The Handy Civil War Answer Book

Heroism and sacrifice. Brutality and folly. Great leaders, great villains, pivotal moments, and events. Take a captivating, concise, and convenient look at how the world, the United States, and the lives we lead today have been changed by war and the military! Military history is a fascinating, complex, and often contradictory subject. War and fighting between tribes, clans, groups, and countries has been with us forever. Wars cause political, social, and technological upheavals. From early Greeks and Romans to the great conquering militaries of the past, continuing on through the civil wars and world wars that shaped the boundaries of today’s nations, and to the modern weapons, technologies, guerrilla warfare, and terrorism currently reported in the nightly news, The Handy Military History Answer Book looks at the who, the what, the why, and the how of conflicts throughout history. It answers over 1,100 questions, from the most widely asked to the more obscure, such as: Who cast the first stone (of human history)? Is there anything to the story of Ancient Troy? Could Alexander the Great have conquered the early Roman Republic? How many men, and auxiliary fighters, were there in a Roman legion? Which precious metal did the Vikings prefer above all others? Do we even have his name—Genghis Khan—right? Where did Richard the Lion-Heart get his nickname? How long did it take to learn how to use the longbow? Was Napoleon really not French? When did George Washington have to alter all his plans: and how did he go about making the change? What signals did Paul Revere watch for on the evening of April 18, 1775? How many people died at the Siege of Fort Sumter? What was the worst day of the Civil War, in the Far West? Where was the world's first submarine deployed? When were balloons first deployed in warfare? Where did the name "Uncle Sam" come from? What did Rasputin have to say about the approach of the First World War? Why on earth did Hitler code-name his invasion of Russia for a German emperor who drowned? How close did Hitler come to victory at Moscow in 1941? What ten days decided the outcome of World War II? What was so special about the B-24? When did the Cold War commence? What role will technology like the Internet play in future warfare? How significant—to the United States—is the rise in China’s military power? The weapons, leaders, soldiers, battles, tactics, strategies, blunders, technologies, and outcomes are all examined in The Handy Military History Answer Book. It investigates everything from the smallest miscalculations and maneuvers to the biggest invasions and battles, as well as the cutting-edge technologies and firepower that led to victories and helped change the world! This powerful primer on the military also includes a helpful bibliography and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.

Battles, Blood, Honor, and Heroism The nation’s highest-casualty, bloodiest war is still discussed, studied, and acted out. It continues to affect the political boundaries of today. From the economic, political, and social forces behind the conflict, through the first shots fired at Fort Sumter, the military strategies, battles, and people, and from Lee’s surrender at Appomattox to the Southern reconstruction and modern aftermath, The Handy Civil War Answer Book is a captivating, concise, and convenient history of America’s defining conflict. The complex, turbulent, and difficult events leading to the war are explained. The genius and folly of Union and Confederate generals, major battles, and the experiences of lesser-known soldiers and civilians are examined. Blending historical review with a little surprising trivia into an engaging question-and-answer format, it is perfect for browsing and answers more than 900 questions, including … • How did the Mexican–American War influence 1850s America? • What was Robert E. Lee’s connection to George Washington? • What was so important about the Homestead Act? • Would North and South have been reconciled if Lincoln had not been assassinated? • What became of Generals Grant and Lee after the war?

Battles, Blood, Honor, and Heroism The nation’s highest-casualty, bloodiest war is still discussed, studied, and acted out. It continues to affect the political boundaries of today. From the economic, political, and social forces behind the conflict, through the first shots fired at Fort Sumter, the military strategies, battles, and people, and from Lee’s surrender at Appomattox to the Southern reconstruction and modern aftermath, The Handy Civil War Answer Book is a captivating, concise, and convenient history of America’s defining conflict. The complex, turbulent, and difficult events leading to the war are explained. The genius and folly of Union and Confederate generals, major battles, and the experiences of lesser-known soldiers and civilians are examined. Blending historical review with a little surprising trivia into an engaging question-and-answer format, it is perfect for browsing and answers more than 900 questions, including … • How did the Mexican–American War influence 1850s America? • What was Robert E. Lee’s connection to George Washington? • What was so important about the Homestead Act? • Would North and South have been reconciled if Lincoln had not been assassinated? • What became of Generals Grant and Lee after the war?

California is the country's most populous state. The home of the entertainment industry and silicon valley. It's known for its beaches, its redwood forests, and as the “land of fruit and nuts.” Its people, industries, politicians, climate, and allure captivates the world and draws millions of visitors each year. Exploring the state’s fascinating history, people, myths, culture, and trivia, The Handy California Answer Book takes an in-depth look look at this fascinating, quirky, and diverse state. Learn about the original Indigenous peoples, the Spanish explorers, the independence from Spain, the secession from Mexico, the Gold Rush, the building of the Los Angeles Aqueducts, the earthquakes, the water shortages, and much, much more. Tour landmarks, learn about famous sons and daughters, the sports teams, and the unique character of the state through a combination of facts, stats, and history, as well as the unusual and quirky. This comprehensive guide to California answers more than 1,100 intriguing questions, including How did “Eureka!” become the state motto? Why is a grizzly bear on the state flag when no grizzlies exist in California? Was the coast of California ever attacked by pirates? How did Silicon Valley become a center for the high tech industry?

