optimistic, and just plain fun, How to Take Over the World will both surprise and delight.” —EsquireA book this informative should be a crime!Taking over the world is a lot of work. Any supervillain is bound to have questions: What's the perfect location for a floating secret base? What zany heist will fund my wildly ambitious plans? How do I control the weather, destroy the internet, and never, ever die? Bestselling author and award-winning comics writer Ryan North has the answers. In this introduction to the science of comic-book supervillainy, he details a number of outlandish villainous schemes that harness the potential of today's most advanced technologies. Picking up where How to Invent Everything left off, his explanations are as fun and elucidating as they are completely absurd. You don't have to be a criminal mastermind to share a supervillain's interest in cutting-edge science and technology. This book doesn't just reveal how to take over the world—it also shows how you could save it. This sly guide to some of the greatest threats facing humanity accessibly explores emerging techniques to extend human life spans, combat cyberterrorism, communicate across millennia, and finally make Jurassic Park a reality.

•The perfect gift for the incurably curious•'The best trivia book of the season.'THE SPECTATOR'Mind-blowing.'DAILY MAIL'Genuinely interesting.'POPULAR SCIENCE Which lottery numbers should I pick? Is it true that we are made entirely of stardust? Can dogs tell the time? Why do songs get stuck in my head? If Rome wasn't built in a day, how long did it take? Do plants make noises? Where is last Wednesday? These are just a few of the questions put to the QI Elves by the listeners of BBC Radio 2's The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. This book is a collection of their cracking, unexpected and frequently hilarious answers. Chock full with extra facts and illustrations from the Elves, 222 QI Answers to Your Quite Ingenious Questions will spark wonder and joy. Includes a foreword from Zoe Ball. ••• For more from the team behind QI's hit TV show check out the QI FACTS series of books, @qikipedia and listen to their weekly podcast at nosuchthingasafish.com or visit qi.com

Survive alongside Henry VIII's ill-fated wives with this witty book of essential life advice, history, and trivia—perfect for fans of the hit musical Six.Get the inside scoop from some of the toughest women in English history, as ex-wives, mothers, and daughters of King Henry VIII dish out all their survival secrets in this humorous guide to life. With a bit of sarcasm and friendly charm, each of these legendary ladies explains how their sixteenth-century hard-earned lessons (from living with unstable men to stifling Tudor traditions) apply to twenty-first-century dating, marriage, and feminism.Written from the perspectives of each of the different women around Henry VIII, you'll get the facts from the Queen Mother and the less-remembered but no less important Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and more.With must-know historical trivia alongside wise life advice, Don't Lose Your Head is the perfect survival guide for fans obsessed with Broadway's latest historical pop musical Six, as well as anyone fascinated by British royalty and culture.

Have You Ever Wondered How “The Simpsons” Predict the Future?“Did The Simpsons really, truly predict anything? I predict you'll have to purchase this book to get the true story.” ―Bill Oakley, Simpsons writer and producer#1 New Release in Animated Movies, Comedy Movies, and Comedy TelevisionThen, The Simpsons Secret is the book for you. Delve into some of the biggest predictions that came true on the show, and just how the Simpsons predict the future.Simpson predictions from three-eyed fish to presidential elections.'The Simpsons'has been predicting major events with scary accuracy for over three decades. From Donald Trump's presidency to Disney buying 20th Century Fox (...years before it happened!). People just can't seem to get enough and are eager to know what they are going to predict next. This book goes behind the scenes of this adored cartoon series, and the family we've grown to love. Between Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and the rest of the Simpsons family, the show has stolen our hearts, and also left us amazed at how often the Simpsons predict the future!So how do they do it? Is it a crystal ball? A fountain of knowledge? Have the writers gained the ability to travel through time? As shocking as it may seem, the answer is actually a little simpler than that. The cartoon crew is not in a secret society that can see the future, nor have they mastered the art of time travel.In The Simpsons Secret, learn more about:How The Simpsons are able to predict so many major eventsHow the show writers and producers come up with these ideasAnd so much more about your favorite old-school cartoon familyIf you enjoyed books like Springfield Confidential, The Simpsons Family History, Friends Forever, or The Office, you'll love The Simpsons Secret.

