All Facts Considered: The Essential Library of Inessential Knowledge
For the bestselling miscellany market, an NPR librarian's compendium of fascinating facts on history, science, and the arts\ How much water do the Great Lakes contain? Who were the first and last men killed in the Civil War? How long is a New York minute? What are the lost plays of Shakespeare? What building did Elvis leave last? Get the answers to these and countless other vexing questions in a All Facts Considered. Guaranteed to enlighten even the most seasoned trivia buff, this treasure...
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How much junk is in space? What are the lost plays of Shakespeare?When was the Sack of Rome? How long is a New York minute?What building did Elvis last leave?Get the answers to these and countless other vexing questions in All Facts Considered. Noted NPR librarian Kee Malesky presents a compendium of fascinating facts on intriguing subjects ranging from history and science to the arts, packing every page with valuable nuggets of information mined over her twenty-six-year career—everything from the useful to the downright bizarre."There isn't a journalist born who hasn't been tempted to—as they say—not let the facts get in the way of a good story.'And that is the genius of Kee Malesky.'Inquire about a fact, and she produces a tale, as seductive as it is accurate. Sacred cows, plastic soup, star-crossed lovers, the roots of red hair.?Within these pages you will be treated to a taste of the vast sweep of all things Kee—something we at NPR have long savored simply by dialing the number for 'Library, Reference.'"—Renee Montagne, co-host of NPR's Morning Edition"Kee Malesky enshrines the humble fact in a way that is both instructive and enchanting."—Daniel Schorr, NPR Senior News Analyst"Every one of us 'media figures' who appears smart or well prepared in public has somebody standing behind the curtains, knowledge at the ready, covering for our ignorance like Marni Nixon singing for Natalie Wood. My knowledge-double is Kee Malesky, who makes me and everybody else at NPR sound brighter than we are.?With this book, a little memorization, and some practice on your knowing, slightly world-weary tone, you too will seem smarter.?But not, ever, as smart as she is."—Peter Sagal, host of the NPR news quiz show Wait Wait . . . Don't Tell Me!
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Introduction. PART ONE: ON MEMORY AND HISTORY. 1. Battles and Bigwigs. Ancient and Modern, Sacred and Civil History. 2. Deviations and Wonders. The Natural History of Land, Sea, Animals, and Vegetables. 3. Fish or Weapon? The Natural History of Crafts and Manufactures. PART TWO: ON REASON AND SCIENCE. 4. Links in the Chain of Being. The Science of God: Theology, Religion, and Superstition. 5. Letters in Plain Sight. The Science of Humanity: Thinking, Remembering, Communicating. 6. Sin versus Virtue. Ethics and Law. 7. Modus Mundi. The Science of Nature: Physics, Mathematics, Geography. 8. Ugly Bags of Mostly Water. Zoology, Physiology, Medicine. 9. The Wild Blue Yonder and What’s Below. Astronomy, Meteorology, Botany, Mineralogy, Chemistry. PART THREE: ON IMAGINATION, POETRY, AND ART. 10. Perfect Circles. Sacred and Profane Art: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture. 11. Rhapsodies in Bloom. Music Theory and Practice. 12. Love Songs and Lost Words. Literature, Drama, Narrative. Acknowledgments. Notes and Sources. Index.
\ From Barnes & NobleIn some ways, the most essential questions are the least fun. Knowing how to fix a computer or escape from a fire might be vital, but other conundrums are much more entertaining. For example, what is the origin of chewing gum or golf balls and who invented air-conditioning? Can you name the lost plays of Shakespeare? Do you know how much junk is roaming around space? What was the Great London Fog? The answer to all these questions, plus hundreds more are waiting for you on All Facts Considered, the brainchild of Kee Malesky, NPR's librarian. This 272-page compilation will you keep amused and your friends astonished.\ \ \
