The Complete Idiot's Guide to Crusades

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Crusades
Author: Melissa Snell
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 337
Release: 2003-02-05
Genre: History
ISBN: 0786548312

You're no idiot, of course. You know the Crusades were a war between Christian and Muslims for control of the Holy Land. However, these bloody conflicts raged over centuries, under changing circumstances, making the whole story difficult to follow. You don't have to don armour and cross deserts to relive the Crusades! 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Crusades' shows you why these wars began, why they continued for so long, and how their impact on the world still resonates. This 'Complete Idiot's Guide' gives you: -An introduction to the Dark Ages and the Renaissance, and why Pope Urban II would grant absolution to anyone who reclaimed the Holy Land for Christianity.-The origins of such Holy Orders as the Knights Templar, the Hospitallers, and the Teutonic Knights and the roles they played during the Crusades.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Roman Empire

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Roman Empire
Author: Eric Nelson
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 412
Release: 2002
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780028641515

You’re no idiot, of course. The battle scenes in Gladiator had you on the edge of your seat and wondering where you could find more information on the rise and fall of ancient Rome. But so far, your search has left you feeling like a blundering barbarian. Pick yourself up off the coliseum floor! Consult The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to the Roman Empire—a fun-to-read introduction to the fascinating history, people, and culture of ancient Rome. In this Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get: --The history of the Roman Empire’s rise and fall. --An idiot-proof introduction to the great epic literature of the Roman Republic. --A survey of the Romans in arts and popular culture. --Fascinating details of some of history’s most nefarious emperors, including Nero, Caligula, and Commodus.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Science of Everything

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Science of Everything
Author: Steve Miller
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 372
Release: 2008-10-07
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1440652031

“Why are most plants green?” Why doesn’t stomach acid dissolve the stomach itself? Why are there more tornados in the Midwest than on the coast? This volume answers these questions and over 200 more, shedding light on the science behind them. As informative as it is entertaining, it addresses every major branch of science, including physics, chemistry, biology, geology, meteorology, astronomy, and cosmology. It highlights some of the big ideas that helped shape science as we know it, and discusses the future of science with regards to nanotechnology, genetic modification, molecular medicine, and string theory. • Complete Idiot’s Guides® have a proven track record of simplifying science with great success, as with volumes on physics and chemistry. •Entertaining scientific overviews of this kind also successful, including such titles as The Pocket Idiot’s Guide™ to Not-So-Useless Facts and The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Understanding Einstein.

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (And the Crusades)

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (And the Crusades)
Author: Robert Spencer
Publisher: Regnery Publishing
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2005-07-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0895260131

Presents a critical analysis of the differences between Christianity and Islam and maintains that Islam contains a political agenda which endorses violence and aggression against non-Muslims.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to European History, 2nd Edition

The Complete Idiot's Guide to European History, 2nd Edition
Author: Nathan Barber
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 602
Release: 2011-10-04
Genre: History
ISBN: 1101558563

• Fascinating, fact-filled writing that delivers hundreds of years in the life of the European continent • Terrific supplementary reading for AP History students

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Jewish History and Culture

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Jewish History and Culture
Author: Benjamin Blech
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 468
Release: 2004
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781592572403

An updated and revised edition of one of The Complete Idiot's Guidespopular religion and history titles. Additional information about Jews in early American history through the 19th century. Expanded coverage of Jewish history and culture in the places you might least expect - Asia and South America. Jewish history and culture brought up to date to 2004.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cooking—for Guys

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cooking—for Guys
Author: Tod Dimmick
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 356
Release: 2004-10-05
Genre: Cooking
ISBN: 1440696284

No more burnt offerings! Whether it’s nachos or crock-pot kielbasa, a party, something quick for the kids’ lunch, a romantic date night, or dinner-for-one, this guy-friendly cookbook features over 230 real-food recipes for everything from vegetables, pasta, and desserts, to leftovers, appetizers, and grilling. Instead of relying on shortcuts, canned food, or unhealthy processed ingredients, it pares down complex cooking instructions, explains basic cooking terms, figures in prep time and cook time, and allots larger portion sizes. • Notes high-salt or high-cholesterol recipes. • Includes more than 230 recipes. • Provides special tips, advice, and recipe construction for beginners, plus bigger portion sizes for hungry men.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Toltec Wisdom

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Toltec Wisdom
Author: Sheri A. Rosenthal
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 372
Release: 2005
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781592573929

The Toltecs were an ancient society who lived in the central valley of Mexico. Their knowledge of science, art, and the spirit was amazingly advanced, and it led them to create a system of teaching that required enormous discipline and willpower. Focusing on the mind, the Toltecs developed a spiritual philosophy that incorporated the beauty of many esoteric teachings, forming a perfect model for transcendence. They believed that humans live in a world of dreams, and the way they dream places limitations on their lives. By changing those dreams, and reprogramming our minds, the wisdom of the Toltecs can lead us to the self-love and respect that are the keys to personal freedom. In The Complete Idiot's Guide to Toltec Wisdom, readers can travel through life with the knowledge of the Toltecs, taking charge of their lives and becoming fully aware for the first time.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Kabbalah

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Kabbalah
Author: Collin Canright
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 324
Release: 2007-06-05
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1440696829

What the Kabbalah can do for you. According to the authors of this comprehensive guide, the Kabbalah that Madonna popularized is far from authentic. In fact, the Kabbalah is much bigger—and better. Here, readers will discover how it can deliver money, love, health, and many other things. - An international authority on authentic Kabbalah was a consultant for this book. - Blends religion/spirituality with New Age mysticism.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam, 2nd Edition

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam, 2nd Edition
Author: Yahiya Emerick
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 452
Release: 2004-11-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1101097426

An up-close and up-to-date look at an often misunderstood faith This completely revised and updated guide explores the tenets of the Qu’ran (a.k.a. Koran), examines the history of the religion and its relationship to Christianity and Judaism, and features an expanded section on the true story behind “jihad.” It explores Islamic views on war and terrorism, including the Muslim perspective on the tragic events of September 11, and the subsequent U.S. presence in both Afghanistan and Iraq. • Excellent sales for the first edition • Islam is the fastest growing religion in America, with more than six million devoted followers • Features an expanded section on women in Islam, including their status within the Taliban, and the Islamic practice of polygamy