An entertaining and informative look at the unique culture of crime, punishment, and killing in Ancient Rome In Ancient Rome, all the best stories have one thing in common—murder. Romulus killed Remus to found the city, Caesar was assassinated to save the Republic. Caligula was butchered in the theater, Claudius was poisoned at dinner, and Galba was beheaded in the Forum. In one 50-year period, 26 emperors were murdered. But what did killing mean in a city where gladiators fought to the death to sate a crowd? In A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Emma Southon examines a trove of real-life homicides from Roman history to explore Roman culture, including how perpetrator, victim, and the act itself were regarded by ordinary people. Inside Ancient Rome's darkly fascinating history, we see how the Romans viewed life, death, and what it means to be human.

In the sequel to his sleeper hit Bad Days in History, acclaimed journalist Michael Farquhar brings us another 365 wickedly entertaining days of historical bad luck, epic misfortune, and unadulterated mayhem. History is filled with struggle and triumph, determination and discovery, courage and revolution--and let's face it, some really bad days. Featuring tales of bad romance, failed business deals, presidential missteps, royal sabotage, tragic loss, and missed opportunities, this illuminating narrative tells the unfortunate--but often comical--tales of days gone horribly wrong from ancient history to the modern day. With a red-letter event for every day of the year--from January 2, 1492, when the sultan of Granada was relieved of his kingdom by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, to February 18, 1900, when heroin was first prescribed by doctors to cure the common cough--you'll find yourself amused, intrigued, and sometimes horrified by day after day of hilarious misfortune. Think you're having a bad day? Think again.

Bestselling author Christopher Winn takes a closer look at our Roads, Avenues, Groves, Gardens, Hills and Lanes.There are around 800,000 streets in the UK and the name of each one tells a tale. We take them for granted but the choice of name can reveal facts about Britain's history, geography, topography and nature, even its politics and culture.From the most common names, to the rarest, the funniest to the most notorious, among the many fascinating facts, find out why the City of London has no'Roads', and where the UK's shortest street name (Rye) is located, as well as its longest (Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive). And why Station Road is in the top five most popular street names, alongside the multitude of Victoria Streets and Albert Roads. Devon even boasts The Street with No Name, which of course has its own story...Perfect for fans of trivia and local history, Great British Street Names will prompt you to think a little differently about the street where you live.

Dominate trivia night, liven up a date, and impress everyone you know with this funny, weird, smart book of little-known facts. Did you know a group of bunnies is called a fluffle? Or that the people who voiced Mickey and Minnie Mouse were married in real life? How about this one: In ancient Persia, government officials debated laws twice—once sober and once drunk? We could all use a little good news right now. Comedian and writer Emily Winter is here to tell you confidently that there is kindness, beauty, empathy, humor, resilience, wonder, silliness, cuteness, strength, hope, and joy in our world. With this book in hand, you can make yourself that much smarter while also lighting up your brain with positivity.

