Kids ask the darndest things . . . and here are the answers—all in one helpful book! Anyone who has ever been a kid, raised a kid, or spent any time with kids knows that asking questions is a critical part of being a kid. Kids have curious minds, and they come up with some very interesting questions. Why do dogs bark? Why is the sky blue? Why do people have to grow old? Questions like these are how kids find out about the world, and these questions deserve answers. But the truth is, adults don’t always know the answers. The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) comes to the rescue! Written with a child's imagination in mind, this easy-to-understand book is a launching pad for curious young minds and a life raft for parents at wits end. It addresses nearly 800 queries with enough depth and detail to both satisfy the curiosity of persistent young inquisitors and provide parents with a secure sense of a job well done. It'll equip every parent for those difficult, absurd, or sometimes funny questions from their kids, such as … Why do people speak different languages? Why do I cry? How can fish breathe underwater? Can people who die see and talk with living people after they are gone? Why do women in some countries wear veils? How did my life begin? How does a vacuum cleaner pick up dirt? How does my body know to wake up when morning comes? With numerous photos and illustrations, this tome is richly illustrated, and its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness. A launching pad for inquisitive young minds and a life raft for parents who are at their wits’ end, The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) is a book that every parent needs, and every kid will covet!

Easy to use and friendly guide explains the inner workings of cells, bacteria, viruses, fungi, plants, animals, as well as evolution, the environment, DNA and chromosomes, genetics and genetic engineering, laboratory techniques, and much, much more. Gene therapy. Forensic DNA profiling. Biochemistry. Biotechnology. Cloning. Stem Cells. Super Bugs. Genetically modified food. Botany. Zoology. Sex. The study of life and living organisms is ancient, broad, and ongoing. Biology combines the Greek word for life, bios, with the suffix -ology, or science/study/knowledge of. The new, completely revised and updated The Handy Biology Answer Book examines, explains, and traces mankind’s understanding of this important topic. From the newsworthy to the practical and from the medical to the historical, this entertaining and informative book brings the complexity of life into focus through the well-researched answers to more than 1,250 common biology questions, such as ... What is life? Why do you need protein in your diet? Do animals suffer from allergies just like humans? What is the Human Genome Project? Why do birds fly in formation? Can the environment affect genes? Do bacteria get addicted to caffeine? What was the historical significance of hemp? How are seedless grapes grown? What is social Darwinism? Can animals suffer from psychological disorders? The Handy Biology Answer Book has clear, concise answers to questions on everything from genetics to the anatomy of cells to the emotional life of elephants, and from the environment and ecology to human biology and evolution. It’s a must-have for any student of life! With many photos, illustrations, and other graphics, this tome is richly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness.

Early civilizations, Native Americans, the English colonies, slavery, the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights begin the journey and lay the foundation for the United States of today. The Handy American History Answer Book takes a walk through the economic, political, and social forces, as well as the military conflicts that created, changed, and built the United States. It explains the impact of the biggest events, the wars, the presidents, lesser-known personalities and figures, sports, music, and much more. This handy primer is a captivating, concise, and convenient history of America and Americans. From Washington to the microchip, Columbus to modern terrorist threats, the Anasazi to the iPhone, The Handy American History Answer Book traces the development of the nation, including the impact of the Civil War, the discovery of gold in California, the inventions, the political and economic crises, and the technology transforming modern culture today. It answers nearly 900 commonly asked questions and offers fun facts about American, its history, and people, including What was the Lost Colony? Who were the robber barons? Was the U.S. mainland attacked during World War II? What was Reaganomics? How many states recognize same-sex marriages?

Vainglorious gods and irresistible seductresses. Beastly beasts and brutal warriors. Stories centuries in the making, and centuries worth of stories, are explained in this fascinating guide to mythology. Mythology forms our understanding of our origin, history, and traditions. They tell of our heroes and deities. Myths are vehicles for understanding religion, learning language, and understanding society, but they can often be difficult to understand and confusing. From a world of gods and goddesses to classic heroes and epic journeys to beastly monsters and irresistible seductresses, The Handy Mythology Answer Book answers nearly 600 questions and offers fun facts about the treachery and violence, the inspirational and epic, the supernatural monsters and heroic mortals found in mythology, including ... What is the nature of Creation Myths? How can myths be compared to dreams? What was the Egyptian Book of the Dead? Why is the biblical flood story so like the Babylonian flood myth? How and why are the Odyssey and the Iliad so different from each other? How is myth used in politics? What was the Metamorphosis? How did the Vedas contribute to Hindu mythology? Who invented Chinese writing? What was the Aztec pantheon? What is the story of the Cherokee Grandmother Sun? Who are some Native American tricksters? What is the story of Schrödinger’s Cat? How did Freud use myths? A glossary of commonly used terms and an appendix of parallel mythology exploring universal themes, motifs, and archetypes from across various cultures further explains the world of mythology. With many photos, illustrations, and other graphics, this tome is richly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness.

