Practical American English

Weird but True Stories from the American Old West: Strange and Bizarre Tales from the Frontier, 1865–1895 is a thrilling journey through the most unusual, mysterious, and downright bizarre real-life stories to come out of the Wild West. From haunted saloon pianos and vanishing mining towns to storm-riding cowboys and a decapitated outlaw whose ghost still roams the gallows, this captivating collection brings to life the stranger side of frontier history. Every chapter reveals a unique tale rooted in actual accounts, period newspapers, or enduring local legends—all set west of the ...

History books usually fall into two categories: impossibly dry or hopelessly long. This one is neither. Instead, think of it as the “greatest hits album” of American history. It’s packed with the stories, characters, and oddball events that shaped a very unruly nation. From rebellious colonists tossing tea into Boston Harbor, to presidents who rewrote the rules of leadership, to astronauts, inventors, protestors, and entrepreneurs who changed the world (sometimes by accident), this book walks you through the drama with a side order of fun.

Explore the hidden and often shocking history of cults in the United States in Cults in America: A Deep Dive into the Dark History of U.S. Cults and Their Lasting Impact. From 19th-century utopian experiments to the devastating events at Jonestown and Waco, this comprehensive guide reveals how cults have shaped American society, politics, and culture across the centuries. Discover the psychological tactics that cults use to control followers, the warning signs of recruitment, and the rise of digital-age movements like QAnon and NXIVM. This compelling and informative book balances historical...

Weird but True Stories from South American History: Bizarre, Shocking, and Unbelievable Tales from the Continent of Wonders takes readers on a thrilling journey through the most surprising, eerie, and astonishing true events in South America's past. From ancient lost cities swallowed by jungle to the sacred child mummies left high in the Andes, this book uncovers ten bizarre but historically verified tales that showcase the strange brilliance of the continent’s history. Each chapter explores a unique story backed by real evidence, providing a captivating blend of mystery, archaeology, ...

Weird but True Stories from the 1950's: Bizarre, Shocking, and Unbelievable Tales from America’s Atomic Age Think you know the 1950's? Think again. Beneath the surface of poodle skirts, chrome diners, and black-and-white TV was a decade overflowing with mystery, irony, and stranger-than-fiction true stories. This captivating collection reveals ten astonishing real-life events from the 1950's that defy expectation and logic—each one verified and rooted in historical fact. From radar panic over Washington D.C. to the eerie Phantom Whistler of New Jersey, from mid-air collisions with ...

Transcendentalism Explained: How Emerson, Thoreau, and the American Spirit Redefined Self, Nature, and Meaning is a clear and inviting introduction to one of the most influential movements in American intellectual history. This book guides readers through the origins, principles, and lasting legacy of Transcendentalism, offering an accessible path into the ideas that shaped modern understandings of individuality, nature, spirituality, and moral responsibility. Through engaging explanations and a structured overview of the movement’s major thinkers, it provides a practical and thoughtful ...

This first-of-its-kind herbal guide takes you through the origins of herbal practices rooted in African American tradition—from Ancient Egypt and the African tropics to the Caribbean and the United States. Inside you'll find the stories of herbal healers like Emma Dupree and Henrietta Jeffries, who made modern American herbalism what it is today. After rediscovering the forgotten legacies of these healers, African American Herbalism dives into the important contributions they made to the world of herbalism.

When you reconnect with the divine feminine and tap into the ancient wisdom of the powerful women who came before you, you become a walking embodiment of love, magic, compassion and power. The practices and channelled messages within this book are here to support you in going deep within your...

Weird but True Stories from the Great Depression: Bizarre, Shocking, and Unbelievable Tales from America's Darkest Decade Step beyond the breadlines and dust storms into the strangest corners of America’s hardest era. This captivating collection of weird but true stories from the Great Depression reveals a side of the 1930s you've never seen—filled with eccentric survival strategies, bizarre public stunts, surreal government projects, and the unforgettable humans behind it all. Meet the man who couldn’t be killed—even when poisoned, frozen, and gassed. Discover how flour sacks ...

Pragmatism Explained: A Complete Guide to Understanding the Philosophy of Practical Thought and Action is your essential introduction to one of the most influential philosophical traditions of the modern era. Born in nineteenth-century America through the work of Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey, pragmatism redefined the way we think about truth, knowledge, and progress. Instead of seeking abstract and eternal principles, pragmatism insists that the meaning of any idea must be measured by its practical consequences. This accessible guide explores the origins of ...

