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Why Do They Dress That Way?: People's Place Book No. 7

by Stephen Scott

This unique book, by a man who has chosen to "dress plain," describes the history and use of hats, bonnets, dresses, overcoats, and other articles of clothing used by the various religious groups who wear plain garb. This is the first comprehensive book about why more than 150,000 persons in North America wear plain clothes for religious reasons. Who are the various people who dress plain? Where do they live? Why do they do it? Where did the plain pattern come from? Don't they ever change? Answers to some common objects to plain dress! Will plain dress survive? Authoritative, yet gentle in tone, this book will be of interest to many readers.

Why Do We Say It?: The Stories Behind the Words, Expressions and Cliches We Use

by Castle Books

THE STORIES BEHIND THE WORDS, EXPRESSIONS AND CLICHES WE USE. How did lollipops get their name? What's long about a longshoreman? Why do we pass the buck? The answers are in this fascinating volume. The intriguing origins of hundreds of unusual words and expressions are here, organized in a handy alphabetical format. Useful for reference and fun just for browsing, Why Do We Say It? is also a great way to expand your vocabulary and enjoy doing it.

Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell?: Fascinating Food Trivia Explained with Science (Fascinating Bathroom Readers)

by Andy Brunning

FOOD QUESTIONS ANSWERED WITH COLORFUL GRAPHICS AND FUN, EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATIONSHave you ever wondered...• Why bacon smells so good?• Why onions make you cry?• If eating turkey makes you sleepy?• If mixing drinks makes a hangover worse?• How energy drinks work?• Why chocolate is poisonous to dogs?• Why coffee makes you more wired than tea?• Why cilantro tastes soapy to some?The answers to these baffling questions and more are revealed in this friendly, informative collection of trivia. Not a scientist? No problem. This book&’s colorful graphics and easy-to-understand explanations make these food facts fun for everyone.

Why Does Bright Light Make You Sneeze?: Over 150 Curious Questions & Intriguing Answers (Fascinating Bathroom Readers)

by Andrew Thompson

More than 150 new fun facts to delight, befuddle and amaze, from the bestselling author of Why Do Roller Coasters Make You Puke? This bizarre and baffling trivia collection with delight and intrigue readers, with answers to age-old questions like who was Dr. Pepper and what causes new-car smell? Written by the bestselling author of Can Holding in a Fart Kill You?, this new collection has 150 more curious questions and astounding answers. Perfect for any trivia junkie or fun fact connoisseur, this jam-packed book explains the answers to the questions you’ve always wondered, like why dogs have wet noses, why tornados never hit big cities, if vegetarians live longer, if it’s bad to “crack” your knuckles, and much more.

Why Dogs Can't Eat Chocolate: How Medicines Work and How You Can Take Them Safely

by Dr. Louise Achey

A pharmacist explains the science behind prescription medications—with helpful hints for avoiding adverse reactions and side effects. If you are one of the millions who take at least one prescription drug regularly, how can you stay safe when their effects can be so unpredictable—and occasionally even dangerous? Just as chocolate has a very different effect on your dog than it does on you, prescription drugs don&’t always work the same from person to person. In this book, a pharmacist and award-winning medical educator simplifies the complex and confusing information about pharmaceuticals, reveals the three &“Ds&” of taking medicine safely, and explains in a clear and entertaining way what happens in our bodies when we take a medicine or supplement—to help you make safer, smarter choices for your own health.

Why Dogs Eat Poop, and Other Useless or Gross Information About the Animal Kingdom

by David Haviland Francesca Gould

A third installment in the delightfully disgusting miscellany series that began with the national bestseller, Why You Shouldn't Eat Your Boogers and Other Useless or Gross Information About Your Body. In the New York Times (extended list) bestseller Why You Shouldn't Eat Your Boogers and Other Useless or Gross Information About Your Body, Francesca Gould uncovered everything you'd want to know-and a few things you'd rather you didn't-about the human body. In Why Fish Fart and Other Useless or Gross Information About the World, she scoured planet Earth for a rich assortment of odd and/or unsavory facts. In Why Dogs Eat Poop and Other Useless or Gross Information About the Animal Kingdom, Francesca Gould and David Haviland explore a subject positively rife with gross miscellany: the animal kingdom. Indeed, animals do the darnedest things and, in this vastly entertaining book, Gould and Haviland uncover a universe of strange, hilarious, and quite often disgusting animal habits, ailments, and practices, including: -Monkey-Faced Lamb disease; -farting snakes; -dino-chickens; -and a creature you've never heard of that eats with its eyes. Why Dogs Eat Poop is sure to delight any fan of the obscure and/ or grotesque.

Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze?

by New Scientist

What time is it at the North Pole? What's the chemical formula for a human being? Why do boomerangs come back? Why do flying fish fly? Do the living really outnumber the dead? Why does lightning fork? Why does the end of a whip crack? Everyone has at one time or another thought up odd questions like these, questions that are strange, intriguing, maybe even impossible to answer. Making your morning omelet, perhaps you've wondered why most eggs are egg shaped. Or maybe, the last time you walked on the beach, you felt compelled to ask why the sea is salty. Watching Polly sit on her perch, have you ever marveled at how she stays there -- even when she's asleep? Well, the readers of New Scientist's wildly popular, long-running column "The Last Word" thought of these questions, too, and weren't afraid to ask them. Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze? is a brilliant collection of questions and answers for everyone who enjoyed the international, runaway bestseller Does Anything Eat Wasps? Guaranteed to amaze, inform, and delight with topics such as the human body, plants and animals, weird weather, and our wacky world, it'll stump you, enlighten you, entertain and amuse you.

Why Don't Woodpeckers Get Headaches?

by Mike O'Connor

In 1983, Mike O'Connor opened the Bird Watcher's General Store on Cape Cod, which might well have been the first store devoted solely to birding in the United States. Since that time he has answered thousands of questions about birds, both at his store and while walking down the aisles of the supermarket. The questions have ranged from inquiries about individual species ("Are flamingos really real?") to what and when to feed birds ("Should I bring in my feeders for the summer?") to the down-and-dirty specifics of backyard birding ("Why are the birds dropping poop in my pool?"). Answering the questions has been easy; keeping a straight face has been hard.Why Don't Woodpeckers Get Headaches? is the solution for the beginning birder who already has a book that explains the slight variation between Common Ground-Doves and Ruddy Ground-Doves but who is really much more interested in why birds sing at 4:30 A.M. instead of 7:00 A.M., or whether it's okay to feed bread to birds, or how birds rediscover your feeders so quickly when you've just filled them after a long vacation. Or, for that matter, whether flamingos are really real.

Why Don't You Smell When You're Sleeping?

by Mitchell Symons

Did you know...that a 'zyzzyx' is a type of wasp?that the chances of being injured by a toilet seat at some point in your life are reckoned to be one in 6.500?that the collective noun for giraffes is the very apt a 'tower of giraffes'and that snail races start with the words 'ready, steady, SLOW!'Amaze your mates and fascinate your family with these brilliant facts, and more!

Why Don't Your Eyelashes Grow?

by Beth Ann Ditkoff

Read Beth Ann Ditkoff's posts on the Penguin Blog. Ever wondered what that small dewdrop thing is in the back of your throat? Or why you hiccup? Why Don't Your Eyelashes Grow? addresses every weird question about your body that you could think of--or didn't even think to ask. Prompted by the brain stumpers her own children and patients have asked her over the years, Dr. Beth Ann Ditkoff compiled a list of curious medical questions. In this book, she reveals the mysteries of the human body (gross, funny, or ugly!) to children and adults. With eye-opening questions, like "Why do toenails grow slower than fingernails?" and "Why do you have earwax?" to weird oddities, like "Why do some people have dimples?" and "Why do you get a headache when you eat ice cream too quickly?" Ditkoff also explains hilarious and bizarre anatomy "situations" that every curious kid wonders, from "If you put a pea up your nose, will it go into your brain?" to "If you eat Pop Rocks candy and drink soda at the same time, will your stomach explode?" With expert explanations throughout, Why Don't Your Eyelashes Grow? is an entertaining potpourri of fun factoids packed with real information.

