Search results for ""Author Tim Rayborn""
HarperCollins Focus Misconceptions: A Guide to the World's Most Popular Myths
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!
£8.99
HarperCollins Focus This Book Will Teach You Business Etiquette: The Insider's Guide to Workplace Courtesy and Customs
This Book Will Teach You Business Etiquette is the essential pocket-sized guide for business skills nobody teaches you about in school! There was a time when you could diligently put in your hours and stay in the same job from graduation to retirement. But these days you have to be savvy to get ahead in business! Inside this handy, pocket-size hardcover, you will find: Five tricks for remembering names (the first time) and engaging people on a deeper level! How to avoid burnout, savor vacation time, and love your work! What not to do during a conference call! How to be professional How to get a promotion and win that raise! Recent grads and seasoned professionals alike will rely on this trusty little hardcover guide to the nuances of business etiquette that typically take years to learn. With dozens of how-tos, lists, and charts, This Book Will Teach You Business Etiquette breaks down business insider secrets in an entertaining, informative, and encouraging manner. You'll be winning friends and influencing people in no time!
£8.99
McFarland & Co Inc Against the Friars: Antifraternalism in Medieval France and England
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.
£35.96
HarperCollins Focus Hidden Histories: 100 Wild Stories You Never Learned in History Class
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
£12.99
HarperCollins Focus Hygge Simplified: A Guide to Scandinavian Coziness, Comfort and Conviviality (Happiness, Self-Help, Danish, Love, Safety, Change, Housewarming Gift)
With Hygge Simplified, learn how to find happiness with this essential Scandinavian mindset!Hygge has taken the world by storm, and now you too can find comfort and safety in the company of others, as well as alone at home. Unlike so much self-help, hygge is fairly simple and straightforward, ranging from different lighting to storage and wardrobe. This lifestyle is about more than reducing clutter, however; it is about personal growth so you are living a life of confidence and balance. While the principles of hygge are applicable to people in all phases of life, start off friends and family in their new home with this ideal housewarming gift. Happiness is here with Hygge Simplified!
£9.99
HarperCollins Focus Lost: A History of Disappearances
Go behind the crime scene tape and investigate the mysterious missing persons cases that have left experts baffled with Lost.The Bermuda Triangle. Amelia Earhart. The Mary Celeste. D.B. Cooper. The lost colony of Roanoke. The Lindbergh baby. With puzzling disappearances that bewilder investigators to this day and infamous cold cases that will chill you to the bone, Lost is a compendium of the most compelling missing persons cases in history. These notorious stories will have true crime fans on the edge of their seats. From planes that took off and never touched down to kidnappings, murders, and people who seem to have vanished into thin air, jump into the evidence left behind to untangle these mysteries—and ponder the lost souls who disappeared without a trace.Inside you’ll find: Perplexing cold cases left unsolved for decades Missing persons who recently appeared Victims who were lost under bizarre circumstances And much more! Discover the world’s most famous, inexplicable, and intriguing disappearing acts with Lost.
£14.39
HarperCollins Focus The Big Book of Conspiracy Theories: History's Biggest Delusions and Speculations, From JFK to Area 51, the Illuminati, 9/11, and the Moon Landings
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 and decide for yourself.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.
£18.05
HarperCollins Focus The Scandinavian Guide to Happiness: The Nordic Art of Happy and Balanced Living with Fika, Lagom, Hygge, and More!
Make time for the things that really matter in life. Find balance and happiness in your daily life, the Scandinavian way, with The Scandinavian Guide to Happiness!There's a reason Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden 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 in your life.
£9.99
HarperCollins Focus Stats to Blow Your Mind, Junior Edition: 75 Kid-Friendly Facts You Won't Believe Are Real
Did you know that the average person will walk about 110,000 miles in their lifetime, meaning you could walk around the Earth 4.5 times? Or that all the ants on Earth weigh about as much as all the humans? Learn more totally crazy facts with Stats to Blow Your Mind, Junior Edition.Did you know that the average person will walk about 110,000 miles in their lifetime, meaning you could walk around the Earth 4.5 times? Or that all the ants on Earth weigh about as much as all the humans? Learn more totally crazy facts with Stats to Blow Your Mind, Junior Edition. This book has 75 shocking stats and facts across a wide variety of topics, including the environment, the animal kingdom, cultures, languages, nature, science, people, poverty, media, technology, and more, such as: Glaciers and ice sheets hold about 69 percent of the world's freshwater. Indonesia is home to some of the shortest people in the world, with the average adult measuring in at around 5 feet, 1.8 inches. Four babies are born every second. McDonald's sells 75 burgers per second Sloths can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes. Prepare to be amazed, and impress your friends while you're at it! This highly visual book presents knowledge in an exciting way, and is perfect for curious minds that love to learn. Make learning engaging and fun with this graphic collection of some of the world's craziest, kid-friendly statistics.