Whether it's called Beantown, The Olde Towne, Titletown, The Cradle of Liberty, The Athens of America, The Puritan City, The City on a Hill, or any of its other obscure or oft-repeated nicknames, Boston has a long and varied history. Its universities and hospitals lead the nation, and its sports teams, politicians, and colloquialisms continue to captivate. Exploring this city’s fascinating history, people, myths, culture, and trivia, The Handy Boston Answer Book takes an in-depth look at one of America's oldest major cities. Learn about the city’s founding by Puritan settlers, the Boston Massacre, the Great Fire, the opening of the T, the busing desegregation strife, the Big Dig, the local sports fanatics, ethnic enclaves, and the surrounding suburbs, notable sons and daughters, and more are all packed into this comprehensive guide to the city of Boston. Through facts, stats, and history, as well as the unusual and quirky, it answers 1,200 fascinating questions, including What cities and towns comprise the “Greater Boston” region? What do Samuel Adams, James Taylor, Benjamin Franklin, and Taylor Schilling have in common? Are “Tonics” and “Whoopie Pies” available at most “Spas”? What do the colored lights on top of the old Hancock signal?

Stick handlers without helmets rushing goaltenders without masks on rinks lacking side boards gives way to a faster game with bigger players and overtime shootouts. The National Hockey League goes from a Canadian and regional sport to one that is watched by more fans throughout North America than ever. Hockey may have changed, but its essence and appeal remain. The Handy Hockey Answer Book, written by hockey historian, broadcaster, author and self-professed Hockey Maven, Stan Fischler, brings the game to life through exciting game action, vital stats, players, rules, and more. It traces the early spread of hockey, Lord Stanley's involvement, and the birth of the cup, then explains the rules, the equipment, strategies, and positioning, before following the ups and downs of the National Hockey League and its teams and players. From the traditions, all-time cup- and award-winners and record-breakers to the modern game, The Handy Hockey Answer Book answers more than 800 questions on the game, greats, goals, and growing popularity of hockey, including … Where does hockey come from? What was the Stanley Cup first called? Where did the name “Patrick Division” come from and why are the Patrick brothers important? When was six-man hockey invented and who was its creator? What is a “Zamboni” and after whom was it named? What was the Gretzky Rule? How did the hockey puck develop its present shape? Which is the oldest current NHL team? Why is the term “Original Six” a misnomer? Which Hall of Famer trained on champagne? Who holds the Montreal Canadien’s franchise record for career goals? Who centered Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsey on Detroit’s legendary “Production Line.” Which team was the first to come back from being down 3-0 in a series. Who played right wing on a line with Phil Esposito for the Bruins in the late 60s and 70s? Who was the first European player to lead the league in scoring? What NHL team won and loss the Stanley Cup on the same day? Which hockey player was supposed to be “kidnapped” as part of a scheme to increase attendance at New York Rangers games? Did an NHL club ever play all its “home” games of the Stanley Cup finals on the road? A glossary of terms and a bibliography for further reading round out this helpful primer on the sport.

We all have one. The human body. But do we really know all of its parts and how they work? The Handy Anatomy Answer Book is the key to unlocking this door to a wondrous world. Covering all the major body systems—integumentary (skin, hair, etc.), skeletal, muscular, nervous, sensory, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive, and, for good measure, adds chapters on growth and development and how science can help and augment the body—it follows the fascinating maze of organ systems and shows how much the body does routinely just to let you move, breathe, eat, and fight off disease. This handy reference helps make the language of anatomy—as well as physiology and pathology—more understandable and less intimidating. Fascinating trivia, plus serious facts, combine to answer over 1,200 questions about the human body, including What is Gray’s Anatomy? What does it mean to have 20/20 vision? Why is blood sticky? How does exercise affect the heart? What is “gluten intolerance”? Is urine always yellow in color? What are the seven warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease? What is a reflex? How much sleep does an individual need? Can humans use organs from other animals for transplants?

You are what you eat ... and you should eat brilliantly! Your fitness, health, and well-being depend on food and proper nutrition. Yet, knowing what is in the foods we eat, understanding the differences between good and bad fat, learning which foods are good sources of vitamins, keeping up on the latest scientific discoveries, or discerning the effectiveness of different diets can be challenging. To help answer these questions there's The Handy Nutrition Answer Book. Additionally, the book scrutinizes the pros, cons, and effectiveness of the biggest, most popular, and trendiest diets on the market today. From the newsworthy to the practical and from the medical to the historical, this entertaining and informative book brings the complexity of food and healthy nutrition into focus through the well-researched answers to nearly 900 common questions, such as … How do our muscles obtain energy? What is a calorie in terms of nutrition? How are calories measured? Why do vegetarians need to know about complementary proteins? How does a person interpret how much fat to eat based on the daily calories they want to consume? What is omega-9? How have trans fats in foods changed in the past—and how might they change in the future? Can dense carbohydrates that are high in fat and calories affect our sleep? What are some “healthier” natural sweeteners? What recent study indicated that red wine and dark chocolate are not as healthy as we think? What are some of the worst ways to cook vegetables that destroy nutrients? What is the Maillard reaction? What recent study showed how beer can help grilled foods? How does human taste work? Does the percent of water in our system change as we age? What’s the difference between gluten sensitivity, celiac disease, and wheat intolerance? What “sugar” can act like a laxative? What did the ancient Roman soldiers eat? Why did so many men die from starvation during the American Civil War? What does the word “natural” mean on a label? Why will food labels change in the near future? What are genetically modified organisms (GMOs)? Is there a controversy concerning farmed fish versus wild-caught fish? What is irradiation of food? Why is high fructose corn syrup so controversial? How can diet help with premenopausal symptoms in women? Can soy products lower my cholesterol? Why do some people seem to eat whatever they want—and still lose or maintain their weight? This handy reference examines, explains, and traces the basics of nutrition, the value of vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, the science behind food-processing, the modern food industry, nutritional misconceptions throughout history, and so much more! It explains how to read food labels, what to watch for in food additives, and it also includes a helpful bibliography and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.