The History Of Europe In Bite Sized Chunks

An accessible and succinct account of the story of Europe from its ancient foundations to the twenty-first century European Union.

Here's your chance to introduce yourself to the full spectrum of world history.

Since ancient times, we have tried to make sense of our universe by observing objects far beyond our abilities to see or touch - from the smallest atom to the farthest star. This book covers, in chronological order, all the key discoveries and remarkable minds in each scientific field, including Aristotle's geocentric model of the cosmos, Darwin's theory of evolution, Newton's theory of gravity and Einstein's theory of relativity. Also included are fascinating anecdotes about the lives of influential scientists: learn how Ptolemy fixed his results to match his theories; Freud used cocaine to expand his mind; and Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, was banned from using university computers after being caught hacking. Revealing how human curiosity knows no bounds, and how the field of science has evolved over the last 2,500 years, this book breaks everything down into easily digestible sections to give a broad overview of the fascinating history of science.

For most people the details of the American Revolution, the history of Thanksgiving and the Battle of the Alamo are sketchy at best. However, help is at hand as Remember the Alamo? contains all the American history you learnt at school and promptly forgot, and perhaps some things that you were never taught in the first place. Broken down into easily digested bite-sized chunks, this book will teach you the basics of over 150 key events from Columbus to Nixon and from cowboys to cosmonauts. Remember the Alamo? assumes no other knowledge of world history and doesn't contain anything but the most salient points so that anyone can become clued up on the history of one of the world's most developed nations. Concise and informative, yet entertaining and engagingly written, Remember the Alamo? contains everything you will ever need to know about the United States.

Since the earliest humans walked the earth, the vast mysteries and wonders of the night sky have fascinated and beguiled us, as we've struggled to understand our place in the cosmos. Even after the last century, which saw important and startling discoveries about our own planet, our solar system and the stars and galaxies beyond, there remain more questions than answers. But those questions - What is dark matter? Are we alone in the universe? Is time travel possible? - provide a fascinating insight into the vastness and infinite possibilities of space that we're yet to determine. The sheer scale of the universe can be intimidating, but in this easily digestible book we embark on an incredible journey through all the essential astronomical discoveries, from the beliefs of ancient civilizations, through to the recent groundbreaking observations of the gravitational waves predicted by Einstein over 100 years ago. There's never been a better time to get to grips with the universe and this essential guide to the cosmos is the perfect place to start!

A "delicious" (Dorie Greenspan), "genial" (Kirkus Reviews), "very cool book about the intersections of food and history" (Michael Pollan)—as featured in the New York Times "The complex political, historical, religious and social factors that shaped some of [France's] . . . most iconic dishes and culinary products are explored in a way that will make you rethink every sprinkling of fleur de sel." —The New York Times Book Review Acclaimed upon its hardcover publication as a "culinary treat for Francophiles" (Publishers Weekly), A Bite-Sized History of France is a thoroughly original book that explores the facts and legends of the most popular French foods and wines. Traversing the cuisines of France's most famous cities as well as its underexplored regions, the book is enriched by the "authors' friendly accessibility that makes these stories so memorable" (The New York Times Book Review). This innovative social history also explores the impact of war and imperialism, the age-old tension between tradition and innovation, and the enduring use of food to prop up social and political identities. The origins of the most legendary French foods and wines—from Roquefort and cognac to croissants and Calvados, from absinthe and oysters to Camembert and champagne—also reveal the social and political trends that propelled France's rise upon the world stage. As told by a Franco-American couple (Stéphane is a cheesemonger, Jeni is an academic) this is an "impressive book that intertwines stories of gastronomy, culture, war, and revolution. . . . It's a roller coaster ride, and when you're done you'll wish you could come back for more" (The Christian Science Monitor).

This is the sixth of Terence Jenkins' successful series of idiosyncratic books about London and its inhabitants. The retired teacher, journalist and ex-London guide, gives another entertaining and informative collection of bite-sized chunks, which are perfect for a leisurely stroll around the capital. You may discover a London you never knew and meet people who will widen your horizons. Who was the Queen whose funeral was attended by thousands? What was one of the greatest of American crime-writers doing in SE 19? And who was one of Hitler's greatest fears? Read. Explore. Enjoy.