Discover the meaning of the season's traditions! Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Christmas the way we do? In this whimsical book, Jonathan Green tells you all about the fascinating stories behind our most beloved holiday traditions. Make yourself cozy by the fireplace, open up this fully illustrated treasure trove, and learn: Why we sing carols Why we burn Yule logs Why we hang stockings Why we kiss under the mistletoe Why we send greeting...

Wouldn't it be great to be a fly on the wall as the great writers took pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard)? While reading this work, you'll be just that. Here are behind-the-book stories and facts about authors, publishing and everything literary that will entertain both casual and serious readers. Among the questions asked and answered: • When Did Literature Finally Get Sexy? • Is Coffee or Opium Better for Literary Creativity? • Why Are...

Why does a curveball curve? What is a "can of corn"? Why was Joe DiMaggio called the "Yankee Clipper"? "Who wrote "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"? How many times did Ty Cobb steal home? In Baseball Miscellany, the fascinating history and lore of our national pastime is finally revealed! For example, the reason a curveball curves is that its spin drags a layer of air across one surface of the ball faster than it does across the opposite surface. A "can...

Ah, love… everyone wants to experience it, and if they have it, they want more. This collection of letters, quotations, and fun facts will satisfy every curious reader. Love Miscellany reveals a fascinating history of romance, answering questions like where the heart symbol originated, which aphrodisiacs really work, why chocolates and roses are the gifts of love, and much more. Share a little wisdom about the most powerful passion with this lovely...

The Blackburn Rovers Miscellany is a gem of a book, packed with facts, stats, trivia, stories and legend. This is the ultimate book of trivia on the club and a treasure trove of information that you can dip in and out of at your leisure. It's book that will make you smile, laugh out loud, sigh and reflect on the good times and the bad. Written by lifelong fan Harry Berry, this is a book no self-respecting Rovers fan should be without.

What causes a golf ball to hook or slice? What are the origins of the terms "bogey" and "birdie"? Why was Jack Nicklaus called "The Golden Bear"? "Why is the Masters champion presented with a green jacket? How many tournaments did Byron Nelson win in 1945? With Golf Miscellany, the fascinating history and lore of golf are finally revealed! For example, the reason a golf ball hooks or slices is that its spin drags a layer of air across one surface...

This miscellany explores the fascinating and enigmatic world of J.R.R. Tolkien, examining his place in literary history, his books and his iconic characters. The reader can explore facts and trivia from Tolkien's life and works, including his early life in southern Africa and Birmingham, Tolkien on the silver screen, his role in the two world wars and his friendship with C.S. Lewis, as well as the places that inspired his fictional world of Middle-earth. Both...

Did you know? Former City stalwart Denis Smith had the misfortune of having five broken legs, four broken noses, a cracked ankle, broken collar bone, chipped spine, most of his fingers and toes broken as well as having over 100 stitches at various times in Stoke colours - that's got to be a record! On 3 February 1945 Stoke City's Frank Wong Soo was the first player of Chinese extraction to play for England. Stoke have 2 club mascots called Pottermus...