Practical American English

America’s favorite astrophysicist has written the most entertaining and universally appealing book of his stellar career: a practical guide for dealing with Alien visitors, an exploration of how it might happen, and a cultural history of our fascination with extraterrestrials. “Ever since...

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 ...

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.

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 ...

Are you ready to break into the booming world of CNC machining but feel like traditional guides just don't get your challenges? "CNC MILLING: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO GETTING HIRED" is your essential roadmap. Forget dense theory and assumed knowledge; this book cuts straight to what you need to know to land a job and thrive in the industry. Written specifically for underserved communities and anyone facing barriers to entry, it offers clear, actionable steps on everything from understanding machine basics and reading blueprints to acing your interview and mastering crucial hands-on skills. ...

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.

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.

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 ...

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 ...

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...

American Musical Theatre History: A Complete Guide to Broadway from 1968 to 1980 is the ultimate exploration of one of Broadway’s most daring and transformative eras. From the groundbreaking energy of Hair to the dark brilliance of Sweeney Todd, this book takes readers deep into the world of musicals that reshaped the stage and forever changed American culture. Spanning twelve pivotal years, this comprehensive guide examines how Broadway navigated cultural upheaval, economic struggles, and artistic experimentation. Discover how the rise of the concept musical redefined storytelling, how ...

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 ...

Haunted America: The True Stories Behind the Most Famous Real American Hauntings takes you on a spine-tingling journey through the eerie halls, shadowy prisons, and haunted homes that make up America’s most legendary ghost stories. From the terrifying Bell Witch of Tennessee to the mysterious tragedies of the Villisca Axe Murder House in Iowa, this gripping guide explores ten of the most notorious haunted locations in the country. Each chapter blends historical fact, local folklore, and chilling eyewitness accounts to reveal the dark stories and lingering spirits that continue to haunt ...

American Musical Theatre History 1995–2010: A Complete Guide to Broadway’s New Millennium explores one of the most transformative eras in Broadway history. From the rise of Disney as a theatrical powerhouse to the daring innovation of new composers and storytellers, this book provides an in-depth look at how American musical theatre entered the new millennium with boldness, resilience, and global influence. Spanning fifteen years of productions, cultural shifts, and technological breakthroughs, this comprehensive guide covers: The arrival of Disney on Broadway with The Lion King, Aida, ...

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 ...

Gunnar Myrdal Explained: Institutional Economics, An American Dilemma, Welfare State Theory, Social Inequality, Development Economics, Cumulative Causation, and the Political Economy of Modern Society Gunnar Myrdal was one of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth century, yet his ideas remain underexplored by general readers. In this comprehensive and accessible guide, discover how Myrdal reshaped economics, sociology, and public policy through groundbreaking concepts such as cumulative causation, institutional analysis, and the role of values in social science. This book unpacks ...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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, ...