The Handy California Answer Book PDF Download

Author: Kevin Hile
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
ISBN: 157859622X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 465

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Book Description
Hollywood. Silicon Valley. The cities, beaches and redwoods. An enlightening look at the Sunshine State, people, history, and culture! 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 from Disney Land to the Golden Gate Bridge to Yosemite National Park. Learn about famous sons and daughters, including Ronald Reagan, Jeff Bridges, Tony Hawk, and John Steinbeck. Sports (college and professional) are illuminated. The government, parks, and cultural institutions are all packed into this comprehensive guide to the state of California. Find answers to more than 1,100 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 Russians come to colonize part of what is now California? How did the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad drastically transform the state? Does the ghost of Cary Grant still roam his favorite home in Palm Springs? Is the “Big One” earthquake inevitable, and are Californians prepared for it? How did Silicon Valley become a center for the high tech industry? Can you eat the snails in your backyard in California? Why do so many Californians want to divide the state into smaller states? What is a “Valley Girl” fer shur fer shur? Why did the Brooklyn Dodgers move to Los Angeles? Did anyone ever escape the island prison on Alcatraz? When you order your fast-food burger at In & Out “animal style,” what will land on your plate? A convenient place to go to look up the basic—and fun—facts about California, its history and culture, The Handy California Answer Book illustrates the unique character of the state through a combination of facts, stats, and stories, as well as the unusual and quirky. This informative book also includes a helpful bibliography and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.

Author: Kevin Hile
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
ISBN: 1578596238
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 700

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Book Description
Hollywood. Silicon Valley. The cities, beaches and redwoods. An enlightening look at the Sunshine State, people, history, and culture! 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 from Disney Land to the Golden Gate Bridge to Yosemite National Park. Learn about famous sons and daughters, including Ronald Reagan, Jeff Bridges, Tony Hawk, and John Steinbeck. Sports (college and professional) are illuminated. The government, parks, and cultural institutions are all packed into this comprehensive guide to the state of California. Find answers to more than 1,100 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 Russians come to colonize part of what is now California? How did the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad drastically transform the state? Does the ghost of Cary Grant still roam his favorite home in Palm Springs? Is the “Big One” earthquake inevitable, and are Californians prepared for it? How did Silicon Valley become a center for the high tech industry? Can you eat the snails in your backyard in California? Why do so many Californians want to divide the state into smaller states? What is a “Valley Girl” fer shur fer shur? Why did the Brooklyn Dodgers move to Los Angeles? Did anyone ever escape the island prison on Alcatraz? When you order your fast-food burger at In & Out “animal style,” what will land on your plate? A convenient place to go to look up the basic—and fun—facts about California, its history and culture, The Handy California Answer Book illustrates the unique character of the state through a combination of facts, stats, and stories, as well as the unusual and quirky. This informative book also includes a helpful bibliography and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.

Author: Richard Estep
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
ISBN: 1578597749
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 501

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Book Description
The story of the United States military is the story of the country itself. Both have grown and changed over time. Learn about the unique histories, traditions, weapons, leaders, stats, and fun facts of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force, and their roles within the military in this fun and fascinating guide! From the few hundred soldiers in its ranks when it was first established, to the over one million service members today, the U.S. military has grown in power and size over its 250-year history. Its organization and branches have changed to adapt to new technologies and national needs. The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book: Your Guide to the Whats and Whys of the U.S. Military looks at each branch of the U.S. military. It answers more than 500 of the most intriguing questions, including … How is the U.S. military organized? How do the branches work together? When did the Army Air Corps become the U.S. Army Air Force? What is the selection process like for Special Forces? Who was the Continental Army’s first Commander in Chief? How does the military rank structure function? How does somebody become an Air Force officer? What was the “Brown Water Navy”? What is the motto of the Coast Guard? How many bases does the military have? What is the Marine Corps Hymn? Did any Coast Guard vessels serve in combat? What type of aircraft is Air Force One? Who said “Retreat? Hell! We just got here!” Who were the Buffalo Soldiers? What are the Blue Angels? What is the most challenging USAF plane to fly? What is the origin of the Coast Guard “racing stripe”? Does the Space Force have any operational bases? How did a mutiny help establish the United States Naval Academy? What is the longest-serving personal weapon used by the American soldier? What is the difference between a UAV and a drone? What attack submarines does the Navy deploy? Who defends the United States against cyberattacks and other digital threats? The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force are uniquely American, each in their own way. Learn what makes each branch special in The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book! With more than 140 photos and graphics, this fascinating to me is richly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness.