Why? Encyclopedia: Brilliant Answers to Baffling Questions (Why? Series)

by DK

This perfect first reference book brings key subjects—such as science, geography, and history—to life.Lavish 3-D digital illustrations and an interactive question-and-answer format together create an engaging and accessible insight into several key topics. Why? Encyclopedia focuses on the subjects children actually want to know about. It covers all of the areas you would expect in a kid’s encyclopedia—including space, animals and the human body—but presents each through questions kids ask, such as "Why does it rain?". Answers are provided through a combination of eye-catching CGI artworks, enhanced photographs, and clear text explanations.

Why, Fly Guy?: Answers to Kids' BIG Questions (Fly Guy Presents) (Fly Guy Presents)

by Tedd Arnold

Come along with Fly Guy as he asks (and answers!) over fifty "why?" questions! Why do I have to brush my teeth? Why do cats climb trees if they can't get down? Why do elephants have trunks? And more! There are also science projects and fun activities -- so kids can use what they've learned in a hands-on way! With engaging full-color photographs on every page, content appropriate for a young audience, humorous artwork, and colorful comic strips starring their favorite character Fly Guy, this book is perfect for kids in Pre-K and Kindergarten! *This 128-page paper-over-board book even has eye-catching holographic foil on the front cover and spine!*

Why Hell?: Three Christian Views Critically Examined

by Steve Gregg

Most people believe that hell is the final state of the condemned following the final judgment. At the same time, many people cannot comprehend why God created hell for the unsaved. Respected church fathers held a variety of views dating back to the early centuries of the church. This book explains views on why hell exists: unending suffering, the annihilation of the unrepentant, and the rehabilitation of the lost. Most Christians are unaware of the scriptural basis for each of these positions. Why Hell? is meant to educate the interested reader without advocating for any one point of view. The following are some of the book's features:Biblical vocabulary of hell and positions held throughout early Christian historyPositive cases presented on three perspectives: traditionalist, conditionalist, and restorationistCritiques of each viewHelpful charts at the back of the book that summarize and cross-examine the arguments for each viewSteve Gregg provides food for thought for both trained theologians and serious Christian readers who want all the data and then consider for themselves the consequences of three Christian perspectives on hell.

Why I Trust the Bible: Answers to Real Questions and Doubts People Have about the Bible

by William D. Mounce

A Clear Guide to Help Readers Understand Why They Can Trust the BibleWe are often told we can no longer assume that the Bible is trustworthy. From social media memes to popular scholarship, so many attacks have been launched on the believability of Scripture that many have serious questions about the Bible, such as:Did Jesus actually live?Did the biblical writers invent their message?How can we trust the gospels since they were written so long after Jesus lived?How can we believe a Bible that is full of internal contradictions with itself and external contradictions with science?Aren't the biblical manuscripts we have just copies of copies that are so corrupted they don't represent what the original authors wrote?Why should we believe the books that are in the Bible, since many good ones were left out, like the Gospel of Thomas?Why trust the Bible when there are so many contradictory translations of it?If you find yourself unable to answer questions such as these, but wanting to, Why I Trust the Bible by eminent Bible scholar and translator William Mounce is for you. These questions and more are discussed and answered in a reasoned, definitive, and winsome way.The truth is that the Bible is better attested and more defensible today than it ever has been. Questions about the Bible are perhaps the most significant challenge confronting Christian faith today, but they can be answered well and in a way which will lead to a deeper appreciation for the truth and ongoing relevance of the Bible.

Why Ireland Starved: A Quantitative and Analytical History of the Irish Economy, 1800-1850 (Economic History Ser.)

by Joel Mokyr

Technical changes in the first half of the nineteenth century led to unprecedented economic growth and capital formation throughout Western Europe; and yet Ireland hardly participated in this process at all. While the Northern Atlantic Economy prospered, the Great Irish Famine of 1845–50 killed a million and a half people and caused hundreds of thousands to flee the country. Why the Irish economy failed to grow, and ‘why Ireland starved’ remains an unresolved riddle of economic history. Professor Mokyr maintains that the ‘Hungry Forties’ were caused by the overall underdevelopment of the economy during the decades which preceded the famine. In Why Ireland Starved he tests various hypotheses that have been put forward to account for this backwardness. He dismisses widespread arguments that Irish poverty can be explained in terms of over-population, an evil land system or malicious exploitation by the British. Instead, he argues that the causes have to be sought in the low productivity of labor and the insufficient formation of physical capital – results of the peculiar political and social structure of Ireland, continuous conflicts between landlords and tenants, and the rigidity of Irish economic institutions. Mokyr’s methodology is rigorous and quantitative, in the tradition of the New Economic History. It sets out to test hypotheses about the causal connections between economic and non-economic phenomena. Irish history is often heavily coloured by political convictions: of Dutch-Jewish origin, trained in Israel and working in the United States. Mokyr brings to this controversial field not only wide research experience but also impartiality and scientific objectivity. The book is primarily aimed at numerate economic historians, historical demographers, economists specializing in agricultural economics and economic development and specialists in Irish and British nineteenth-century history. The text is, nonetheless, free of technical jargon, with the more complex material relegated to appendixes. Mokyr’s line of reasoning is transparent and has been easily accessible and useful to readers without graduate training in economic theory and econometrics since ists first publication in 1983.

Why Knot?: How To Tie More Than Sixty Ingenious, Useful, Beautiful, Lifesaving, And Secure Knots!

by Philippe Petit

“Mr. Petit is the perfect teacher” in this fascinating, educational volume on knot-tying—an art and science that has held civilization together (The Wall Street Journal). Philippe Petit is known for his astounding feat of daring when, on August 7, 1974, he stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between the World Trade Center’s twin towers in New York City. But beyond his balance, courage, and showmanship, there was one thing Petit had to be absolutely certain of—his knots. Without the confidence that his knots would hold, he never would have left the ground. In fact, while most of us don’t think about them beyond tying our shoelaces, the humble knot is crucial in countless contexts, from sailing to sports to industrial safety to art, agriculture, and more. In this truly unique book, Petit offers a guide to tying over sixty of his essential knots, with practical sketches illustrating his methods and clear tying instructions. Filled with photos in which special knots were used during spectacular high-wire walks, quirky knot trivia, personal anecdotes, helpful tips, magic tricks, and special tying challenges, Why Knot? will entertain and educate readers of all ages. “In reading Philippe’s book we are cogently reminded that without the ability to secure a rope, or tether a goat, or make fast the sheets of a galley, much of the civilization that we take for granted would disappear as easily as a slipknot in the hands of a Vegas conjuror.” —Sting, musician and activist “His descriptions are clear, he deploys humor frequently and he makes his points with anecdotes that are colorful and memorable. Explaining the purpose and creation of knots and thanks to those flawless drawings Mr. Petit earns perfect marks.” —The Wall Street Journal

Why Manners Matter

by Lucinda Holdforth

You know what it's like: whether it's the leafblower blaring at 7am or the queue-jumper cutting in at the cinema, there's nothing like an act of rudeness to spoil the day. But why do so many of us get worked up about these examples of incivility? Isn't that just life? Do manners really matter, anyway? Yes! says Lucinda Holdforth in this passionate and elegant essay, drawing on history's great writers and thinkers to argue, unashamedly, that manners are absolutely essential to civilisation. Holdforth wrests the case for good manners away from the knife-and-fork snobs, the exclusivist bores and the corporate fakers, to show how courtesy protects our rights and freedoms, strengthens our communities, and adorns our individual humanity. She shows us that privacy can co-exist with neighbourliness, that intellectual freedom can flourish within agreed social rules, and that civility saves us from over-legislation. Bold, brimming with anecdote and brilliantly conceived, Why Manners Matter is as witty as it is timely, and as forceful as it is charming. This important yet thoroughly entertaining little book will ensure you never take courtesy for granted again.

