Graeme Donald Libri

We've always measured the world around us, from how big things are, to how fast they go, how much they're worth and practically everything in between. But who decided how we do it, and why?

Is there any PRESTIGE in a STRAITJACKET? When does a CLIQUE become a CLICHE? And what has MORRIS DANCING to do with MAURITANIA? In this witty volume, Graeme Donald explores the intriguing links between words with a common origin.

Focusing on the overlooked figures in history, the narrative explores the lives of forty-five individuals whose actions significantly impacted well-known events and personalities. From Edwin Booth's life-saving intervention to the betrayal of Anne Frank's family, the book highlights fascinating stories, including a Hollywood star who influenced military tactics and Hermann Goering's brother, who aided Jewish lives. Engaging and offbeat, it challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of historical narratives and the unsung heroes and villains within them.

A journey through all 365 days of the year, examining some of the most significant events in history that occured on that day The abandoned Mary Celeste is mysteriously found drifting in the mid-Atlantic; Mozart is buried in an unmarked communal grave; and U.S. Prohibition is brought to an end. Although separated by centuries, these events all share the same December 5th. On This Day in History looks back at all 365 days of the year and provides short, riveting entries on the most significant events in history that occurred on that day. One single day could see Alexander the Great cozying up to Winston Churchill and Fidel Castro, or Cleopatra could find herself sharing a page with Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi. This book traverses continents and timelines to give its own unique perspective on these historical events. A wide variety of familiar and lesser-known events are represented, providing fascinating facts that are guaranteed both to educate and entertain any history enthusiast.

The Accidental Scientist explores the role of chance and error in scientific, medical and commercial innovation, outlining exactly how some of the most well-known products, gadgets and useful gizmos came to be.

When the Earth Was Flat tells the fascinating story behind scientific theories we once believed to be true, and shows how the way we view the world, and the way we think the world works, has changed completely throughout history.

A fascinating book that takes events and characters from history that are widely believed to be true, and reveals the falsehoods and untruths that surround them.

Fake History is an entertaining romp through the centuries, uncovering the fundamental inaccuracies and misleading parts of our past.

Exploring the intriguing myths of military history, this book challenges commonly held beliefs about famous figures and events. Graeme Donald delves into 101 captivating trivia questions, revealing surprising truths about historical icons like Paul Revere, Theodore Roosevelt, and Che Guevara. Each entry invites readers to reconsider the narratives they've accepted, from the legendary to the bizarre, including stories about Hitler and Tokyo Rose. Expect to be entertained and informed as long-standing misconceptions are put to the test.

Die Erde ist flach! Tabakrauch heilt Ohrenschmerzen! Im Gleichschritt marschierende Soldaten haben ganze Brücken einstürzen lassen! – Alles Quatsch? Worüber wir heute lachen, daran haben unsere Vorfahren noch fest geglaubt. Noch verrückter: Man hielt derlei Aussagen für wissenschaftlich belegte Tatsachen. Dieses Buch stellt eine reizende Auswahl der kuriosesten Wissenschaftsirrtümer der Menschheitsgeschichte vor und erklärt, wie es zu den falschen Annahmen kam, welche Auswüchse sie annahmen und wie das Ganze aus heutiger Perspektive zu sehen ist.