Why did London Underground once employ a one-legged man to ride up and down the escalators at Earl's Court tube station? What did Hitler plan to do with Nelson's Column? Why is London's only medieval mummy a prostitute named Clarice la Claterballock? How did a beer flood in Tottenham Court Road drown nine people? Where can you see a pair of Queen Victoria's knickers? Containing chapters covering London past and present; buildings and streets; famous and unexpected Londoners; arts, literature and crime; plus much much more, the 180 lists will amaze, amuse and inform. More than simply a keepsake for tourists, every self-respecting Londoner needs this book.
A new edition of the classic bestseller from the original authors, with additional material specifically prepared for Canadian readers by long-time "This Morning CBC producer, Ira Basen, and Jane Farrow, the author of Wanted Words. In 1977, a publishing sensation was born. The Book of Lists, the first and best compendium of facts weirder than fiction, was published. Filled with intriguing information and must-talk-about trivia it has spawned many imitators -- but none as addictive or successful. For nearly three decades since, the editors have been researching curious facts, unusual statistics and the incredible stories behind them. Now the most entertaining and informative of these have been brought together in a long-awaited, thoroughly up-to-date new edition that is also the first Canadian edition. Ira Basen and Jane Farrow have augmented the existing lists with fascinating homegrown material, and compiled lists specifically of relevance to Canadian readers. So if you've always wanted to find out how porcupines really mate, how comedy can kill and -- that most essential piece of knowledge -- how long the longest recorded nose was, this is the book for you. With contributions from a variety of celebrities and experts including Margaret Atwood, Mike Myers, Michael Ondaatje, Dave Eggers, Phillip Pullman and Charlotte Gray, this anthology has something for everyone -- and more than you ever suspected you wanted to know. A list of lists from "The Book of Lists: 10 Notable Film Scenes Left on the Cutting Room Floor 10 Afflictions and Their Patron Saints 14 Nations with More Sheep Than People 5 Trips to the Canadian Wilderness That Ended in Disaster 10 ReallyBad Canadian Sports Teams 14 Last Words of Famous Canadians Kurt Browning's 9 Turning Points in Figure Skating History 7 Trial Verdicts That Caused Riots 12 Museums of Limited Appeal 10 Unusual Canadian Place Names That Start with a "B" 7 Well-Known Sayings Attributed to the Wrong Person 10 Celebrated People Who Read Their Own Obituaries Sloane's Jay Ferguson's 10 Perfect Pop Songs 13 Possible Sites for the Garden of Eden 9 Canadian Sports Stars Who Became Politicians First Sexual Encounters of 13 Prominent Canadians Four Foods Invented by Canadians 1. Processed Cheese -- J. L. Kraft grew up on a dairy farm in Stevensville, Ontario. While working as a grocer he was struck by the amount of cheese that was wasted on wheels of cheddar when the dried rind was scraped off to get at the fresh interior. He resolved to find a way to use this "waste" product, experimenting with double boilers, preservatives and cheddar. Eventually he found a way of stabilizing the dairy product that has come to be known as processed cheese. 2. Frozen Foods -- The technology to freeze food quickly and transport it to markets far away was developed in Halifax in 1928. Within a year, "ice fillets" were being sold to fish-deprived Torontonians who loved the taste and didn't seem to mind the high price tag. Despite this, the fishing industry and private companies lost interest and quickly mothballed the project. In 1930, a feisty American, Colonel Clarence Birdseye, claimed responsibility for developing frozen foods and promptly made a fortune. 3. Pablum -- Invented in 1930 by Dr. Alan Brown, assisted by researchers Theodore Drake and Fred Tisdall. The add-water babycereal revolutionized infant nutrition, and, of course, became synonymous with food that was bland and mushy. 4. Poutine -- Although many claim responsibility for the crowd-pleasing combination of squeaky cheese curds, canned gravy and french fries, it is generally agreed that the first order of this regional specialty of Quebec was served up by restaurant owner Fernand Lachance in 1957. Many variations on the original recipe exist including one deluxe version with foie gras served in Montreal's Pied de Cochon bistro.