Author: Patricia Barnes-Svarney
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
ISBN: 1578596815
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 594

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Book Description
A practical, accessible, and informative guide to the science of criminal investigations. Covering the fundamentals, science, history, and analysis of clues, The Handy Forensic Science Answer Book: Reading Clues at the Crime Scene, Crime Lab and in Court provides detailed information on crime scene investigations, techniques, laboratory finding, the latest research, and controversies. It looks at the science of law enforcement, how evidence is gathered, processed, analyzed, and viewed in the courtroom, and more. From the cause, manner, time of a death, and autopsies to blood, toxicology, DNA typing, fingerprints, ballistics, tool marks, tread impressions, and trace evidence, it takes the reader through the many sides of a death investigation. Arson, accidents, computer crimes, criminal profiling, and much, much more are also addressed. The Handy Forensic Science Answer Book gives real-world examples and looks at what Hollywood gets right and wrong. It provides the history of the science, and it introduces the scientists behind breakthroughs. An easy-to-use and informative reference, it brings the complexity of a criminal investigation into focus and provides well-researched answers to over 950 common questions, such as ... What is the difference between cause of death and manner of death? How did a person’s skull fit into criminal evidence in the early 1800s? When were fingerprints first used to identify a criminal? How is the approximate time of death of a crime scene victim determined? What is forensic serology? What is the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System? Can a forensics expert look at skeletal remains and tell whether the person was obese? How can a simple knot analyzed in the crime lab be used as evidence? Can fingerprints be permanently changed or destroyed? How fast does a bullet travel? How was a chemical analysis of ink important in the conviction of Martha Stewart? What types of data are often retrieved from a crime scene cellphone? Can analyses similar to those used in forensics be used to uncover doping in athletics? What is the Personality Assessment Inventory? What are some motives that cause an arsonist to start a fire? What state no longer allows bite marks as admissible evidence in a trial? What is the Innocence Project? Why are eyewitness accounts not always reliable? Who was “Jack the Ripper”? Providing the facts, stats, history, and science, The Handy Forensic Science Answer Book answers intriguing questions about criminal investigations. This informative book also includes a helpful bibliography, glossary of terms, and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.

Author: Gina Misiroglu
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
ISBN: 1578596742
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 641

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Book Description
A practical, accessible, engaging, and comprehensive guide to how American democracy works (and how it sometimes doesn't work). The stakes have never been higher: national security, civil liberties, the economy, the future of the republic. Yet few outside Washington actually understand how our government and political system should work, much less how it actually operates. On one level, it's a complex, interlocking world veiled in power brokering, bureaucracy, and big money. On another, it's the biggest, richest, most influential organization in the world, for better or worse. Understanding how modern America is managed and governed is more vital than ever, but television, radio, newspapers, and social media frequently aim to spin, seduce, and sell product rather than serve anything resembling the truth. Filling the breach and answering basic questions about how our very complex government operates and what it promises, The Handy American Government Answer Book: How Washington, Politics, and Elections Work takes a comprehensive look at the systems, people, and policies that comprise American democracy, providing much-needed clarity to the current political drama. This informative book traces the historic development of the government, the functions of each branch of government, and how they work together. It provides clear and concise definitions of who does what and why. Written in an entertaining, reader-friendly, question-and-answer format, The Handy American Government Answer Book deciphers the news behind the headlines through well-researched answers to nearly 800 common questions. You will also read about such fascinating tidbits as Why is America's democratic system considered so precious? How are shifting demographics related to the electorate? What can Americans do to influence their government? Did the framers of the Constitution place equal weight on the concepts of liberty, equality, and democracy? What does "checks and balances" mean? What generally happens when members of Congress act inappropriately? How many presidents have been impeached? How does a case reach the U.S. Supreme Court? Which president appointed the most justices? How do civil liberties differ from civil rights? How does the Bill of Rights protect individual liberties? Is measuring public opinion a new phenomenon in politics? What does the concept ?majority rule with minority rights? mean? Why has trust in the government declined? What does it mean to lobby? How are PAC donations and political decisions linked? Where do the party symbols of the donkey and the elephant come from? What is electoral realignment? Who pays for the campaigns of candidates? Did the electoral college ever vote unanimously for a president? This handy primer also includes numerous illustrations, graphs, tables, a helpful bibliography, and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness. In the midst of the overheated rhetoric of the moment and the fast-changing, crisis-dominated world, a well-informed citizenry armed with The Handy American Government Answer Book is the best defense against political and corporate chicanery!