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.

Researching, writing, and citing. Hiring, firing, and selling. Texting, blogging, and posting. Proper grammar and usage for every occasion is explored through nearly 500 answers to common questions on English grammar and language. The first, best place to turn for an overview of English grammar! Whether you are writing a term paper, a scientific article, a résumé, a business email, a text message, or presenting information in the social media, The Handy English Grammar Answer Book is an engaging guide to writing with clarity. It offers fundamental principles, grammar rules, and punctuation advice, as well as insights on writing for different occasions and audiences. From a brief history of the English language to the deconstruction—and explanation—of the different parts of a sentence, and from showing how to punctuate correctly to how to organize a well-argued essay, this easy-to-use reference answers nearly 500 questions and offers fun facts on the English language and its usage, including ... How did language begin? How did English become a language spoken worldwide? What is Middle English? How did Noah Webster affect the English language? What efforts have been made toward reforming spelling? Are there any language universals? What is an adverb? What is a compound sentence? What is a dialect? What is jargon? What is a noun? What is a split infinitive? What is passive voice and when should you avoid it? Why are English words so hard to spell? What is the i-before-e rule How do I use commas correctly in sentences? When should I use parentheses? How do I use capitalization on the Internet? When do I use “that” versus “which”? What types of dictionaries are there? How do I find the right level of formality in my writing style? What is a sentence fragment? What is a misused modifier? Should I use its or it's? What is academic writing? What is the difference between primary and secondary research? How do I respect copyright laws? How do I use materials ethically on my own websites? What is plagiarism and how do I avoid it? How do I plan a structure for my term paper? How do I write an outline? How do I avoid writer's block? What is considered good essay form? How do I write business emails? Should I include personal data in a résumé? What is “netiquette”? How do I write an effective blog? For speakers and writers of all ages and skill levels, The Handy English Grammar Answer Book brings you straightforward explanations, tips on avoiding and fixing grammatical mistakes, as well as numerous examples of good writing. This helpful book includes an appendix of model papers, letters, and sample writing for every occasion—from business or social communications to academic papers or Internet forums. Appendices on irregular verbs, idioms, homophones, prepositions, frequently misspelled words, wordy phrases, frequently confused word pairs, and other common mistakes bring a deeper understanding to readers. There is also a glossary of commonly used terms, a bibliography, and an index.

Don't be mixed up about chemistry! Simplify the complex chemical reactions that take place everywhere in our lives with this engaging, easy-to-follow, question-and-answer guide! Where would we be without atoms and compounds? Gas, liquids, solids, and plasma? Acids and bases? Bonds and reactions? Matter and energy? The Handy Chemistry Answer Book covers the building blocks of life and the universe. The secret life of atoms, how polar bears aren’t actually white, why oil and water don't mix, and much, much more are revealed and explained. This informative guide covers the basics of chemistry (history, atomic structures, chemical bonds and reactions, organic and inorganic chemistry) to more advanced material (nuclear chemistry, biochemistry, physical and theoretical chemistry) by answering nearly 1,000 common chemistry questions, including ... What causes lightning? How does photosynthesis work? What are hard and soft Lewis acids and bases? What makes a fabric “waterproof”? What are the twelve principles of green chemistry? When did alchemists finally abandon trying to make gold? What is Le Chatelier’s principle? What do the different octane ratings mean at the gas pump? What is genetic engineering? Why is calcium important for strong bones? What is the 18-electron rule? Why does chocolate turn white as it ages? Chemical reactions that rule the world; their properties, structure, composition, behavior, and history are tackled and explained in plain English in The Handy Chemistry Answer Book. With many photos, illustrations, a few formulas, molecular diagrams, and other graphics, this fun, fact-filled tome is richly illustrated. A history of chemistry timeline, appendices on Nobel Prize in Chemistry winners, a bibliography, further reading section, glossary of terms, a table of physical constants, a table of conversion factors, and extensive index add to its usefulness.