Why Married Couples Don't Have Sex. . . . At Least Not with Each Other!

by Sara Dimerman

Do women really want less sex than men?If you're reading this book, chances are that you have questions or concerns about your sexual relationship with a significant other. You may be worried that you're not having enough sex, or perhaps that you're wanting too much. You may be concerned about the fact that you no longer seem to desire sex the way you once did, or that your spouse doesn't seem to desire you. You may be running out of excuses to put off a partner with a much bigger appetite for sex, wondering why you find yourself constantly relying on excuses and questioning why there's such a disconnect between the two of you. Psychologist Sara Dimerman has been counselling couples for twenty-five years, and of all the reasons that they seek her help, problems in their sexual relationship ranks high on the list. When digging beyond the clichéd excuses, Sara discovers the underlying reasons that each has for wanting more or less intimacy with the other; and the impact that their current state of union is having on their sex life. In her new book, Sara Dimerman explores patterns that crop up between couples and the problems that may be creating obstacles on their path towards bringing sex, sexual desire, and intimacy back to life and then helps them figure out what they're going to do about it. Sara also reveals why so many married men and women are willing to risk losing everything they've built together over the years by engaging in sexual relationships with others, with or without the consent of their partners.

Why Poetry

by Matthew Zapruder

An impassioned call for a return to reading poetry and an incisive argument for poetry’s accessibility to all readers, by critically acclaimed poet Matthew ZapruderIn Why Poetry, award-winning poet Matthew Zapruder takes on what it is that poetry—and poetry alone—can do. Zapruder argues that the way we have been taught to read poetry is the very thing that prevents us from enjoying it. In lively, lilting prose, he shows us how that misunderstanding interferes with our direct experience of poetry and creates the sense of confusion or inadequacy that many of us feel when faced with it. Zapruder explores what poems are, and how we can read them, so that we can, as Whitman wrote, “possess the origin of all poems,” without the aid of any teacher or expert. Most important, he asks how reading poetry can help us to lead our lives with greater meaning and purpose. Anchored in poetic analysis and steered through Zapruder’s personal experience of coming to the form, Why Poetry is engaging and conversational, even as it makes a passionate argument for the necessity of poetry in an age when information is constantly being mistaken for knowledge. While he provides a simple reading method for approaching poems and illuminates concepts like associative movement, metaphor, and negative capability, Zapruder explicitly confronts the obstacles that readers face when they encounter poetry to show us that poetry can be read, and enjoyed, by anyone.

Why Policy Representation Matters: The consequences of ideological proximity between citizens and their governments (Routledge-WIAS Interdisciplinary Studies)

by Willy Jou Vincenzo Memoli Luigi Curini

Elections are a fundamental element of democracy, since elected governments reflect voter preferences. At the same time, it is inevitable that policies pursued by any government closely resemble the preferences of some citizens, while alienating others who hold different views. Previous works have examined how institutional settings facilitate or hinder policy proximity between citizens and governments. Building on their findings, the book explores a series of "so what" questions: how and to what extent does the distance between individual and government positions affect citizens' propensity to vote, protest, believe in democracy, and even feel satisfied with their lives? Using cross-national public opinion data, this book is an original scholarly research which develops theoretically grounded hypotheses to test the effect of citizen-government proximity on three dependent variables. After introducing the data (both public opinion surveys and country-level statistics) and the methodology to be used in subsequent chapters, one chapter each is devoted to how proximity or the absence thereof affects political participation, satisfaction with democracy, and happiness. Differences in political attitudes and behavior between electoral winners and losers, and ideological moderates and radicals, are also discussed in depth.

