Learn something new with 366 fascinating facts from NPR librarian Kee Malesky What was the greatest thing before sliced bread?1 What color did carrots used to be?2 Why do many American spellings differ from their British counterparts?3 What does it mean "to have one's eyes lined with ham"? 4 If you know the answers to these questions, then you're John Hodgman. If you had to look for them below, you need this book.5 Kee Malesky, author of All Facts Considered, returns with a year's worth of facts on the arts, history, language, natural history, religion, and science to build up your brain. From "What is the only sea without coastlines?" to "How did the tradition of April Fool's Day begin?", this book is the best way to know more stuff than that other guy.6 Learn Something New Every Day is the ideal gift for anyone with an inquisitive mind and an appreciation of the wonders of the world around us. But don't give it to them. You don't want them to know more than you do. 1. Bagged bread. 2. Purple. 3. Blame?or thank?Noah Webster. 4. That's the Italian expression for "can't see the wood for the trees." 5. You'd enjoy it too, Mr. Hodgman. 6. Discovering more than one fact per day can cause increased confidence. We've probably already put you at risk with the four above. Learn safely.

New insights from the science of science Facts change all the time. Smoking has gone from doctor recommended to deadly. We used to think the Earth was the center of the universe and that the brontosaurus was a real dinosaur. In short, what we know about the world is constantly changing. Samuel Arbesman shows us how knowledge in most fields evolves systematically and predictably, and how this evolution unfolds in a fascinating way that can have a powerful impact on our lives. He takes us through a wide variety of fields, including those that change quickly, over the course of a few years, or over the span of centuries.

Rooted in the precepts of ancient wisdom and informed by modern science this book provides a clear, practical guide to a life of contentment. In simple everyday language Facts of Life outlines the ten issues we all face and the means by which all human beings can accomplish happiness. In very useful and deceptively profound terms the book discusses the dilemma of human existence and the means to accomplish happiness in all circumstances. Drawing on a broad sample of resources from some of the oldest writings of the Tao tradition to some of the newest research on the brain and the role of vulnerability this book outlines everything anyone needs to do in order to live a life of contentment. The message of this book is that everyone can be happy. All that is required is the courage to do the work, and Facts of Life describes and explains the work that needs to be done. There is no mystery to the pursuit of happiness that requires supernatural contacts or magical revelation. The basic methods for achieving happiness are fully known and available for use by everyone. They are described in this book. The ten facts that are the focus of the book are, in reality, ten basic issues of human existence. Many of these issues have been recognized and written about for hundreds or even thousands of years. They are simple yet have a profound impact on our ability to be happy. What is clear is that the way each of us approaches these issues determines the extent to which we can be happy. "The beliefs, attitudes, assumptions and expectations with which we face the world determine the extent to which was will be able to cope with, endure and enjoy life." Knowing what these issues are, and how we incorporate beliefs about them into our daily life, can give us the power to control our happiness and to maintain a level of contentment no matter what life throws at us. After all, "What good is happiness if it abandons us at the first sign of adversity?" It turns out that it is

"Something amazing really does happen every single day! Literally the book of the year, this incredible compendium gives you fun and fantastic facts for every date on the calendar. Did you know that Buzz Aldrin took the first selfie in space on November 12th 1966? Or that October 21st is International Day of the Nacho? Read the facts daily throughout the year, or look up birthdays to see what amazing events in history happened on that day!"--Amazon.ca.