Author: Ed D’Angelo
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
ISBN: 1578597269
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 515

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Book Description
Difficult philosophy made easy. The universe and our place in it, the meaning of life, the nature of justice and the good society, and the powers of reason. All these topics explored, questioned, and explained. Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Stoicism, Skepticism, Cynicism, Continental philosophy, ethics, government and governing, virtue, love, life, and death. Heidegger, Husserl, Merleau-Ponty, Derrida, Bertrand Russell, and Michel Foucault.... From famous figures in the history of philosophy to the deepest questions of religion to the relationship between knowledge and power, The Handy Western Philosophy Answer Book: The Ancient Greek Influence on Modern Understanding makes esoteric ideas and the jumble of names easy to understand, enriching readers’ lives and answering the question, What does philosophy have to teach us about life and society? Today many people experience a loss of trust in government and organized religion. There's increased social isolation and a rise in insult politics. Seeking an alternative, some have experimented with new forms of politics, social organization, and spirituality. All these developments have led to a great deal of confusion and puzzlement. Who and what can we believe, and how can we know it is correct? From its beginning, philosophy was conceived as a conversation or dialogue, and The Handy Western Philosophy Answer Book raises and offers answers to questions like these ... What is philosophy? What is metaphysics? What is logic? How is ethics different than morality? How did Pre-Socratic philosophy get started? What is the arrow paradox? Who was Pythagoras? How did Stoicism inspire modern cognitive psychotherapy? Who was the founder of Western philosophy? What is a harmonic sequence in music? What are the four cardinal virtues? Was pederasty condoned in ancient Greece? How, according to Plato, is philosophy like making love? What are the three parts of the soul? How does democracy degenerate into tyranny? What is the history of Alexander the Great’s military campaigns? How did Alexander the Great change the course of the history of philosophy? What did Aristotle say about the social nature of human beings? What is Aristotle’s conception of the soul? What is the soul of a plant? What is virtue? What is an emotion? Why do we need friends? Why did Aristotle believe that the state has a responsibility to educate its citizens? What did Aristotle think about money? What is the meaning and origin of the Serenity Prayer? What impact did the Epicureans have on the modern world? What was the museum of Alexandria? How did Stoicism inspire modern cognitive psychotherapy? What is the problem with the sentence “The present king of France is bald”? What is the postmodern condition? Philosophy is the pursuit of answers to big questions about the purpose of life, death, and existence. Philosophy is about how to reason and find the answers for yourself. Philosophy is a puzzle. You collect clues. You make connections. The Handy Western Philosophy Answer Book is a perfect companion for anyone seeking wider truths and happiness. It is an informative, accessible, easy-to-understand guide to the big questions about living. With more than 120 photos and graphics, it is richly illustrated. Plus, its helpful bibliography, glossary of terms, and extensive index add to its usefulness.

Author: Chris Barsanti
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
ISBN: 1578596556
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 823