Do you find difficulties learning phrasal verbs? Are you fed up with going over endless lists of translated phrasal verbs without finding enough examples and uses? Do you have difficulty understanding phrasal verbs while reading or listening? Are you looking forward to being able to use phrasal verbs while writing or speaking? Well, the fact is learning phrasal verbs and using them is a matter of regular and constant practice as well as getting access to large numbers of examples in different contexts. Getting to know the meaning of a given phrasal verb can make a little difference, the ...

Unlock the secrets of America's most legendary prison island. The History of Alcatraz: A Complete Guide to America's Most Infamous Prison Island is a captivating, thoroughly researched look at the rich and complex past of Alcatraz. From its early days as a Civil War-era military fort to its decades as a maximum-security federal penitentiary, this book explores why Alcatraz has remained a symbol of justice, power, and mystery in the American imagination. Walk the island through its many lives: the fortress that once protected San Francisco Bay, the prison that held notorious criminals like ...

Ragtime Music History: The Complete Guide to the Origins, Legacy, and Essential Recordings of America’s First Popular Music is your ultimate deep dive into one of the most influential musical genres in American culture. From its syncopated origins in African American communities to its peak in the saloons, parlors, and vaudeville stages of the early 20th century, this beautifully written guide explores the evolution, key figures, cultural impact, and lasting legacy of ragtime. Discover the stories of Scott Joplin, James Scott, and Eubie Blake; learn how ragtime shaped early jazz, inspired...

The History of and Listening to Blues Music is your essential beginner’s guide to exploring one of the most powerful and influential genres in music history. Whether you're curious about the soulful roots of the blues, want to discover iconic artists like Robert Johnson and B.B. King, or are eager to dive into modern blues revival, this comprehensive guide has you covered. Packed with engaging chapters on the origins of the blues, key subgenres like Delta and Chicago blues, essential listening lists, and practical tips on collecting records and attending live shows, this book is perfect ...

Philosophy Explained for Non-Philosophers: Clear Guides to the Ideas That Shape Human Thought Pragmatism Explained for Non-Philosophers: How Practical Consequences, Action, and Experience Shape Truth and Meaning is a clear, engaging introduction to one of philosophy’s most practical and accessible traditions. Written specifically for readers without a background in philosophy, this book explains how pragmatism shifts the focus of philosophical thinking away from abstract certainty and toward lived experience, problem solving, and real world consequences. Instead of asking whether ideas ...

Discover the essence of American English with "American Idioms for Everyday Use". This guide unlocks the special phrases and slang that define American conversations, from New York's hustle to California's laid-back vibes.

In Christopher Moore's ingenious debut novel, we meet one of the most memorably mismatched pairs in the annals of literature. The good-looking one is one-hundred-year-old ex-seminarian and ""roads"" scholar Travis O'Hearn. The green one is Catch, a demon with a nasty habit of eating most of the...

Discover the strangest side of the Civil War that textbooks left behind. From sneezed-out bullets and exploding mules to musical ceasefires and sky-high spies in balloons, Weird but True Stories from the Civil War reveals the bizarre, hilarious, and unbelievable moments that actually happened during America’s deadliest conflict. These aren’t fictional tales—they’re real events, drawn from eyewitness accounts, battlefield reports, and historical archives. Explore ten shocking stories that shine a light on the surreal side of 19th-century warfare, including a Confederate soldier who ...

Discover the extraordinary life and legendary films of John Ford, the director who defined American cinema. John Ford: A Complete Guide to the Life, Films, and Legacy of One of America’s Greatest Directors explores the career of the four-time Academy Award winner whose iconic works shaped how the world sees the American West, family, community, and national identity. From his Irish immigrant roots to his rise in Hollywood, Ford’s journey reflects the story of America itself, captured through unforgettable films like Stagecoach, The Grapes of Wrath, The Searchers, and The Quiet Man. This...

David Koresh and the Branch Davidians: Inside the History, Beliefs, Leadership, and Tragic Legacy of the Waco Siege offers a clear, thorough, and accessible examination of one of the most controversial events in modern American history. This book guides readers through the origins of the Branch Davidians, the rise of David Koresh, and the theological ideas that shaped the Mount Carmel community. Through careful explanation and well structured chapters, the book explores how Koresh’s prophetic interpretations, charismatic leadership, and influence over his followers formed the foundation ...