Discover the complex mythology of the legendary Nordic and Baltic people who inspired Hollywood films, epic novels, and more. Beautiful goddesses, fierce warriors, formidable beasts, and Ragnarök itself—these magical tales have enthralled audiences for centuries. This classic collection of tales offers fascinating insights into Nordic and Baltic cultures. Stunningly illustrated and depicting Sámi, Finnish, Norse, and Baltic myths, this captivating book dives deep into the rich history of the region and recalls both the most popular and little-known tales of the north. Inside you’ll find: An in-depth introduction to Scandinavian, Nordic, and Baltic folklore Extensive profiles of deities, magical beings, monsters, giants, and more A vast array of stories across northern European traditions  This phenomenal compendium of northern European folklore is informed by archaeology and literature. Celebrating the intricacies of a long-lost world, Northern Mythology breathes new life into the tales of the distant past.

There's a reason Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and The Netherlands consistently rank as the top 5 happiest countries on earth! Find out the secrets to their happiness and fulfillment in The Scandinavian Guide to Happiness, which shares centuries of Nordic wisdom, including: - Lykke: Happiness is all around you (Denmark) - Lagom: Just the right amount - not too much, not too little (Sweden) - Fika: Taking daily coffee breaks and other comforting rituals (Sweden) - Hygge: Coziness brings comfort, courage, and happiness (Denmark) - Sisu: Everyday courage, grit, and determination & acting rationally in the face of adversity These basic principles will help you see how to have a happy life without buying anything, changing yourself, or making any other crazy drastic changes! Topics include Simplicity, Happiness, Health & Wellness, Relationships, Nature-Inspired Living, and more. Full of inspiring, encouraging ideas - and charming illustrations! - this thoughtful Scandinavian guide is sure to put a happy glow on your life.

Learn the weirdest facts in the world with this hilarious guide to all things bizarre and hard to believe. Challenge your friends, puzzle your family, and troll social media with trivia sure to stump even the most experienced fact guru. With 500 insane facts that are guaranteed to have you saying, "You've got to be kidding me," you'll be a weird trivia master in no time. Topics include: - History - Music - Science - Entertainment - Food - Odds and Ends Get ready to prove you're the real know-it-all! Gather your friends and family 'round and get ready to learn some wild and crazy trivia such as: - How long did the shortest war in history last? - True or False: There was once a mustache strike in France. - Did a Renaissance play once last for 30 days? - Is cheese the most widely shoplifted food in the world? - True or False?: A dentist invented cotton candy.

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen…but do you recall the most petrifying Christmas figures of all? Not all children fear just a lump of coal in their stockings. Discover the terrifying Yuletide fables that have horrified kids for generations. He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness’ sake. This lighthearted song is a bit more ominous in the context of other Christmas traditions. From beasts that threaten to cook children into stew to sinister crones who snatch little ones from their beds, you won’t find any dancing sugar plums here. Outside of the heartwarming Christmas tales we all know and love, there are an abundance of frightening stories to chill all who hear them to the bone. Discover folklore from all corners of the world, including: Krampus (Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and northern Italy), a demonic half-goat monster who drags chains and whips bad children with birch sticks, or stuffs them in his sack to take away The Kallikantzari (Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Turkey), goblins who come out during Advent to cause mischief  Père Fouettard (France, Belgium, Switzerland), Saint Nicholas’ eternal cannibal manservant who deals with naughty children Hans Trapp (Alsace-Lorraine, France), who roams the countryside disguised as a scarecrow and goes door to door on Christmas looking for children to feast upon Gryla (Iceland), the giant ogre who emerges from her cave on Christmas to hunt children and cook them into stew Mari Lwyd (Wales), a creature with a horse’s skull and a long cloak that is followed by a group of chanting people Frau Perchta (Austria and Bavaria), who slits the bellies of bad children and stuffs them with straw  These tales are sure to leave you wishing for the Grinch. Whether you are a fan of history and folklore, you love learning about different cultures, or you just want to give a holiday gift that will bring the joy of Christmas to that lucky someone (just kidding), The Scary Book of Christmas Lore is for you. ’Tis the season! Is it beginning look a lot like Christmas, yet?