"This is a book of book lists. Not of the '1,001 Books You MUST Read Before You Die' variety but lists that tell stories. Lists that make you smile, make you wonder, and see titles together in entirely new ways. From Bin Laden's bookshelf to the books most frequently left in hotels, from prisoners' favourite books to MPs' most borrowed books, these lists are proof that a person's bookcase tells you everything you need to know about them, and sometimes more besides."--
For London lovers of all stripes, National Geographic London Book of Lists chronicles this ever-changing city from its ancient Roman origins to the present day. Organized with a minimum of organization, the 140 lists in this eclectic and hugely entertaining illustrated compendium cover the city’s best, worst, highest, smallest, first, last, and everything in-between. Among the many intriguing facts, stats, and snippets, you’ll discover: · Where you can find six old windmills within the confines of metropolitan London · Why the women’s restroom at an East End pub is especially popular with avant-garde artists · When a tornado razed nearly 600 houses and destroyed London Bridge · The address of the only London flat where the four members of the Beatles lived together · Why local children beat the stone boundaries outside the Tower of London with willow branches every three years · Where you can find London’s eight best waterfront pubs, seven greatest Victorian gin palaces, and ten most historic pubs · Which two famous London museums still show World War II bomb damage on their outer walls Royal palaces. Street markets. Stellar views. Cockney slang. Favorite meals of kings. Roman ruins. Secrets lost to time. With surprises on every page, National Geographic London Book of Lists takes you deep inside the city that never fails to fascinate.
Unofficial Doctor Who covers the past fifty years of Doctor Who, including doppelgangers, regenerations, Gallifrey adventures, highest-rated episodes, behind-the-scenes info, and loads more.
Covering over a thousand years of royal history, Matt Richardson highlights the triumphs, tragedies, and scandals that are central to this rich heritage.
The New England Gardener's Book of Lists contains essential information for anyone gardening in the unique climates of the upper northeast. This vital guide provides expert advice on choosing appropriate annuals, biennials, and perennials, tending bulbs, roses, shrubs, and vines, and selecting trees, native plants, ferns, grasses, and groundcovers for particular conditions.
The perfect gift book for every age, generously illustrated with evocative full-color images and striking black-and-white photographs. This is the ultimate book of lists that is sure to entertain and inform—a 1,000-page collection of fun and fascinating facts in a wide range of topics, presented in a wonderfully eclectic format that invites browsing, yet also provides an absorbing read. Featuring over 10,000 entries compiled by experts in each field, this treasure trove of facts, trivia, and bite-size summaries covering diverse areas of knowledge will delight the legions of fans of "best of" lists. Featuring 100 lists each in turn showcasing 100 "bests" covering a wide variety of subjects—including the arts, science, nature, history, sports, design, technology, and philosophy—this volume provides a breathtaking range of informed, accessible, and essential reading. Lovers of the visual arts will encounter fascinating insights into artists, paintings, sculptures, movies, and museums, while foodies will relish the best cheeses, luxury foods, restaurants, and legendary chefs. History buffs will become absorbed in momentous events, famous trials, and great warriors, and sports fans will appreciate facts on sporting heroes, great races, and winning teams. Richly illustrated, this compendium makes the perfect gift and contains an abundance of useful information, hard facts, and obscure trivia. Among the wealth of knowledge in these pages, the reader will find helpful summaries of great art, music, and literature as well as complex philosophical ideas, scientific theories, and history alongside a guide to the wonders of the cosmos, innovative economic and political theories, pivotal scientific discoveries, and game-changing technological innovations.
A revised and updated edition of the best-selling resource for art teachers This time-tested book is written for teachers who need accurate and updated information about the world of art, artists, and art movements, including the arts of Africa, Asia, Native America and other diverse cultures. The book is filled with tools, resources, and ideas for creating art in multiple media. Written by an experienced artist and art instructor, the book is filled with vital facts, data, readings, and other references, Each of the book's lists has been updated and the includes some 100 new lists Contains new information on contemporary artists, artwork, art movements, museum holdings, art websites, and more Offers ideas for dynamic art projects and lessons Diverse in its content, the book covers topics such as architecture, drawing, painting, graphic arts, photography, digital arts, and much more.
