In 2003, a curious, old-fashioned, pocket-size book transformed the way we look at information. Since then, "Schott's Original Miscellany" and its two sequel volumes have been translated into more than fifteen languages and have sold some three million copies.

Now Ben Schott returns to the miscellany format with a brand-new cabinet of curiosities. Inside, you'll find fascinating facts cheek by jowl with information you can't live without. All things are considered, from footwear labeling symbols, airport runway markings, and sign-writing brush sizes to the traditional method of counting sheep and how to smoke cigars while reading the news.

Nothing escapes the jeweler's eye of this curator of unconsidered trifles. An essential addition to the bookshelf of all who love life's rich tapestry, "Schott's Quintessential Miscellany"-equal parts encyclopedia, almanac, treasury, and lexicon-will remind you that there is only one Ben Schott.

Praise for "Schott's Miscellanies"

"If we live in an information age, then Ben Schott has become something of a maestro, or perhaps a master chef, ranging over the whole of knowledge and seasoning his...books with a pinch of this, a drop of that." -"Chicago Sun-Times"

"Genuine practical value...Elegantly designed...A vast empire of informational flotsam and jetsam." -"New York Times"

"One of the oddest and most addictively readable reference books in print."-"Boston Globe"

"Completely earnest and mischievous at the same time."-"Newsday"

Fifty thought-provoking questions about players' pasts will spark sweet memories and lively discussion.

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

A great variety of activities to test your knowledge, whether highbrow or low culture. Proving you know it all about history has never been such fun – or so tricky. Do you think you know all about history? Can you tell your Tudors from your Habsburgs, and the Ming dynasty from the Mughals? Could you put the US presidents in order? Can you say what century the Elgin Marbles or Benin bronzes were crafted, or who were the husbands of famous women? Perhaps you like the history of art or of great inventions? Or maybe you think you know all about the great battles of the world? Whatever your area of interest or depth of knowledge, this quiz will have some testing questions for you. From the Stone Age up to the Second World War and covering all corners of the earth as well as all areas of human endeavour, Think You Know It All: History will challenge your knowledge of what happened, who did it, where and when. Along with the straightforward quizzes, there are maps questions, silhouettes to identify, mazes to follow – a great variety of activities to test your knowledge, whether highbrow or low culture. Proving you know it all about history has never been such fun – or so tricky.

What can be found in the Vatican's Secret Archive? How many books did Charles Darwin's library aboard the Beagle hold? Which library is home to a colony of bats? Bursting with potted histories, quirky facts and enlightening lists, this book explores every aspect of the library, celebrating not only these remarkable institutions but also the individuals behind their awe-inspiring collections. From the ancient library at Alexandria to the Library of Congress in Washington DC, A Library Miscellany explores institutions both old and new, from the university library to that of the humble village. It opens the door to unusual collections such as herbaria, art libraries, magic libraries and even the library of smells, and charts the difficulties of cataloguing books deemed to be subversive, heretical, libellous or obscene. Packed with unusual facts and statistics, this is the perfect volume for library enthusiasts, bibliophiles and readers everywhere.

How well do you know your words?; Buxom used to mean obedient; A cloud was a rock; Raunchy originally meant dirty; Brimming with hidden histories and tantalising twists, The Accidental Dictionary tells the extraordinary stories behind ordinary words.; Our everyday language is full of surprises; its origins are stranger than you might think. Any word might be knocked and buffeted, subjected to twists and turns, expansions and contractions, happy and unhappy accidents. There are intriguing tales behind even the most familiar terms, and they can say as much about the present as they do the past.; Busking, for instance, originally meant piracy. Grin meant to snarl. A bimbo was a man, nice meant ignorant, glamour was magic and a cupboard was a table...; Focusing on 100 surprising threads in the evolution of English, The Accidental Dictionary reveals the etymological origins and quirky developments that have led to the meanings we take for granted today. It is a weird and wonderful journey into words.; So, let's revel in its randomness and delight in its diversity - our dictionary is indeed accidental.