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Book Description
The hustle. The bustle. The Big Apple, its people, history and culture! New York is the largest city in the United States. This self-proclaimed capital of the world is known as a melting pot of immigrants, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Wall Street, Broadway, bridges, bodegas, restaurants, and museums. The “city that never sleeps” is bustling with people, cultural and sporting events, world-class shopping and high fashion, and other tourist attractions that draw in millions visitors from all over the world. The Handy New York City Answer Book explores the fascinating history, people, myths, culture, and trivia, taking an in-depth look at the city so nice, they named it twice. Learn about the original Indigenous peoples, early Dutch settlers, the importance of the port, the population growth through immigration, the consolidation of the boroughs, the building of the subway system and modern skyline, and much, much more. Tour landmarks from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Rockefeller Center to the Stonewall Inn, and Central Park to the 9/11 Memorial. Learn about famous sons and daughters, including Woody Allen, Jay-Z, J.D. Salinger, and Donald Trump. The government, parks, and cultural institutions are all packed into this comprehensive guide to New York City. Find answers to more than 850 questions, including: Who were the first New Yorkers? When did the British invade New York? Why are Manhattan’s streets laid out in a grid? Why is there a windmill on the New York seal? How did New York help elect Abraham Lincoln president? What were “sweatshops”? Did the Nazis plant spies in New York? How did the Brooklyn Dodgers get their name? Who started the gossip column? What soured many New Yorkers on Giuliani? What is “stop and frisk”? How many trees are there in New York? Illustrating the unique character of the city through a combination of facts, stats, and history, as well as the unusual and quirky, The Handy New York City Answer Book answers intriguing questions about people, events, government, and places of interest. This informative book also includes a helpful bibliography, an appendix of the city’s mayors, and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.

Author: Samuel Willard Crompton
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
ISBN: 157859605X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 974

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Book Description
Red State. Blue State. Rust belt. Sun belt. East Coast. West Coast. A look at the state of the 50 states, from Hawaii to New York, and Alabama to Wyoming. An engaging look at each state’s history, capitals, flowers, birds, famous citizens and more! How did colonies, territories, and land purchases shape the United States of America? What differences—and similarities—are there between the states? What does each state bring to the union? When did each enter the union? What is their history, culture, and current population, and what might the future bring for each state? From sea to shining sea, The Handy State-by-State Answer Book: Faces, Places, and Famous Dates for all Fifty States explores the history, growth, politics, people, and more of each of the 50 states. It is a resource for learning about the events and personalities that influenced and affected each state, its history, government, cities, and culture. It is a convenient place to look for state facts and trivia. It offers an engaging overview of how a union of states became the U.S.A, the background and history of each of its 50 states, and the current state of each state. In addition to the state motto, nickname, and when it entered the union, The Handy State-by-State Answer Book answers intriguing questions about the people, places, and events thatlend a unique character to each state's boundaries, government, and places of interest, such as: How much natural variety exists within California? How important were—and are—the Beach Boys to the making of California’s culture? What is the capital of Hawaii? Are the Hawaiians themselves still in charge of their state and its economy? How many artists, writers, poets, and sculptors have lived in Massachusetts? Why was it so easy for the Pilgrims and the Puritans to take over eastern Massachusetts? Is New York a city? A state? Or a state of mind? How many artists and writers have attempted to do justice to the beauty that exists in New York State? Is Mount Rushmore the place from which to view the accomplishments of the state and its people? Who were the first inhabitants of what we call South Dakota? Is it true that the people of Washington—and, indeed, most of the Pacific Northwest—are more liberal than their East Coast cousins? Is it true that it never stops raining on the Washington coast? Wide-ranging and comprehensive with nearly 140 illustrations, this information-rich tome also includes a helpful bibliography and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness. A perfect companion for history buffs of all ages, The Handy State-by-State Answer Book: Faces, Places, and Famous Dates for all Fifty States is an ideal home reference and a convenient place to go to look up the basic facts and more of each of the 50 states

Author: David L. Hudson
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
ISBN: 1578598249
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 687

