The Little Book of Scotland is a funny, fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic or simply strange information which no-one will want to be without. Discover the most unusual crimes & punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons & daughters & literally hundreds of other wacky facts. There is a mix of factual chapters & plenty of light-hearted little details which will amuse & surprise. A reference book & a quirky guide, this book can be dipped into time & time again to reveal something you never knew. ...

Bleeters come & bleeters go, they never, never stay -if it`s not raining nowmore rain is on the way. It`s widely reported that Eskimos have over 50 words for snow. Given the equivalent ubiquity of rain in Britain`s northern climes, it is not surprising that Scots have coined just as many (and possibly many more) expressions for the many different types of precipitation that fall from our skies. In this book Ron Butlin introduces 50 of the most colourful Scottish words for rain in humorous & memorable verse, imaginatively accompanied with illustrations by Tim Kirby. ...

Published in association with English Heritage, this fact-filled gift book is the perfect tribute to this iconic historical landmark, the best-known prehistoric monument in the world. With a history spanning 4, 500 years, the mystery that surrounds Stonehenge is still as forceful as ever. Many different theories have been put forward about who built it, when & why. Was it a place for studying the movements of the sun & moon? Was it a sacred meeting place? Was it a place of healing? The Neolithic stones attract over a million visitors a year & whatever their meaning for people today, Stonehenge is undoubtedly a spiritual & uplifting ancient landscape. In this small book full of wonders devoted to the enigmatic stones, you`ll find all the facts & figures you need to know: when the henge was built & why, who built it & why it was built where it was. You`ll learn about life in Neolithic times, what the Romans did for Stonehenge, famous visitors over the centuries
- both real & fictional, along with tales of the stones in popular culture
- from psychedelic rock music to feature films.

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The Little Book of Suffolk is a repository of intriguing, fascinating, obscure, strange & entertaining facts & trivia about one of England`s most colourful counties. It is an essential to the born & bred Suffolk folk or anyone who knows & loves the county. Armed with this fascinating tome the reader will have such knowledge of the county, its landscape, people, places, pleasures & pursuits they will be entertained & enthralled & never short of some frivolous fact to enhance conversation or quiz! A reference book & a quirky guide, this can be dipped in to time & time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage, the secrets & the enduring fascination of the county. A remarkably engaging little book, this is essential reading for visitors & locals alike. ...

The Little Book of Surrey is a funny, fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic or simply strange information which no-one will want to be without. The county`s most unusual crimes & punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons & daughters, royal connections & literally hundreds of wacky facts about Surrey`s landscape, towns & villages (plus some authentically bizarre bits of historic trivia), come together to make it essential reading for visitors & locals alike. ...

The Little Book of The East End is a funny, fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic or simply strange information which no-one will want to be without. Here we find out about the most unusual crimes & punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons & daughters & literally hundreds of wacky facts (plus some authentically bizarre bits of historic trivia). A reference book & a quirky guide, this can be dipped in to time & time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage, the secrets & the enduring fascination of the original home of the Cockney which is now far more diverse. A wonderful package & essential reading for visitors & locals alike. ...

How does the daisy express love? What did the heliotrope mean in the time of ancient Greece? Why do Christians associate the holly with Jesus? In Japan, what does the chrysanthemum embody? Why is the lily the representation of the Virgin Mary? How did the poppy end up being associated with sleep? Why was the hydrangea a symbol of betrayal for samurais? Since when does the narcissus embody vanity? This little book, illustrated with with beautiful retro-colour plates, explains in detail the symbolism held by 84 different flowers all over the world. ...

With 980 million passengers a year, more than 250 miles of track, literally hundreds of different stations & a history stretching back nearly 150 years, the world`s oldest underground railway might seem familiar, but actually, how well do you know it? Do you know, for example, who the Queen sat next to when she first went on the Tube in 1939? Or what they did with all the earth dug out to make way for the Piccadilly Line? Or indeed why it is that without the common shipworm, Teredo navalis, the Tube network might not even exist? Thought not. But now, with 10, 000 wacky facts at your fingertips, ” The Little Book of the London Underground” will tell you everything you need to know
- & plenty more that your probably don`t.
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Have you ever wondered how many servings of fish & chips are sold in the UK per year? Why women, on average, catch bigger fish than men? Or what the last meal served onboard the Titanic consisted of? If so, enjoy this second helping of ” The Little Book of the Sea” series, which gathers together facts, figures, lore & trivia about all things edible from the sea. From recipes gathered from around the world, to instructions for eating pufferfish (the world`s deadliest delicacy), to the official explanation of how Popeye the Sailor discovered the strength-enhancing capabilities of spinach, ” The Little Book of the Sea: Food & Drink” contains a smorgasbord of useful, useless, & altogether intriguing information. So tie on a bib & pull up a chair
- we`re serving up a feast of delicious details about the ocean`s greatest bounty: seafood!
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Take a photographic journey through the modern marvels & historical treasures of Tokyo with this informative, portable Japan travel guide. The Little Book of Tokyo is the perfect introduction to this enchanting, ultra-modern megacity & provides an immersive take on Tokyo combining Japanese history, photography & cultural commentary. It weaves a tapestry of the city`s many unique idiosyncrasies, offering strategies for exploring the High City to the Low City, Tokyo Bay to the top of Tokyo Skytree, & the most critical places & happenings in between, including architecture, festivals, & landmarks. It also beautifully captures the many inhabitants of Tokyo, painting a rich & multi-faceted picture of this capital city. A series of 50 informative mini essays are organized into four chapters: Tokyo`s Edo Legacy Tokyo Towns City Perspectives Spirit of Tokyo In The Little Book of Tokyo, veteran photojournalist Ben Simmons continues a quest he began over two decades ago to seek out & share his creative viewpoint & insider`s perspective. Small enough to carry while traveling in Japan, this book is an ideal travel companion for a Tokyo experience, whether you`re planning your trip, on your way, or merely dream of going. ...