'Outrageously addictive' -- Stephen Fry Eaton's Modern Ready Reckoner revives the curiosities of old, mixing it with the delights and complexities of the 21st Century. A nostalgic gift book for the modern trivia-loving brainiac in your life, Eaton's Modern Ready Reckoner contains information on everything and anything, from digital algorithms, to weights and measures; SpaceX to interest rates; monarchs, presidents and rap stars. But not only that, it includes out-of-this world trivia as we head into the age of the Large Hadron Collider, of stem cell therapy, Bitcoin, and Netflix; of vaping, emojis and the hashtag; as well as updates on Reckoner classics from days of yore - including metric and imperial conversions; sunrise and sunset times across the world; and, perhaps more usefully, how to tell the height of a tree. Compiled by quiz-buff and self-confessed 'collector of curiosities' Thomas Eaton, Eaton's Modern Ready Reckoner is a wonderful revival of a forgotten treasure trove of facts, figures and trivial delights!

William seems like such a regal name. Wrong! This name is held by some of history's most notorious criminals, scoundrels and utter failures. In this book, you'll encounter killers, con men, spies, mobsters, and corrupt politicians--all named William or Bill. Meet the butcher who sparked mayhem in early New York, the men who murdered to satisfy their thirst for whiskey and a few of the Wild West's most infamous gunslingers. It's the perfect book for anyone named William, Bill or Willie.

Which are the oldest museums in the world? What is a cabinet of curiosities? Who haunts Hampton Court? What is on the FBI's list of stolen art? 'A Museum Miscellany' celebrates the intriguing world of galleries and museums, from national institutions such as the Musee du Louvre, the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art to niche collections such as the Lawnmower Museum and the Museum of Barbed Wire. Here you will find a cornucopia of museum-related facts, statistics and lists, covering everything from museum ghosts, dangerous museum objects and conservation beetles to treasure troves, museum heists and the Museum of London's fatberg. Bursting with quirky facts, intriguing statistics and legendary curators, this is the perfect gift for all those who love to visit museums and galleries.

In 2020, Claire McNear's ANSWERS IN THE FORM OF QUESTIONS first chronicled Jeopardy! at the precipice of change. In 2021, it was McNear's reporting on the dramatic race to replace Alex Trebek that resulted in the dismissal of Mike Richards just a day after he took over for the legendary host. In the updated paperback edition, a new afterword breaks down the Richards saga and how his day as host unfolded behind the scenes-with many more updates throughout about the rise of new super-champions like Matt Amodio and Amy Schneider. For all its change, Jeopardy! remains an institution. ANSWERS IN THE FORM OF QUESTIONS takes readers backstage at Jeopardy!'s Culver City studio, exploring Trebek's life and legacy, the high-stakes search for a new host, and how the show's writers and producers put together the nightly game. Readers will travel to bar-trivia showdowns with Jeopardy!'s biggest winners and training sessions with trivia whizzes prepping for their shot onstage. And they'll discover new tales of the show's most notable moments-like the time the Clue Crew almost slid off a glacier-and learn how celebrity cameos and Saturday Night Live spoofs helped build a television mainstay. ANSWERS IN THE FORM OF QUESTIONS looks to the past-and the future-to explain what Jeopardy! really is: a game, a show, and a beloved tradition.

Taking the history of the world as its basis might seem a mammoth task but this fascinating book does just that, breaking the whole lot down into ten enthralling chapters that cover the ages and the world, from the Bronze Age up until the end of the Second World War. With over 5,500 years to choose from, and a whole world of events, you can be sure there is no shortage of intriguing history to explore. From the first empires and civilizations, through the Ancient world of the Middle East and Africa; the Parthian Empire; the Golden Age of India; the ancient dynasties of China; the founding of Rome and the Roman republic; Peruvian cultures; The Middle Ages; the Byzantine Empire; Mayan culture; the Crusades; the rise of the Ottoman Empire; the Renaissance - this far-reaching book will test the knowledge of any history lover and provide the ultimate challenge for even the most knowledgeable historian. With questions ranging through multiple choice, truth or fiction, maps and pictures, you will find there is always something new to learn about the world.

