Other books that might interest you

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  The American Museum of Natural...

  Colin Davey, Thomas A. Lesser

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  An extensive history of the American Museum of Natural History and Hayden Planetarium, featuring a cast of colorful characters. 
   
  The American Museum of Natural History is one of New York City’s most beloved institutions, and one of the largest, most celebrated museums in the world. Since 1869, generations of New Yorkers and tourists of all ages have been educated and entertained here. Located across from Central Park, the sprawling structure, spanning four city blocks, is a fascinating conglomeration of many buildings of diverse architectural styles built over a period of 150 years. The first book to tell the history of the museum from the point of view of these buildings, including the planned Gilder Center, The American Museum of Natural History and How It Got That Way contextualizes them within New York and American history and the history of science. 
   
  Part II, “The Heavens in the Attic,” is the first detailed history of the Hayden Planetarium, from the museum’s earliest astronomy exhibits, to Clyde Fisher and the original planetarium, to Neil deGrasse Tyson and the Rose Center for Earth and Space, and it features a photographic tour through the original Hayden Planetarium. 
   
  Author Colin Davey spent much of his childhood literally and figuratively lost in the museum’s labyrinthine hallways. The museum grew in fits and starts according to the vicissitudes of backroom deals, personal agendas, two world wars, the Great Depression, and the Cold War. Chronicling its evolution?from the selection of a desolate, rocky, hilly, swampy site, known as Manhattan Square to the present day?the book includes some of the most important and colorful characters in the city’s history, including the notoriously corrupt and powerful “Boss” Tweed, “Father of New York City” Andrew Haswell Green, and twentieth-century powerbroker and master builder Robert Moses; museum presidents Morris K. Jesup, Henry Fairfield Osborn, and Ellen Futter; and American presidents, polar and African explorers, dinosaur hunters, and German rocket scientists. 
   
  Features a new preface by the author and a new foreword by Neil deGrasse Tyson. 
   
  “This is, in many ways, a particularly American story, and anyone interested in history or museums will find this a very satisfying read. Author Colin Davey had a life-long love affair with the museum, growing up in New York and spending many, many hours happily lost in the museum collections, and that shines through in his writing as does his fine, in-depth research. Plenty of excellent graphics and photographs support this fascinating history.” —Seattle Book Review

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  Michigan's Haunted Lighthouses

  Dianna Stampfler

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  Travel Michigan’s coast—and into the state’s history—with otherworldly tales of the spirits of those who sought to keep its waters safe.    Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state, with more than 120 dotting its expansive Great Lakes shoreline. Many of these lighthouses lay claim to haunted happenings. Former keepers like the cigar-smoking Captain Townshend at Seul Choix Point and prankster John Herman at Waugoshance Shoal near Mackinaw City maintain their watch long after death ended their duties. At White River Light Station in Whitehall, Sarah Robinson still keeps a clean and tidy house, and a mysterious young girl at the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse seeks out other children and female companions. Countless spirits remain between Whitefish Point and Point Iroquois in an area well known for its many tragic shipwrecks. Join author and Promote Michigan founder Dianna Stampfler as she recounts the tales from Michigan’s ghostly beacons.   “Haunting tales of Michigan’s lighthouses . . . Her stories come from lighthouse museums, friends and family.”—Great Lakes Echo

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  Old Times on the Mississippi

  Mark Twain

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  Old Times on the Mississippi is a non-fiction work by Mark Twain. It was published in 1876. Originally published in serial form in the Atlantic Monthly, in 1875, this same work was published as chapters 4 through 17 in Twain's later work, Life on the Mississippi (1883). Old Times on the the Mississippi has one last chapter that has nothing to do with the rest of the book. A Literary Nightmare describes the funny/sad/maddening effect that a catchy jingle can have on those unlucky enough to be captured by one. (Summary by John Greenman)

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  Two Old Fools - Olé!

  Victoria Twead

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  Never believe that life in a tiny Spanish mountain village is predictable. Vicky and Joe have finished fixing up their house and look forward to peaceful days enjoying their retirement. Then the fish van arrives, and instead of delivering fresh fish, disgorges the Ufarte family. The peace of El Hoyo is shattered. Packed with badly behaved humans and animals, irreverent humour and sunshine, 'Two Old Fools — Olé!' will make you laugh out loud.

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  Ghost Hunter's Guide to Los Angeles

  Jeff Dwyer

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  The renowned paranormal investigator and ghost hunter shows tourists, residents, and even nonbelievers where to encounter spirits in the City of Angels. 
   
  As useful to the paranormally curious as to locals and adventurers seeking new and unusual spots, Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Los Angeles shows you how and where to seek out the supernatural in Los Angeles and surrounding areas—from Hollywood to Long Beach as well as destinations in nearby San Diego and Santa Barbara. 
   
  Suggested stops include familiar locations such as Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Catalina Island, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Lookout Mountain, and missions like Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission San Buena Ventura, and more. Many other suggested adventures refer to sights where ghosts of movie stars like Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery Clift, and Howard Hughes have been seen. There are also numerous anecdotes and leads for exploring more obscure supernatural entities like the “murdered waitress,” the “ghost protester,” “indigenous ghosts,” and many other seemingly anonymous spirits around the Los Angeles area. 
   
  The appendix is full of references for further exploration, including a list of local ghost tours, historical societies and museums, and an exhaustive list of suggested books, Internet resources, films, and national organizations relating to ghostly communications. A handy sighting report form is included to assist witnesses in the case of an encounter. 
   
  “Jeff Dwyer has done it again. Easily one of the best Ghost Story writers working today. You will never look at the City of Angels the same way.” —Ray Couch, Southern Ghosts

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  Fluent in Spanish The Best Tips...

  Maria Fernandez

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  How do you learn Spanish fast? My students often ask me that question. That’s why I wrote this short step-by-step guide. 
  Here I show you how to go from beginner to fluent amazingly fast. What I show you does not involve expensive courses, moving to Spain, spending hours a day studying, or doing tedious memorising. 
  Instead, I walk you step by step through how to develop your listening skills fast, how to start speaking today, how to remember words forever, and how to master the pronunciation easily. 
  In just a few pages, I show you how to make the most of your limited time, and the time-wasting things to avoid. I also show you how to love your Spanish lessons, boost your motivation, and create an enjoyable daily learning habit. 
  The tips in this short guide helped me become fluent in English, the language I now use in my career and daily life. 
  Would you like to become fluent in Spanish fast? Get this guide now! 
  About the author: I’m Maria Fernandez. I’ve been teaching Spanish, my mother tongue, for over twenty years. I’ve also taught myself several languages, including English. I wrote this short guide because I believe you can become fluent in Spanish fast, regardless of your age and background. My students have proved that to me over and over.

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