Why Sh*t Happens: The Science of a Really Bad Day

by Peter J. Bentley

Have you ever fallen victim to Murphy's law? Sometimes bad things just happen. In Why Sh*t Happens, esteemed British scientist Peter J. Bentley takes readers on an informative and amusing tour through the least lucky, most accident-prone day of their lives. From sleeping through the alarm clock and burning breakfast to getting caught in the rain and navigating a slippery road, Bentley brilliantly explores disaster and mishap on a molecular level. In the process, he explains the science behind each accident, arming readers with the knowledge to understand what went wrong and how they can steer clear of future harm.Science is respected, trusted, and according to Bentley, largely misunderstood. Why Sh*t Happens urges readers to arm themselves with the power of science in order to better understand the world around them. When a car engine is damaged by the wrong gasoline or a computer is attacked by a virus, science is not to blame, but rather can provide an explanation of what happened.In a text that exudes charm and wit, Bentley reveals the causes behind a wide spectrum of mishaps, including why that razor nick won't stop bleeding, why metal sparks in the microwave, what makes chewing gum stick in hair, and why milk tastes sour when it goes bad.Sh*t will always happen, but now readers will know exactly why. Enter, if you dare, the world of everyday disasters.

Why Smart Teens Hurt: Helping Adolescents Cope with the Consequences of Intelligence

by Eric Maisel

Get the Inside Scoop on Teenage PsychologyOur teens are our future so it’s only right that we invest in understanding them! This guide book provides solutions to improve teenage issues and interpersonal communication. Helpful guide to understanding teenage psychology. In Why Smart Teens Hurt, Dr. Eric Maisel, best-selling author of Why Smart People Hurt, and one of the world’s leading experts on the issues of childhood, shares a unique exploration of the teen problems adolescents face. Maisel guides us on what it’s like to inhabit the racing, often troubled realm of teenage psychology, and he provides powerful strategies to help parents and smart teens alike.Healthy ways to address teenage issues. Teen parenting books usually look at teenagers as objects. But Why Smart Teens Hurt empowers parents to be empathetic towards their teens while also understanding the struggles of adolescence and teenage behavior. Parents will gain a new level of understanding and a new appreciation of their smart teen’s reality.Inside, you’ll find:A comprehensive breakdown of teenage psychologyStrategies and solutions to help your smart teen reach their full potentialA uniquely crafted reading experience for both parents and teensIf you liked books such as Smart but Scattered Teens, Focus and Thrive, or Scattered to Focused, you’ll love Why Smart Teens Hurt.

Why Spacemen Can't Burp...

by Mitchell Symons

The latest collection of terrific trivia from the bestselling author of WHY EATING BOGEYS IS GOOD FOR YOU and double Blue Peter Best Book with Facts Award winner.The answers to these incredible questions will boggle your brain!Can rocks have snot?Why do doughnuts have holes in the middle?Could a human child ever be raised by animals?What have hyenas got to laugh about?And why is it impossible to belch after blast-off?!

Why Sports Morally Matter (Routledge Critical Studies in Sport)

by William Morgan

When we accept that advertisers and sponsors dictate athletic schedules, that success in sport is measured by revenue, that athletes’ loyalties lie with their commercial agents instead of teams and that game rules exist to be tested and broken in the pursuit of a win, what does our regard for sport say about the moral and political well-being of our society? Why Sports Morally Matter is a deeply critical examination of pressing ethical issues in sports – and in society as a whole. Exploring the broad historical context of modern America, William J. Morgan argues that the current state of sports is a powerful indictment of our wealth-driven society and hyper-individualistic way of life. Taking on critics from all sides of the political debate, Morgan makes the case that, despite the negating effect of free market values, sport still possesses important features that encourage social, moral and political values crucial to the flourishing of a democratic polity. It is this potential to transform society and the individual that makes sport a key battleground in the struggle for the moral soul of twenty-first century America.

Why There's Antifreeze in Your Toothpaste: The Chemistry of Household Ingredients

by Simon Quellen Field

A Selection of the Scientific American Book ClubExplaining why antifreeze is a component of toothpaste and how salt works in shampoo, this fascinating handbook delves into the chemistry of everyday household products. Decoding more than 150 cryptic ingredients, the guide explains each component's structural formula, offers synonymous names, and describes its common uses. This informative resource can serve curious readers as a basic primer to commercial chemistry or as an indexed reference for specific compounds found on a product label. Grouped according to type, these chemical descriptions will dissolve common misunderstandings and help make consumers more product savvy.

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