£11.99
HarperCollins Focus Stats to Blow Your Mind!: And Everyone Else You're Talking To
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.
£11.99
HarperCollins Focus Who Made That?: The Fascinating True Stories Behind the World's Greatest Inventions
Who Made That? uncovers the fascinating true stories behind the inventions and items that the world would be unimaginable without! From the computer to the coat hanger, the world is simply unimaginable without certain items. Stop taking all that you enjoy for granted, step behind the curtain of boring, everyday existence, and discover a vibrant realm filled with genius and illumination. Who Made That? brings together history's very best tales of innovation, providing endless inspiration to those who seek to launch their own revolution. With breathtaking storytelling and humorous, thought-provoking illustrations, Who Made That? brings you right inside the minds of humanity's brightest lights, helping you make your own way in the world.
£12.99
HarperCollins Focus A History of the End of the World: Over 75 Tales of Armageddon and Global Extinction from Ancient Beliefs to Prophecies and Scientific Predictions
The sky is falling with this complete collection of history's greatest end-of-the-world predictions!Every time you scan the news, it feels as though the world is hurtling toward its end. While no one knows whether that is actually true or not, A History of the End of the World makes it clear that this inclination toward apocalyptic thinking has been present throughout human history, guiding some of its most powerful personages and brightest minds. Paced by frightful prophecies, catastrophic predictions, startling science, suspenseful storytelling, and epic illustrations, A History of the End of the World frames humanity's obsession with the Armageddon like never before, providing valuable insight into our nature.
£14.39
HarperCollins Focus Sip and Sensibility
Raise a glass to iconic character and toast to their timeless tales in this charming cocktail book that masterfully blends classic literature with exquisite drinks.Three measures of Gordon''s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large, thins lice of lemon peel. Got it? James Bond knows what he’s about when it comes to cocktails. Now you can too with this collection that brings cocktails from the page to the glass. Whether you''re a fan of classic literature or simply love a good drink, this book is sure to delight. Each recipe is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the essence of its literary inspiration, resulting in a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and stoke the fires of your imagination. Inside you''ll find: Daisy''s mint julep in the Great Gatsby The famous James Bond vesper martini from Casino Royale<
£12.99
HarperCollins Focus The Scary Book of Christmas Lore: 50 Terrifying Yuletide Tales from Around the World
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?
£10.99
HarperCollins Focus Literature in 30 Seconds or Less!: 100 Classics Cut Down for the Pace of the Modern World
Build your brain and blitz through the canon with Literature in 30 Seconds of Less!, a collection of illuminating synopses of the great works.Bursting with illuminating synopses of humanity's great works, you no longer have to lower your gaze when the conversation turns to the classics. Instead, you'll be able to dazzle any dinner party, keeping everyone entirely unaware that English class was code for naptime throughout your time in school. But it's not just about impressing others. Each of these small windows is a perfect opportunity to fuel your imagination and discover the books that speak to your soul.
£9.99
HarperCollins Focus The Big Book of Britain: Cheers to the Crown, Churchill, Shakespeare, the Beatles, and All Things British!
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.
£14.39
HarperCollins Focus The Big Book of Paranormal
Prepare to be baffled with The Big Book of Paranormal! Dive deep into urban legends, creepy hauntings, and tales of the unexplained with the Big Book of Paranormal. Featuring over 300 hair-raising, spine-chilling stories around Bigfoot, the Loch Ness, UFOs, aliens, curses, ghosts, and unsolved mysteries. Otherworldly illustrations and images bring these mystical and frightening tales to life and make the stories creep off the page. This is the perfect gift for the little ghost-hunter or paranormal enthusiast in your life!
£14.39
HarperCollins Focus More True Facts That Sound Like Bull$#*t: 500 More Insane-But-True Facts to Rattle Your Brain
From cubed wombat poop to mantis shrimp eyesight, impress your friends with More True Facts That Sound Like Bull$#*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$#*t!
£12.99
HarperCollins Focus More True Facts That Sound Like Bull$#*t: 500 More Insane-But-True Facts to Rattle Your Brain
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!
£8.99