The Devil's Dictionary (1906) is a work of satire by Ambrose Bierce. Although he is commonly remembered for his chilling short stories on the experiences of Civil War soldiers, Bierce was recognized in his day as a leading journalist and humorist who spent decades ruffling feathers and drawing laughter with his witty opinion columns, poems, and definitions. Toward the end of his career, he decided to compile these satirical definitions into a book,...

First published in 1811, this book is an extensive dictionary of contemporary slang and colloquialisms written by Francis Grose. Francis Grose (before 1731 – 1791) was an English draughtsman, antiquary, and lexicographer. Other notable works by this author include "The antiquities of England and Wales", (1784), "A glossary of provincial and local words used in England" (1839) and "The antiquities of Scotland" (1797). "A Classical Dictionary of the...

What are "snow worms"? Are there more moose than people in the Yukon? What is the meaning of the word "Niagara"? Where will you find the world's largest perogy? Does Elvis have a street in Ottawa named after him? What was Pierre Elliott Trudeau's favorite snack food? Which province was the last to shift traffic from the left-hand side of the road to the right? These are some of the questions that are asked - and answered - in 1000 Questions About...

In this definitive guide to resources, aspiring artists and serious amateurs devoted to their art will find scores of time-tested strategies to help them set up and work safely from a home studio; learn where and how to acquire appropriate art materials; develop their abilities with others as well as create art alone; explore opportunities for education in a wide variety of forms; overcome mental blocks; mat, frame, pack, and ship works of art; and...

From his earliest years and throughout his training as squire, a young knight was rigorously instructed in the use of arms. Competing in tournaments honed the skills of knights and squires alike, and provided a keen development of military prowess beyond the dangers of the battlefield. As improvements in defensive armour and weaponry were made, the elaborate decoration of arms also flourished. The trials and jousts of the tournament became more than...

Transform leaves, grass, and kitchen scraps into gardener's gold! This easy-to-use guide shows you how to turn household garbage and backyard refuse into nutrient-filled compost that can nourish your soil and promote a thriving garden. You'll soon be saving money, minimizing waste, and enjoying bountiful harvests. Stu Campbell provides an in-depth explanation of how composting works and offers clear instructions for a variety of both traditional and...

The author of The Dead Beat and This Book is Overdue! turns her piercing eye and charming wit to the real-life avatars of Indiana Jones-the archaeologists who sort through the muck and mire of swamps, ancient landfills, volcanic islands, and other dirty places to reclaim history for us all. Pompeii, Machu Picchu, the Valley of the Kings, the Parthenon-the names of these legendary archaeological sites conjure up romance and mystery. The news is full...

Genealogical evidence is the information that allows us to identify an individual, an event in his or her life, or the relationship between individuals. In such a process, we often hear or use words such as evidence, proof, or documentation. Brenda Dougall Merriman takes readers through the genealogical process of research and identification, along the way examining how the genealogical community has developed standards of evidence and documentation,...

Lady Chesterfield called Louis Eustache Ude 'whimsical, good-natured, exorbitantly vain,' but he must have been a spectacularly gifted chef, able to please the most sophisticated upper-class palates of the day. As expressed in his cookbook, originally published in 1813, when Ude was cooking for the Earl of Sefton in Liverpool (whose service he left when the Earl's son put salt in one of Ude's soups), his recipes definitely were not meant for everyday...

This classy and clever book has everything a beginner needs, plus it's an essential reference guide for even the most experienced sewers. Learn how to make different kinds of seams, hems, fasteners and bindings, as well as when and why to use each kind. Find your perfect signature style with fanciful finishing techniques like ruffles, pleats, ribbons and appliqué.