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Secret Lives of Great Authors
In the tradition of Quirk’s bestselling Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents, here are outrageous and uncensored profiles of the world’s greatest writers, complete with hundreds of little-known, politically incorrect, and downright bizarre facts. Consider:
–Edgar Allan Poe was kicked out of West Point Military Academy.
–Louisa May Alcott was addicted to opium.
–W. B. Yeats paid surgeons to transplant monkey glands into his scrotum.
–J. R. R. Tolkien slept in his bathroom.
–Kurt Vonnegut managed a Saab dealership before hitting the big time.
With chapters on everyone from William Shakespeare to Thomas Pynchon, Secret Lives of Great Authors tackles all the tough questions your teachers were afraid to answer: What’s the deal with Lewis Carroll and little girls? Is it true that J. D. Salinger drank his own urine? Why was Ayn Rand such a big fan of Charlie’s Angels? The classics were never this much fun in school!
ROBERT SCHNAKENBERG is a writer living in Brooklyn, New York.
Posted by impart
Secret Lives of Great Composers
Secret Lives of Great Authors revealed the dirty secrets of Hemingway, Kafka, and Tolstoy. Secret Lives of Great Artists explored the bizarre behavior of Picasso, Matisse, and Monet. Now you can discover the dirty laundry of Beethoven, Wagner, Puccini, and others in Secret Lives of Great Composers-an uncensored biography of the world’s greatest musical geniuses. You’ll learn that
* Hector Berlioz hatched a plan to kill his ex-fiancee, her lover, and her mother
* Joseph Haydn had his head stolen by amateur phrenologists days after being buried
* Richard Wagner dressed in pink women’s lingerie
* Arnold Schoenberg suffered from a debilitating case of triskaidekaphobia-a fear of the number 13
* And much more!
With outrageous stories ranging from the ridiculous (Mozart loved fart jokes) to the even more ridiculous (the absentminded Mahler frequently stirred his tea with cigarettes), Secret Lives of Great Composers is a music lesson you’ll never forget.
ELIZABETH LUNDAY is a journalist specializing in music, architecture, and art. She writes the “Masterpieces” column for mental_floss magazine and lives in Forth Worth, Texas.
Posted by impart
The Crimes of Dr. Watson
Quirk Books is excited to announce the discovery of a never-before-published adventure from the pen of Dr. John Watson, steadfast companion of the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. As the tale opens, we discover that Holmes has vanished–and Watson has been framed for a grisly murder! Writing from a damp cell in Coldbath Fields penitentiary, the falsely convicted prisoner recounts the events leading to his arrest . . . and provides twelve removable, facsimile clues that point to the true culprit. Among them are:
–An article torn from a newspaper in California
–A puzzling manuscript ripped into several pieces
–A catalog of Victorian medicines and marital aids
–Plus a telegram, an arrest report, an empty matchbook, and much more
It’s up to you to sift through the clues and solve the thrilling whodunit. When you think you’ve identified the culprit, slice open the final signature of the book (sealed at the printer) to read the remainder of the story. With beautiful Victorian-style illustrations, The Crimes of Dr. Watson will appeal to mystery lovers of all ages.
JOHN H. WATSON, M.D., authored dozens of adventures about the great detective Sherlock Holmes (most were published under the name of his literary agent, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle). DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI’S crime novels include The Wheelman, The Blonde, and Severance Package (all from St. Martin’s Press). He lives in Philadelphia."
Posted by impart
The Sherlock Holmes Handbook
The first Sherlock Holmes adventure appeared in 1887, but today the detective is more popular than ever-witness the upcoming release date of Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. For every reader who dreams of solving crimes in turn-of-the-century London, The Sherlock Holmes Handbook features skills that all would-be sleuths should know:
* How to Use Deductive Reasoning
* How to Analyze Fingerprints-Without Computers
* How to Master a Dozen Disguises
* How to Survive a Plunge over a Waterfall
Readers will also discover a host of information about Holmes and his universe: How was the real Scotland Yard organized? Could people back then really buy cocaine over the counter? And why were the British so terrified of Australia? Packed with fascinating trivia, evocative illustrations, and a classic Victorian design, The Sherlock Holmes Handbook will appeal to “Baker Street Irregulars” of all ages.
RANSOM RIGGS is a lifelong Holmes aficionado and a regular contributor to mental_floss magazine. He lives in Los Angeles.
Posted by impart
Colorstrology
Discover every vibrant aspect of your personality with this fascinating blend of astrology, numerology, and color theory that offers exciting new insights about our lives and relationships.
Including 366 perforated swatches so you can take your birthday color with you while shopping for clothing or home decor
Inspired by the iconic Pantone color system, Colorstrology uses a mix of astrology, numerology, and color theory to generate 366 “birthday colors” and personality profiles for every day of the year. Each birthday listing contains:
- Personal Profile: Each day of birth comes with a personal profile that you can return to again and again to remind you of your true self, keep you aligned with your destiny, and illuminate your soul’s purpose.
- Key Words: Every birth color is united with 3 key words, which resonate with you and your core personality traits. These words are like notes in the musical score of your color, and when embraced, they can be useful in attaining your goals.
- Compatible Birthdays: Each day lists 3 compatible days, based on the principles of color, elements, planets, and numerological affinity. Enjoy looking up the birthdays of people you know to see what you have in common.
- Monthly Colors: Just as you were born under a sun sign, you also belong to a special monthly color group. Wear, meditate on, or surround yourself with your monthly color to feel more connected to your destiny.
Colorstrology is a fascinating new way to look at who we are and how we behave—a great gift for yourself or a friend!
Posted by impart
Color Me Fierce!
This hilarious coloring/activity book skewers the world of fashion with dozens of satirical challenges:
• Pick a stay-true color for Maddy’s lips!
• Dress Tatiana using the colors of seduction!
• Draw a huge engagement ring for Fiona’s finger!
• Give Nora a new post–plastic-surgery face!
• Help Sarah finish getting dressed so she can make you breakfast!
Color Me Fierce! invites readers to connect the dots, color by number, design overpriced outfits, conceal embarrassingly hairy legs, eliminate awkward weight, and more. Best of all, the book includes six glamorous crayons in the hottest fall colors: Nightmare Blue, Red Haute, Chartreuse, Black Is the New Black, Gold-Digger Yellow, and Positively Pink. Color Me Fierce! is the perfect gift for anyone who loves the world of fashion—and everyone who loathes it.
NIKE DESIS is an artist living in Philadelphia.
Posted by impart
