Bücher der Reihe The Handy Answer Book Series

The story of the United States military is the story of the countryitself. Both have grown and changed over time. Learn about the uniquehistories, traditions, weapons, leaders, stats, and fun facts of theArmy, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force,and their roles within the military in this fun and fascinatingguide! 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 hasgrown in power and size over its 250-year history. Its organizationand branches have changed to adapt to new technologies and nationalneeds. The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book: Your Guide to theWhats and Whys of the U.S. Military looks at each branch ofthe U.S. military. It answers more than 500 of the most intriguing questions,including Howis the U.S. military organized?Howdo the branches work together?Whendid the Army Air Corps become the U.S. Army Air Force?Whatis the selection process like for Special Forces?Whowas the Continental Armys first Commander in Chief?Howdoes the military rank structure function?Howdoes somebody become an Air Force officer?Whatwas the Brown Water Navy?Whatis the motto of the Coast Guard?Howmany bases does the military have?Whatis the Marine Corps Hymn?Didany Coast Guard vessels serve in combat?Whattype of aircraft is Air Force One?Whosaid Retreat? Hell! We just got here!Whowere the Buffalo Soldiers?Whatare the Blue Angels?Whatis the most challenging USAF plane to fly?Whatis the origin of the Coast Guard racing stripe?Doesthe Space Force have any operational bases?Howdid a mutiny help establish the United States Naval Academy?Whatis the longest-serving personal weapon used by the American soldier?Whatis the difference between a UAV and a drone?Whatattack submarines does the Navy deploy?Whodefends the United States against cyberattacks and other digitalthreats?The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Forceare uniquely American, each in their own way. Learn what makes eachbranch special in The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book!With more than 140 photos and graphics, this fascinating to me isrichly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography and extensive index addto its usefulness.

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 systemsintegumentary (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 bodyit 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 anatomyas well as physiology and pathologymore understandable and less intimidating. Fascinating trivia, plus serious facts, combine to answer over 1,200 questions about the human body, including What is Grays 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 Alzheimers disease? What is a reflex? How much sleep does an individual need? Can humans use organs from other animals for transplants?

How did colonies, territories, and land purchases shape the United States of America? What differencesand similaritiesare there between the states? What does each state bring to the union? 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.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 that lend a unique character to each state's boundaries, government, and places of interest, such as: How important were the Beach Boys to the making of Californias culture? Are the Hawaiians still in charge of their state and its economy? Why was it so easy for the Pilgrims and the Puritans to take over eastern Massachusetts? Who were the first inhabitants of what is now South Dakota? Does it ever stop raining on the Washington coast?

Powerful oratory. Persuasive arguments. Succinct business pitches. Speeches and emails. From cave walls to the printing press, and from Cicero to TED talks, The Handy Communication Answer Book traces the history, explains the concepts, and examines the skills needed to master effective and efficient communication for every occasion. Providing insights and advice, this useful primer looks at how to improve verbal, nonverbal, and written communications.Communication is a subject that fascinates and frustrates people. It varies by context, audience, purpose, and form. From speeches to body language and from legalese and technical writing to how the Internet changed everything, this informative book brings the intricacies of speaking, writing, listening, and reading into focus through its well-researched answers to nearly 800 common communication questions, such as What are some common barriers to communication? How did early radio affect American politics? What was Aristotles influence on rhetoric? How should I deal with a social media troll? How can I stop saying things like um and ah? How can I project authority without being overbearing? How can I better communicate up the corporate ladder? What clichs and common gaffes are easily avoided? Why are Ikea instructions an example of genius?

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.This handy reference examines, explains, and traces the basics of nutrition, the value of vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, the science behind food-processing and the modern food industry. It traces nutritionand nutritional misconceptionsthroughout history. It explains how to read food labels and what to watch for in food additives. 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 pastand 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?Whats 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 wantand still lose or maintain their weight?

