Golf, A Very Peculiar History' takes a sideways look at one of Britain's greatest exports, tracing its history from the earliest ball-in-hole games right up to the scandals that rock its current celebrities and tournaments, with a fair few mulligans in between. From its origins as a strictly men-only, exclusive sport, golf has matured a great deal through the ages and has distanced itself from the elitist pursuit it once was, today allowing players...

From its beginnings in Ancient Greek antiquity, right up to its arrival in Great Britain, the home of so many modern sports and favoured pastimes, the Olympic Games have always been a grand and exciting spectacle, whether you're watching a no-holds-barred wrestling match or a mesmerising, freewheeling gymnast. 'The Olympics, A Very Peculiar History' gives an overview of the strange, the unbelievable and the downright bizarre events that have occurred...

"Scots Wha Hae!" 'Scotland, A Very Peculiar History - Volume 2' is the concluding part of a lively and informative account of the vibrant history of Scotland, from the beginnings of Stewart rule up to modern-day Scotland. Celebrating the many and varied cultural and historic achievements of the Scottish, from the fierce Jacobite uprising to John Logie Baird's insulating socks, this ebook provides an objective account of the nation's chequered (or...

The 60s, A Very Peculiar History' is a nostalgic celebration of those gloriously giddy years. Filled with fascinating trivia and quirky facts about the Swinging Sixties, David Arscott uniquely explores what made the sixties so different and how the decade has influenced the world today. From a timeline of pivotal historical world events to examining London, 'a city steeped in tradition, seized by change and liberated by affluence', as well as memorable...

Brighton: that curious master of reinvention - whether it's considered 'London-by-the-Sea' or 'England's San Francisco', it's certainly a city with a reputation for being on the edge. Delve deep into the weird and wonderful history of 'Brighthelmstone', and find out how this dreary fishing village became a dazzling playground for the louche and wealthy: from the fashionable Regency period to the age of DJs, Brighton has always been home to the proudly...

Just when you thought it was safe to take a sneak peek into your stocking, it's 'Christmas: A Very Peculiar History'. Taking an unbiased view of the myth and mystery surrounding the origins of the yuletide season, this book introduces mindbending facts about the holiday season and shatters the myths surrounding some of Christmas' most treasured and well-known facets: When exactly was Jesus born? Why is Santa's outfit red and white? Where do we get...

You can't take it with you - or can you? Discover the grisly process of mummification, from embalming and stuffing the corpse to preparing a home for eternity. This title explores the quirky side of a journey to the afterlife, looking at the myth and the science surrounding Ancient Egyptian burial practices, and the lives of the Gods that inspired them. Full of fascinating lists, creepy stories and bizarre trivia, this title is sure to educate as...

Which species of moth was nearly killed off by the fight for cleaner air? How does a cow's bottom contribute to global warming? Could warmer mean colder? All these questions and more are answered in 'Global Warming: A Very Peculiar History'. This book arms you with an introduction to the scientific concepts behind global warming then hits you hard with the bizarre and at times disputed facts that go along with the theory. 'Global Warming, A Very Peculiar...

Which king's guards massacred a group of his supporters by mistake? Who had an oversized tongue and had to slobber when they ate food? Who was so large when they died that they had to be buried in a square coffin? Who survived seven assassination attempts? As you can tell from the bizarre questions above, it wasn't all thrones and sceptres for British kings and queens. Some of them were completely batty, and others were downright vicious. On the other...

EIIR Queen Elizabeth II, 60 Years a Queen, A Very Peculiar History' uniquely explores the life and times of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as we approach her 2012 Diamond Jubilee. The story that unfolds is one of doughty determination - the story of a young monarch who finds herself thrust into a new world of relentless public exposure, whose own family turns out to be as frail as everyone else's, but who somehow, for a full 60 years and counting,...