Funny and Feminist TriviaWomen of Interest is a humorous compendium of little known facts about the history, fame, fortunes, fashions, and fictions of the female species–enough to impress your mother and your boss, win arguments with your boyfriends and husbands, and generally know more about your fabulous female self.One of the most fascinating trivia books for women. Did you know that women outnumber men by five to one in shoplifting convictions? Or that researchers at Northwestern University found that men change their minds two to three times more than women? Women of Interest spans history, crosses cultures, ranges from the silly to the salacious to the truly useful and back again. Designed to delight the feminist in you, this outrageously funny book is organized into ten trivia-filled chapters covering all sorts of humorous histories and fun facts. Ideal for trivia games for adults or feminist gifts, now women really can know everything.Feminist, funny gifts for women. It's time to challenge that know-it-all girlfriend, or grab the ultimate bathroom reader for your feminist BFF. Whether you're searching for feminist books or trivia books, Women of Interest makes a wonderful addition to trivia games and bookshelves alike. Inside, you'll learn that:Diamonds didn't become a girl's best friend until the thirteenth century. Before that, they were for men only.Zazel, a woman, was the first human cannonball. She launched into the air through a giant spring inside a cannon.Marilyn Monroe was the very first Artichoke Queen in the artichoke capital of the world.If you enjoy comedy books, trivia books for adults, or funny gifts for her─and enjoyed titles such as What If, 399 Games Puzzles & Trivia Challenges, Uncle John's Truth Trivia and the Pursuit of Factiness, The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets, or Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book─then you'll love Women of Interest.

This 34th annual edition of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader offers an all-new collection of fascinating trivia, strange-but-true oddities, and the ever-popular stories of dumb crooks!Uncle John's Hindsight Is 2020 Bathroom Reader is packed with tons of new articles from the worlds of pop culture, history, and science to help you get everything out of your system the next time you visit the throne room! Articles range in length from a single page to extended page-turners, each as entertaining as the last. From iconic television roles that almost weren't to the origins of comic books, this 34th edition of fascinating trivia, hilarious lists, and notable quotes compiled by Uncle John and his team at the Bathroom Readers'Institute will set your mind free to roam the world—and you won't even need to leave the house!

Learn the facts! In Katie Adams'Wombats Poop Cubes, you will encounter some of the most unbelievable, entertaining, and no-frills factoids ever.Each page features a fact broken down into just three words. Why? Because gimmicks are great, and so is getting to the point. If you crave more information beyond those three special words, check out the full backstory alongside the fact. Fill that brain of yours with memorable gems of truth to learn hundreds of new things, to become an unstoppable trivia partner, or for no particular reason at all. Included are shocking and concise truths such as:· Vikings rap battled.· Bees get drunk.· Abraham Lincoln wrestled.· Kangaroos can't reverse. · Apples are roses.· Rabbits attacked Napoleon.Have some fun. Keep it short. Get some facts!

Discover everything you've ever wanted to know about marijuana all in one place with this authoritative A-to-Z guide to cannabis!What's a wake and bake? Who is Mitch Hedberg? What does Louisa May Alcott have to do with cannabis? And what exactly is the difference between a bong and a bubbler? Now you can “weed” all about it and find all the answers and more with this entertaining and updated edition of Weedopedia, your guide to everything marijuana—from the best movies to watch while high to cannabis slang and terminology. Whether you're interested in learning more about all things marijuana, or if you want something entertaining to read while enjoying a toke, this book is the one-stop-shop for all your weed-related needs.

#1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER AN ADAM SAVAGE BOOK CLUB PICKThe book-length answer to anyone who ever put their hand up in math class and asked, “When am I ever going to use this in the real world?” “Fun, informative, and relentlessly entertaining, Humble Pi is a charming and very readable guide to some of humanity's all-time greatest miscalculations—that also gives you permission to feel a little better about some of your own mistakes.” —Ryan North, author of How to Invent Everything Our whole world is built on math, from the code running a website to the equations enabling the design of skyscrapers and bridges. Most of the time this math works quietly behind the scenes... until it doesn't. All sorts of seemingly innocuous mathematical mistakes can have significant consequences. Math is easy to ignore until a misplaced decimal point upends the stock market, a unit conversion error causes a plane to crash, or someone divides by zero and stalls a battleship in the middle of the ocean. Exploring and explaining a litany of glitches, near misses, and mathematical mishaps involving the internet, big data, elections, street signs, lotteries, the Roman Empire, and an Olympic team, Matt Parker uncovers the bizarre ways math trips us up, and what this reveals about its essential place in our world. Getting it wrong has never been more fun.