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Book Description
The U.S. Supreme Court, its decisions, and its nominating process for new justices are often in the news … but are just as often not well understood. Constitutional law professor David L. Hudson, Jr., explains the cases, processes, and important history with this in-depth primer on the U.S. Supreme Court. How has the Supreme Court justices’ thinking on gun rights, abortion, free speech, freedom of religion, and many other controversial issues evolved? What were some of the court’s most important and monumental decisions … and failures? Which justices have—and have had—the most influence on the court? Has the nominating process always been so political and bitter? Covering the history, nominating process, and court decisions on individual and other rights as well as a few fun facts, The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book: The History and Issues Explained by David L. Hudson, Jr., J.D. provides you with 600 answers to questions such as … How was the U.S. Supreme Court created? Under the Constitution, who appoints Supreme Court justices? Have any Supreme Court justices been impeached? Which president introduced an infamous court-packing plan in 1937? Which Supreme Court justice in the 20th century did not have a law degree? What are some suggestions for reforming the confirmation process? What did the Rehnquist Court decide in the 2000 presidential election? Why did Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissent in the Lily Ledbetter case? Which justice wrote that he couldn’t define obscenity, but “I know it when I see it”? When did the Supreme Court establish the so-called “Miranda Rights”? How did the Supreme Court emphasize privacy protection for cell phone searches? How has the Supreme Court dealt with the death penalty for juveniles? In what infamous decision did the Supreme Court regard African Americans as slaves and property? When did the Supreme Court invalidate a ban on interracial marriages? Why was the decision in Roe v. Wade not the leading story in many newspapers on the date of its decision? Why, according to Justice Samuel Alito, was Roe such a bad decision? Why is interpreting the Second Amendment perhaps more of a challenge than other amendments in the Bill of Rights? Who was the only Supreme Court Justice to have signed the Declaration of Independence? Which Justice wrote a book about the United States as a Christian nation? Which Justice wrote a book on civil disobedience and protest? What Supreme Court justice was formerly a member of the Ku Klux Klan? What is the nickname of the Supreme Court Building? Which justice was nicknamed “The Lone Ranger”? Analyzing controversial issues and various points of view, The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book sheds a light on the differing and changing interpretations of the critical issues before the court, as well as the confirmation process and some of the court’s most important justices. Richly illustrated, it also has a helpful bibliography, glossary, and extensive index. Thoroughly updated since it was last published fifteen years ago, this invaluable resource will help you understand the rulings and importance of the U.S. Supreme Court!

Author: Patricia Barnes-Svarney
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
ISBN: 1578596637
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 636

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Book Description
A practical, accessible and informative guide to overcoming and managing a wide spread affliction! Whether young, old, type 1, type 2, gestational, newly-diagnosed, long-time sufferer, caretaker or loved one, millions of people are afflicted and affected by diabetes. The CDC estimates 9.3% of the population in the U.S. and Canada have diabetes, with millions more with prediabetes. From scientific explanations of the affects of diabetes on the human body to monitoring, maintaining, exercising and eating right, The Handy Diabetes Answer Book provides detailed information on the research and science on the disease as well as coping with the burden. The Handy Diabetes Answer Book is the go-to guide for diabetics, prediabetics, their loved-ones and care-takers. It explains who is most at risk, and points to the differences throughout life stages. It looks at the science behind its affects on the sense, brain and the various systems of the human body. It demonstrates how to cope with—and live well—through food, exercise and life style choices. This useful resource shows how and why the disease affects the body, and provides glimpses of historical and contemporary figures with diabetes. It answers questions in plain English on all aspects of the condition. It also introduces the scientists behind breakthrough advances in care. Easy to use and informative reference, brings the complexity of the illness into focus and provides practical assistance for managing the malady through the well-researched answers to nearly 950 common questions, such as ... What were some early common treatments for patients with diabetes? What company was responsible for making the first commercial insulin? What percent of people have prediabetes in the United States? What are some ethnic, racial, or cultural groups that have more people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes? Has type 2 diabetes increased in teens and young adults? What are some other eating challenges that can affect an older person with diabetes? What are the early warning signs of type 1 diabetes? What is insulin shock? How can having pregestational diabetes affect a woman’s unborn child? Did writer Ernest Hemingway suffer from hemochromatosis? Can secondhand smoke affect a person with diabetes? Why does diabetes cause blindness? Why is it important for a person with diabetes to be aware of tooth pain? Why is there a controversy over how much salt should be eaten daily? How do “energy drinks” affect a person’s blood glucose levels? What are some tips for people with diabetes when they go shopping for food? What food additives should a person with diabetes be aware of consuming? What should a person with diabetes look for on a restaurant menu? Why is health care so costly for treating diabetes? Will type 1 diabetes ever go away? What recent study tried to find a way to reverse type 2 diabetes? What doll company is helping children cope with type 1 diabetes? What are some websites that offer a free diabetes risk assessment? Providing the facts, stats, science, and a little bit of history, The Handy Diabetes Answer Book answers important questions about managing and maintaining a healthy life. This informative book also includes a helpful bibliography, glossary of terms, and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.