Discover the little known facts about some of the world’s greatest historical icons. We all know what was written in the history books. There are some stories we’ve heard a hundred times—but often our understanding of these events and people is narrow. Have you ever wondered about the lesser known details that influenced major events and figures behind-the-scenes? This hilarious compendium of fascinating facts and dizzying what-ifs will delight and shock history buffs and trivia lovers alike. From Abraham Lincoln’s wrestling champ background to the day Napoleon was attacked by a horde of hungry rabbits, this book will give you a new perspective. Including: Walt Disney gave his housekeeper Disney stock every year on her birthday and Christmas. By the time she retired, she was a multi-millionaire. Charlie Chaplin entered a lookalike contest as a joke…and got 20th place. Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company, convinced Thomas Edison’s son to collect Edison’s last breath in a test tube. It is on display at The Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. Before Galileo Galilei was buried, three of his fingers and a tooth were removed from his body by his admirers. The body parts are on display at the Museo Galileo in Florence, Italy.   From ancient civilization to modern times, history is full of mysterious and downright bizarre circumstances. With these crazy and compelling facts, Hidden Histories will change your view of history

From cubed wombat poop to mantis shrimp eyesight, impress your friends with More True Facts That Sound Like Bull$#*t! Learn the weirdest things about planet earth with this hilarious guide to all things bizarre. Challenge your friends, puzzle your family, and troll social media with true-or-false questions sure to stump even the most experienced fact guru. The perfect gift for trivia experts and internet searchers alike, with 500 odd-but-true facts to choose from, you'll become a weird trivia master in no time. Put your game face on, and prove once again that you are the real know-it-all! Gather your friends and family 'round (again!) and get ready to learn more wild and crazy trivia and facts such as: - How long did the shortest war in history last? - True or False? There was once a mustache strike in France. - Are babies born crying with an accent? - True or False? a dentist invented cotton candy. - Is cheese the most widely shoplifted food in the world? Stump everyone with More True Facts That Sound Like Bull$#*t!

What if everything you thought you knew was wrong? Well, it probably is. MISCONCEPTIONS explores some of the world's most popular false facts and reveal unexpected truths that will shock even the most experienced brainiacs! MISCONCEPTIONS breaks down the world's most widely believed lies, including: - You must wait 30 minutes after eating before you swim or you'll drown. - Sugar makes children hyper. - Gum takes seven years to digest if you swallow it. - Ancient Greek sculptures were painted shades of white. - Lightning never strikes the same place twice. And that's just scratching the surface! Deep within the pages of MISCONCEPTIONS, you'll find pieces of information that will blow away your family, friends, and dinner date. Become the resident expert on history (Did George Washington really have wooden teeth?), wildlife (No, toads don't really cause warts...), science (Are meteors actually on fire when they reach the Earth?), and more! With life-altering fun facts and hilarious explanations, this gift book will make learning enjoyable!

The friars represented a remarkable innovation in medieval religious life. Founded in the early 13th century, the Franciscans and Dominicans seemed a perfect solution to the Church's troubles in confronting rapid changes in society. They attracted considerable enthusiastic support, especially from the papacy, to which they answered directly. In their first two hundred years, membership grew at an astonishing rate, and they became counsellors to princes and kings, they receiving an almost endless stream of donations and gifts. Yet there were those who were not so enamored of them, who believed the adulation was misguided or even dangerous, and who saw in the friars' actions only hypocrisy, deceit, greed, and even, signs of the end of the world. In the mid-13th century, writings appeared denouncing and mocking the friars, and calling for their abolition. Their French and English opponents were among the most vocal, leaving a vivid record of condemnation. From harsh theological criticism and outrage at the Inquisition, to vulgar stories and bathroom humor, these are their stories.

The turn of the 20th century was a time of great change in Britain. The empire saw its global influence waning and its traditional social structures challenged. There was a growing weariness of industrialism and a desire to rediscover tradition and the roots of English heritage. A new interest in English folk song and dance inspired the art world, which many believed was seeing a renaissance after a period of stagnation since the 18th century. This book focuses on the lives of seven English composers-Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst, George Butterworth, Ernest Moeran, Philip Heseltine (Peter Warlock), Gerald Finzi and Percy Grainger-whose work was influenced by folk songs and early music. Each chapter provides historical background and tells the fascinating story of a musical life.

From secret societies to aliens and assassinations, decode history's greatest cover ups with The Big Book of Conspiracy Theories. Did America fake the moon landing? Was 9/11 an inside job? What is the government hiding at Area 51? From secret societies to aliens and assassinations, decode history's greatest cover ups with The Big Book of Conspiracy Theories. Humanity has long been obsessed with the unexplained, and we have ascribed many mysteries to underground groups and secret schemes. With seeming coincidences piling up around significant events, it's no wonder so many theories have emerged over the years. But how many coincidences are too many before it becomes a conspiracy? That's for you to decide. Explore this compelling collection of unexplained circumstances and uncover hidden agendas, startling allegations, and baffling evidence. Unmask the remarkable origins and implications of these theories, including: The JFK assassination The Illuminati The Flat Earth Society Lizard people seeking world domination Roswell Mind Control Labs in Alaska The New World Order The Freemasons Connect the dots between suspicious coincidences and discover the craziest mysteries in the world with The Big Book of Conspiracy Theories.