Who invented the pub quiz? The British, of course! Who doesn't enjoy a rousing question-and-answer session over a pint and some scratchings? Indeed, what higher calling is there than standing in the pub loudly demanding answers to difficult questions like 'd'you want some?' Here, for your pleasure, Britain's leading pub landlord, The Pub Landlord, presents the finest collection of facts imaginable. Enjoy the attention of friends and strangers by revealing how many James Bonds there were, how many times the French have capitulated and exactly how long those pickled eggs have been in that jar on the bar. The ladies love a well-read man and this book will give you the tools needed to impress her (don't worry, answers are included). None of your French-type philosophical musings here. No, this is a proper quiz for the Great British Public. In a public house. Or your living room.

What's the best book ever written? What would happen if we all stopped eating meat? What's the secret to living past 110? And what actually is the best thing since sliced bread? In An Answer For Everything, 200 of the world's most intriguing questions are settled once and for all through beautiful and brilliant infographics. The results will leave you shocked, informed and thoroughly entertained. Created by the team behind the award-winning Delayed Gratification magazine, these compelling, darkly funny data visualisations will change the way you think about ... everything

Where was the first World Cup held? A Argentina B France C Uruguay D The Netherlands Here's the ultimate challenge for all football fans and armchair contestants. If you think you could compete with the contestants who sit in the famous Who Wants to be a Millionaire? hot-seat, then this is the quiz book for you. Packed with 1,000 brain teasing questions about UK, European and international football, created by the Who Wants to be a Millionaire? question masters, this is the ultimate quiz book for any football fan. This World Cup, find out if you really know your football by playing Who Wants to be a Football Millionaire?

From Eastenders to Dr Who, Desert Island Discs to Monty Pyton, The Office to Peaky Blinders, test your knowledge of the history of the BBC and all your favourite programmes with this OFFICIAL puzzle book. From casual quizzers to trivia obsessives, everyone will love this light-hearted and fun book of puzzles and quzzes, released to mark the 100th birthday of the oldest and most famous broadcasting company in the world. Learn about the organisation's history, from its beginnings right up until the present day, discovering all about its fantastic programmes, from comedy, drama and news to soaps, quiz shows and documentaries, along the way. Catch up with your favourite shows, stars and characters and learn about the history of the BBC on the way. You'll find long-standing, iconic series like Dr Who, Eastenders, The Archers or Desert Island Discs as well as cutting-edge dramas such as I May Destroy You and Peaky Blinders. There are also classic comedies like Monty Python, Fawlty Towers and Dad's Army as well as genre-changing hits like The Office or Fleabag. Each spread includes a lively, brief history together with puzzles that will suit all levels of knowledge and skill, making this title the perfect book for everyone to to enjoy. Over its hundred years the BBC has been at the heart of family entertainment and information, known throughout the world for the quality of its output. Packed with history, facts, puzzles, and images of favourite stars and programmes, this is the perfect gift for Christmas and beyond!

Are you a Marvel pro who knows everything there is to know about this iconic brand? Can you match the archnemesis to the Super Hero, or name all the Avengers? From Iron Man to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and everything in between, there's a quiz for each movie and streaming series with questions to suit everyone - from new recruits to Marvel fanatics. Fun for everyone, The Ultimate Marvel Studios Quiz Book is the ideal gift for the Marvel fans in your life. Conquering these quizzes, you'll discover who has the genius of Tony Stark, and who needs to study up on the MCU. Quizzes include: Iron Man The Avengers Eternals Guardians of the Galaxy Black Panther Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings WandaVision Loki Moon Knight and more! Also available: The Ultimate Disney Quiz Book (c) 2022 MARVEL.