Questions You're Not Supposed to Ask provides enlightenment on life's taboo subjects, with a healthy dose of laughter thrown in for good measure. The aim of the book is to arm the ordinary person with the sort of knowledge that is jealously guarded by the Powers That Be and so release the individual from the chains of ignorance. Some of the questions refer to bodily functions (Why is sex so much fun?), some debunk government falsehoods (Why do we pay tax?) while others delve into the supernatural (Is there more to life than meets the eye?) and others simply explain how things operate (What is physics?). Loads of fascinating information and a highly entertaining read from start to finish.

Ponder, if you will . . . Is yawning contagious? Do starfish have faces? Why do they put crinkly paper into pairs of men's socks? Why is it that cans of Diet Coke float, but cans of regular Coke don't?

Pop culture guru David Feldman demystifies these questions and much more in "Why Do Pirates Love Parrots? "

One of the Imponderables(R)--the unchallenged source of answers to civilization's most perplexing conundrums--and charmingly illustrated by Kassie Schwan, this book provides you with knowledge about everyday life that encyclopedias, dictionaries, and almanacs just don't cover. And think about it: Where else are you going to find out how they get the paper tag into a Hershey's Kiss?

Ponder, if you will ...Why are tennis balls fuzzy? How come birds don't tip over when they sleep on telephone wires?What makes yawning contagious?Why, oh why, do roosters have to crow so early in the morning?

Pop-culture guru David Feldman demystifies these topics and so much more in When Do Fish Sleep? -- the unchallenged source of answers to civilization's most baffling questions. Part of the Imponderables(R) series and charmingly illustrated by Kassie Schwan, When Do Fish Sleep? arms readers with the knowledge about everyday life that encyclopedias, dictionaries, and almanacs just don't have. And think about it, where else are you going to get to the bottom of why Mickey Mouse has only four fingers?

Here are the answers to questions that have been keeping you and your loved ones up nights, questions that have driven families to feuds, questions that nag and nag just won't let go. Have you ever wondered juts what purpose those warning labels on mattresses are supposed to serve? Or what happens to the trend that wears off tires? And how many meals have you spent pondering the perennially baffling question of why hot dogs come ten to a package while hot dog buns come in eight?

"Why Do Clocks Run Clockwise?" has the solutions to these and scores of other Imponderables. David Feldman's witty and irresistible compendium of knowledge goes where other reference books fear to trend, uncovering closely guarded secrets, revealing long-hidden facts, and, like all other invaluable works of detection, never letting well enough alone. Whether you want to settle those arguments about the difference between a kit and a caboodle, or just curious about dry cleaning, Teflon, Wayne Gretzky, or chocolate bunnies, "Why Do Clocks Run Clockwise?" is indispensable.

The Years Gone Bye takes you back to a time when . . . a thong was something you wore on your feet a blackberry was something you ate and mini skirts raised eyebrows Elvis was drafted into the army Archie called Edith a "dingbat" and Forrest Gump became a household name America landed on the moon divers found the Titanic after 73 years and the police chased a white Bronco down the LA Freeway These snippets are just a few threads of the thousands of strands of pop culture and history that weave this book into a tapestry of the last half-century.

Who wore the first pants? Who painted the first masterpiece? Who first rode the horse? Who invented soap? This madcap adventure across ancient history uses everything from modern genetics to archaeology to uncover the geniuses behind these and other world-changing innovations. Who invented the wheel? Who told the first joke? Who drank the first beer? Who was the murderer in the first murder mystery, who was the first surgeon, who sparked the first fire--and most critically, who was the first to brave the slimy, pale oyster? In this book, writer Cody Cassidy digs deep into the latest research to uncover the untold stories of some of these incredible innovators (or participants in lucky accidents). With a sharp sense of humor and boundless enthusiasm for the wonders of our ancient ancestors, Who Ate the First Oyster? profiles the perpetrators of the greatest firsts and catastrophes of prehistory, using the lives of individuals to provide a glimpse into ancient cultures, show how and why these critical developments occurred, and educate us on a period of time that until recently we've known almost nothing about.

Which is the smallest book in the Bodleian Library? Who complained when their secret pen name was revealed in the library's catalogue? How many miles of shelving are there in the Book Storage Facility? What is the story behind the library's refusal to lend a book to King Charles I? And, what is fasciculing? The answers to these questions and many more can be found inside this intriguing miscellaneous collection of curious facts and stories about the Bodleian Library in Oxford. Home to more than 12 million books and a vast array of treasures including the Gutenberg bible, J.R.R. Tolkien's hand-painted watercolours for 'The Hobbit', Shakespeare's First Folio and four thirteenth-century copies of Magna Carta, the Bodleian Library is one of the most magnificent libraries in the world with a fascinating history. 'Bodleianalia' delights in uncovering some of the lesser known facts about Britain's oldest university library. Through a combination of lists, statistics, and bitesize nuggets of information, it reveals many of the quirks of fate, eccentric characters, and remarkable events which have contributed to the making of this renowned institution. The perfect book for trivia-lovers and bibliophiles, it also offers readers a behind-the-scenes peek into the complex workings of a modern, world-class library in the twenty-first century.

Robert seems like such a regal name. Hmm . . . maybe not. This name is held by some of history's most notorious criminals, scoundrels and utter failures. In this book, you'll encounter killers, spies, gunslingers, corrupt politicians and crooked businessmen, all named Robert or Bobby. Meet the ultra-religious spy, the killer nurse and the actor who was a porn pioneer. It's the perfect book for anyone named Robert, Bob or Bobby.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! 2022 is sure to amaze and astound children and adults alike with thousands of strange stories, unusual feats and hair-raising oddities from around the world. Meet the man who has made a model of the Empire State Building - in cheese. Marvel at the heart-warming story of the dog that adopted five kittens. Read all about the curse of OEtzi, the five-thousand-year-old iceman mummy. Be amazed by the strange and extraordinary sea creatures that create their own light. Bursting with brilliant facts, fantastic stories and eye-popping photographs, this all-new edition of Ripley's will entertain, inform and flabbergast you. No Christmas is complete without it.

James seems like such a noble name. Hmm . . . maybe not. The names James and Jim are 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 James. Meet the hit man turned stoolie, the spy who reached the highest levels of the U.S. military and the mayor more interested in a good time than good government. It's the perfect book for anyone named James, Jim or Jimmy.