The CW's hit adaptation of Supergirl is a new take on the classic DC character for a new audience. With diverse female characters, it explores different versions of the female experience. No single character embodies a feminist ideal but together they represent attributes of the contemporary feminist conversation. This collection of new essays uses a similar approach, inviting a diverse group of scholars to address the many questions about gender roles and female agency in the series. Essays analyze how the series engages with feminism, Supergirl's impact on queer audiences, and how families craft the show's feminist narratives. In the ever-growing superhero television genre, Supergirl remains unique as viewers watch a female hero with almost godlike powers face the same struggles as ordinary women in the series.

Jessica Jones barged onto our TV and computer screens in November 2015, courtesy of Marvel and Netflix, presenting a hard-drinking female protagonist who wrestles with her own inner (and outer) demons. Gaining enhanced abilities as a teenager, she eschews the "super costume" and is far more concerned with the problems of daily life than the high-profile world of New York's superheroes. But when Jessica falls under the control of a villain, Kilgrave, her life changes forever. Alias, a television adaptation of the graphic novel, won a large following and critical acclaim for its unflinching look at controversial subjects, including abuse (physical, sexual and emotional), trauma, PTSD, rape culture, alcoholism, drug addiction, victims' plight and family conflicts. This collection of new essays offers insight into the show's complex themes and story lines.

From woolly mammoths and eight-foot beavers on the River Thames to plagues and civil wars, from tea to castles and cathedrals, and everything in between, The Big Book of Britain is a compendium of the major people and events in British history. Dive in and discover this island nation’s unique charm and fascinating story. More than 200 stories are sure to delight Anglophiles, British readers, the curious, and history buffs alike. Whether you’re interested in mythology, famous historical figures, ancient and medieval history, or how this tiny nation came to rule and influence so much of the world for a while, this accessible, illustrated volume has something for everyone. The Big Book of Britain covers the common and the obscure over thousands of years, including: The Celts and Romans Food, drink, and feasts Wars and politics, and all the skulduggery that go with them Music and literature, and the amazing creators behind the masterpieces Britain during and between the two World Wars Inventors and engineers The truth about the Vikings The rise and fall of the British Empire Tabloids and the modern royal family Brexit And much more!   Each entry has a fun or weird fact that adds more to the whole picture. Celebrate the triumphs of Britain’s people, its rich history, its influence around the world, and its major achievements, as well as some of its major stumbles, outrages, and mistakes. The Big Book of Britain will have you buzzing about what makes Britain, well, Britain, from the earliest times to the modern age.

Make Vegetables Great Again is the go-to cookbook for making kids (and kids at heart) love their veggies! Some kids say vegetables like it's the dirtiest word they've ever heard. (Heck, some parents feel the same way!) But it doesn't have to be like that! It's time to Make Vegetables Great Again! Inside this polished little hardcover cookbook you'll find: - Over 100 recipes, variations, and tips and tricks for making every meal (secretly!) chock full of vegetables! - Brilliant ideas for sneaking vegetables into kids' diets! - Prep-ahead plans and other tricks for making mealtimes (and on-the-go mealtimes) super fun, fast, easy, and delicious! - Beautiful food photography that will reel in even the pickiest eater! - Fun facts on how to select luscious produce, plus ways to get the most flavor and nutrition out of your vegetables! Feeding a little person healthy, fresh, seasonal produce doesn't have to be difficult. Make Vegetables Great Again will win over even the stubbornest little eater. They'll be gobbling up that cauliflower in no time! Go on, get cooking--veg-filled breakfasts, fresh lunches, healthy snacks, and happy family dinners await!

Learn shocking stats and facts that will surprise you, expand your knowledge, and help you impress your friends! Astonish yourself and your friends with Stats to Blow Your Mind & Everyone Else You're Talking To. Seeing is believing with the many intriguing charts and graphs in this book. Take your learning on the road, this book is perfect for reading during family vacations or to friends at parties. This is the perfect gift for someone who loves to learn. Spark your own curiosity with the compelling statistics in Stats to Blow Your Mind & Everyone Else You're Talking To.