In an age of continued Middle East volatility, religious extremists, and terrorist threats, the mere mention of Islam and Muslims too often provokes misunderstanding and even rancor. Often overlooked are the important links between the Qur'an and the Bible. Also ignored are the significant historical overlap between Islamic interpretation of history with those of Christianity and Judaism, including the monotheistic belief in a single God. Islam is too often confusing and even opaque to those unfamiliar with it.The Handy Islam Answer Book, is clearly and eloquently written by John Renard, Ph.D., a scholar of Islam with more than 40 years of research and teaching experience. He provides detailed descriptions of the history, beliefs, symbols, rituals, observations, customs, leaders, and organization of the worlds second largest religion. Renard explains the significance of the Five Pillars, Muhammad, various sects, the Qur'an, Islamic law, and much more. This engaging primer is a resource for reliable information about Islam and Muslims and it brings an understanding of the shared humanity that joins Muslims and non-Muslims far more deeply than cultural or religious differences separate them. Truly a must-have reference for our changing and trying times, this user-friendly guide answers nearly 800 questions and offers fun facts that cover Islamic history, religious practices, and Muslim cultural perspectives, including When did Islam begin? Why is Mecca a holy city for Muslims? Do Muslims worship Muhammad? What was the fate of Medieval Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land? What do Muslims mean by the term "e;Allah"e;? What does the crescent moon and star symbol mean to Muslims? What is the Muslim call to prayer? Is it similar to church bells? Do Muslims believe that God tests people? Does Muhammad play a role in Islamic spirituality in a manner similar to Jesus role in Christianity? Is jihad a legal concept for Muslims? Is it true that Muhammad both preached and engaged in military campaigns? Do Muslims, Christians, and Jews worship the same God? Why do Jews, Christians, and Muslims all claim parts of Israel/Palestine as Holy Land? Why do some people, such as the Taliban, not want girls to get an education? Does Islam require wearing face veils? Does Islam have theologians like Augustine and Thomas Aquinas and the other great Christian thinkers? Is there any similarity between Muslim and Christian art?Muslims are diverse, and they have a vast spectrum of views about Islam. The Handy Islam Answer Book aims for understanding, which is the first step to uniting, instead of dividing. This helpful books provides a historic timeline, a glossary of commonly used terms, a genealogy from Adam to Muhammad and beyond, a calendar of major observances, and a bibliography help further exploration of one of the worlds great religions.

Stories centuries in the making, and many centuries worth of stories, are an integral part of modern society. Whether modern or ancient, every culture has its myths. Mythology forms our understanding of our origin, history, and traditions. They tell of our heroes and deities. Myths are vehicles for understanding religion, for learning language, and for understanding society, but they can often be difficult to understand and confusing. The Handy Mythology Answer Book examines and explains, in plain English, numerous myths and mythology.From the ancient Greek and Roman to Egypt and Babylon, from Native North American Indian to Celtic, Middle Eastern, Indian, Asian, African, and the lesser known myths from around the world, The Handy Mythology Answer Book has them covered. Whether it is the modern retelling of a classic myth or an ancient story about a Norse god, this helpful resource demystifies the myth, looks at different archetypes and motifs, and even shows how myths help explain our existence and institutions. It 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, such asHow and when did myths originate?What are the three primary myth types?What is the nature of Creation Myths?How can myths be compared to dreams?Why do humans tell myths?What was the Egyptian Book of the Dead?How is the epic of Gilgamesh like later epics?Why is the biblical flood story so like the Babylonian flood myth?What was the myth of Theseus, the Labyrinth, and the Minotaur?What are the Homeric Hymns?How and why are the Odyssey and the Iliad so different from each other?What is the popular appeal of the Odyssey?Did the Greeks see these myths as religion or as entertainment?What was the background myth of the Oedipus plays?What was the nature of Roman mythology during the Roman Republic?What was the Metamorphosis?How did Christian narrative and tradition fit into and come to dominate the Roman mythological tradition?How is Celtic culture and mythology related to the culture and mythology of Greek, Roman, and other cultures?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 Schrdingers Cat?How did Freud use myths?How is myth used in politics?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.

Battles, Blood, Honor, and HeroismThe nations 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 Lees surrender at Appomattox to the Southern reconstruction and modern aftermath, The Handy Civil War Answer Book is a captivating, concise, and convenient history of Americas 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 MexicanAmerican War influence 1850s America?*; What was Robert E. Lees 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?

Simplifying the complex chemical reactions that take place in everyday through the well-stated answers for more than 600 common chemistry questions, this reference is the go-to guide for students and professionals alike. The book covers everything from the history, major personalities, and groundbreaking reactions and equations in chemistry to laboratory techniques throughout history and the latest developments in the field. Chemistry is an essential aspect of all life that connects with and impacts all branches of science, making this readable resource invaluable across numerous disciplines while remaining accessible at any level of chemistry background. From the quest to make gold and early models of the atom to solar cells, bio-based fuels, and green chemistry and sustainability, chemistry is often at the forefront of technological change and this reference breaks down the essentials into an easily understood format.