From the biggest events and battles to the lesser-known warriors and women, a captivating, concise, and convenient guide to America’s defining conflict, its origins, key battles, people, events, and aftermath. The nation’s highest-casualty, bloodiest-war is still discussed, studied, acted out, and politically relevant. From the complex, turbulent and difficult events leading to the war, 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 answers more than 900 questions, from the most widely asked to the more obscure, such as ... How did the Mexican War influence Americans of the 1850s? What was Robert E. Lee’s connection to George Washington? What did people mean when they said Lincoln had the style of a buffoon and the “brain of a giant”? What is nullification? What is secession? How closely are they linked? What was so important about the Homestead Act? How did what happened at Harpers Ferry contribute to what would become the Civil War? What all-black regiment famously led the charge at Battery Wagner? Was there any precedent for the Siege of Vicksburg? Would North and South have been reconciled if Lincoln had not been assassinated? What became of Generals Grant and Lee after the war? How do Americans continue to commemorate the Civil War? Blending historical review with a little surprising trivia into an engaging question-and-answer format, The Handy Civil War Answer Book is perfect for browsing and is ideal for the serious military or history buff, students, teachers, and anyone interested in a better understanding of our nation's past—and present. Photos, battlefield maps, and a chronology of major events contribute to the understanding of the War between the States in this tome is richly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness.

Unraveling the Mysteries of the Night Sky. Fact-filled and image-rich guide to the principles of astronomy, its history, a host of fun facts, and helpful tips for the backyard or budding astronomers! We look to the heavens and wonder in awe. Shooting stars, constellations, planets, galaxies, and the unknown. What is out there? Who is out there? How did the stars and planets come to be? What does it all mean? The last few years have brought an explosion of information leading to serious consideration of questions once deemed crazy. Do other universes exist? Are there planets that could harbor life? From a neutron star to a black hole; from the Higgs Boson particle to cosmic strings; from the speed of light to gamma radiation; plus a universe of ideas and concepts in between, The Handy Astronomy Answer Book takes you on a journey through the history, science and the latest findings in astronomy. This book tells the story of astronomy—of the cosmos and its contents, and of humanity’s efforts throughout history to unlock its secrets and solve its mysteries. You’ll learn the answers to more than 1,000 questions on astronomy and space, including ... What is astrobiology? What is the Dresden Codex, and what does it say about Mayan astronomy? What happened between Galileo and the Catholic Church? What is the longest time that a human has been in space? What is a gamma-ray burst? How do I use a star chart to find stars and constellations? How do space and time relate to one another? What were considered to be NASA’s four great observatories in space? How do astronomers map the night sky? How many constellations are there? How has the discovery of exoplanets affected the search for extraterrestrial life? Could a moon found in a star's habitable zone support life as we know it? How will the universe end? From the basic physics and history of astronomy to using star charts, telescopes, and other helpful hints for the home astronomer, and from space mission programs to the greatest adventure of all—the search for life beyond Earth—The Handy Astronomy Answer Book includes information on virtually every topic related to outer space. Containing over 120 illustrations and photos, this book brings the wonders of our universe to life!

A complete look at every President’s who, what, when, where, why, and, how. From George Washington to Barrack Obama and John Adams to Woodrow Wilson, The Handy Presidents Answer Book offers a fascinating look at the lives of each U.S. president, along with a large array of factual, anecdotal, and historic perspectives on the American presidency. Early life and career are covered, along with important highlights from each presidency. The Handy Presidents Answer Book addresses more than 1,600 broad, fundamental questions on the presidents, vice presidents, first ladies, administration staff, families, campaigns and elections, major issues, wars, scandals, tragedies, and entertaining White House trivia such as . . . What three presidents died on the Fourth of July? Which president regularly swam naked in the Potomac River? Which president executed criminals? What president was called “His Fraudulency” because of the controversial way he was elected? Which president later became chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court? Which president was the first to appoint a woman to his cabinet? Whose campaign pledge was to bring about a “kinder, gentler nation?” The Handy Presidents Answer Book is a must-have reference in the truest sense of the word. Covering not just the individuals, but also the origins of the presidency, political parties, elections, and trivia, the book gives depth and context to the office as well as to those who have become president. With many photos, illustrations, and other graphics, this tome is richly illustrated, and its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness.