The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book

The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book
Author: Richard Estep
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
Total Pages: 501
Release: 2022-04-12
Genre: History
ISBN: 1578597749

The story of the United States military is the story of the country itself. Both have grown and changed over time. Learn about the unique histories, traditions, weapons, leaders, stats, and fun facts of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force, and their roles within the military in this fun and fascinating guide! 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 has grown in power and size over its 250-year history. Its organization and branches have changed to adapt to new technologies and national needs. The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book: Your Guide to the Whats and Whys of the U.S. Military looks at each branch of the U.S. military. It answers more than 500 of the most intriguing questions, including … How is the U.S. military organized? How do the branches work together? When did the Army Air Corps become the U.S. Army Air Force? What is the selection process like for Special Forces? Who was the Continental Army’s first Commander in Chief? How does the military rank structure function? How does somebody become an Air Force officer? What was the “Brown Water Navy”? What is the motto of the Coast Guard? How many bases does the military have? What is the Marine Corps Hymn? Did any Coast Guard vessels serve in combat? What type of aircraft is Air Force One? Who said “Retreat? Hell! We just got here!” Who were the Buffalo Soldiers? What are the Blue Angels? What is the most challenging USAF plane to fly? What is the origin of the Coast Guard “racing stripe”? Does the Space Force have any operational bases? How did a mutiny help establish the United States Naval Academy? What is the longest-serving personal weapon used by the American soldier? What is the difference between a UAV and a drone? What attack submarines does the Navy deploy? Who defends the United States against cyberattacks and other digital threats? The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force are uniquely American, each in their own way. Learn what makes each branch special in The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book! With more than 140 photos and graphics, this fascinating to me is richly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness.

The Handy Military History Answer Book

The Handy Military History Answer Book
Author: Samuel Willard Crompton
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
Total Pages: 791
Release: 2015-03-23
Genre: History
ISBN: 1578595509

Heroism and sacrifice. Brutality and folly. Great leaders, great villains, pivotal moments, and events. Take a captivating, concise, and convenient look at how the world, the United States, and the lives we lead today have been changed by war and the military! Military history is a fascinating, complex, and often contradictory subject. War and fighting between tribes, clans, groups, and countries has been with us forever. Wars cause political, social, and technological upheavals. From early Greeks and Romans to the great conquering militaries of the past, continuing on through the civil wars and world wars that shaped the boundaries of today’s nations, and to the modern weapons, technologies, guerrilla warfare, and terrorism currently reported in the nightly news, The Handy Military History Answer Book looks at the who, the what, the why, and the how of conflicts throughout history. It answers over 1,100 questions, from the most widely asked to the more obscure, such as: Who cast the first stone (of human history)? Is there anything to the story of Ancient Troy? Could Alexander the Great have conquered the early Roman Republic? How many men, and auxiliary fighters, were there in a Roman legion? Which precious metal did the Vikings prefer above all others? Do we even have his name—Genghis Khan—right? Where did Richard the Lion-Heart get his nickname? How long did it take to learn how to use the longbow? Was Napoleon really not French? When did George Washington have to alter all his plans: and how did he go about making the change? What signals did Paul Revere watch for on the evening of April 18, 1775? How many people died at the Siege of Fort Sumter? What was the worst day of the Civil War, in the Far West? Where was the world's first submarine deployed? When were balloons first deployed in warfare? Where did the name "Uncle Sam" come from? What did Rasputin have to say about the approach of the First World War? Why on earth did Hitler code-name his invasion of Russia for a German emperor who drowned? How close did Hitler come to victory at Moscow in 1941? What ten days decided the outcome of World War II? What was so special about the B-24? When did the Cold War commence? What role will technology like the Internet play in future warfare? How significant—to the United States—is the rise in China’s military power? The weapons, leaders, soldiers, battles, tactics, strategies, blunders, technologies, and outcomes are all examined in The Handy Military History Answer Book. It investigates everything from the smallest miscalculations and maneuvers to the biggest invasions and battles, as well as the cutting-edge technologies and firepower that led to victories and helped change the world! This powerful primer on the military also includes a helpful bibliography and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.

The Handy World War II Answer Book

The Handy World War II Answer Book
Author: Richard Estep
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
Total Pages: 663
Release: 2024-08-27
Genre: History
ISBN: 1578598400

The biggest and deadliest war. Over 50 countries involved. More than 100 million people mobilized. A death toll between 50 to 85 million—half of which were innocent civilians. Six bloody years. Countless atrocities and savageries. If you’re interested in the story and legacy of World War II, then this history book is for you! From the Pearl Harbor attack and the D-Day invasion to the Holocaust and the Manhattan Project, World War II has had a lasting impact on the world. Larger-than-life heroes and villains were minted: Hitler, MacArthur, Stalin, and Churchill, to name a few. The ballistic missile, atomic bomb, radar, and other inventions were developed that came to define modern life. The impact of World War II cannot be underestimated. The Handy World War II Answer Book looks at the Blitzkrieg, Hiroshima, concentration camps, and the rest of the war’s history. It answers 550 of the most intriguing questions about the war, including … Why did Italy and Germany become allies? What was special about the Commando Fighting Knife? What were the secrets of Station X? Who were the Desert Rats? Did the Allies know that the Holocaust was happening? When was the first Enigma machine captured — and by whom? What led to the Battle of Midway? How was the fate of Stalingrad decided? Who were the Flying Tigers? Did Hitler really sleep through the D-Day invasion? What was the biggest naval battle of World War II? Why was Iwo Jima so difficult for the Americans to capture? How did two of the Nuremberg prisoners evade justice? What happened to Emperor Hirohito? Fought all over the world, there were battles and operations, warships and warplanes, guns and bombs, attacks and sieges, soldiers and leaders. There was despair and victory, triumph and tragedy, struggle and sacrifice. Learn all about the conflict in The Handy World War II Answer Book! With more than 120 photos and graphics, this fascinating tome is richly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness.

The Handy Engineering Answer Book

The Handy Engineering Answer Book
Author: DeLean Tolbert Smith
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
Total Pages: 528
Release: 2022-09-20
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1578596122

A handy resource on the fundamental facts about engineering for both engineers and non-engineers alike, whether you are exploring engineering for the first time, already have a strong background, or fall anywhere in between. Engineering impacts every aspect of our lives. Bridges, buildings, buses, electrical grids, computers, televisions, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, and virtually any everyday household item needs to be engineered to function properly. Fundamentally, engineering is about identifying a need and developing solutions that meet that need. Throughout history, engineering ideas and innovative feats have provided solutions to many challenges faced by civilizations. From the Great Wall of China to NASA's space program, The Handy Engineering Answer Book covers the history of the field, details the lives of key figures, introduces the tools engineers use to solve problems, and provides fun facts and answers to a thousand important and interesting questions, such as … What is the difference between science and engineering? What do engineers do? What are some famous engineering mistakes or failures? What is reverse engineering? What is a prototype? What types of jobs do electrical engineers do? How does a car battery work? What are the major job responsibilities of a HVAC engineer? What is a Powertrain? What is Bernoulli’s principle? What are the Laws of Thermodynamics? What’s the difference between 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines? What is stress and strain? What is the difference between torque and power? What is automation? What is quality assurance? What is meant by outsourcing? What are the responsibilities of a construction manager? What are the types of road construction that are both durable and cost-effective? Which materials are used to build a cruise ship? What are some design elements that help structures withstand earthquakes? How does a civil engineer design water slides for theme parks? Who was W. Edwards Deming? What is ergonomics? What is biomedical engineering? Who is Grace Hopper? What is debugging? What is the difference between a web developer and a website designer? Was Leonardo da Vinci an aerospace engineer? Where do chemical engineers work? How much energy does the world use? What are the major challenges addressed by environmental engineers? What is humanitarian engineering? What is acoustical engineering? What are the required skills for fire engineers? What are the advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnology? With more than 140 photos and graphics, this fascinating tome is richly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness. Whether using science and math or building prototypes for testing or the development of various subdisciplines, The Handy Engineering Answer Book looks at how fundamental engineering is to modern life and society!

The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book

The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book
Author: David L. Hudson
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
Total Pages: 687
Release: 2023-05-09
Genre: Law
ISBN: 1578598249

The U.S. Supreme Court, its decisions, and its nominating process for new justices are often in the news … but are just as often not well understood. Constitutional law professor David L. Hudson, Jr., explains the cases, processes, and important history with this in-depth primer on the U.S. Supreme Court. How has the Supreme Court justices’ thinking on gun rights, abortion, free speech, freedom of religion, and many other controversial issues evolved? What were some of the court’s most important and monumental decisions … and failures? Which justices have—and have had—the most influence on the court? Has the nominating process always been so political and bitter? Covering the history, nominating process, and court decisions on individual and other rights as well as a few fun facts, The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book: The History and Issues Explained by David L. Hudson, Jr., J.D. provides you with 600 answers to questions such as … How was the U.S. Supreme Court created? Under the Constitution, who appoints Supreme Court justices? Have any Supreme Court justices been impeached? Which president introduced an infamous court-packing plan in 1937? Which Supreme Court justice in the 20th century did not have a law degree? What are some suggestions for reforming the confirmation process? What did the Rehnquist Court decide in the 2000 presidential election? Why did Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissent in the Lily Ledbetter case? Which justice wrote that he couldn’t define obscenity, but “I know it when I see it”? When did the Supreme Court establish the so-called “Miranda Rights”? How did the Supreme Court emphasize privacy protection for cell phone searches? How has the Supreme Court dealt with the death penalty for juveniles? In what infamous decision did the Supreme Court regard African Americans as slaves and property? When did the Supreme Court invalidate a ban on interracial marriages? Why was the decision in Roe v. Wade not the leading story in many newspapers on the date of its decision? Why, according to Justice Samuel Alito, was Roe such a bad decision? Why is interpreting the Second Amendment perhaps more of a challenge than other amendments in the Bill of Rights? Who was the only Supreme Court Justice to have signed the Declaration of Independence? Which Justice wrote a book about the United States as a Christian nation? Which Justice wrote a book on civil disobedience and protest? What Supreme Court justice was formerly a member of the Ku Klux Klan? What is the nickname of the Supreme Court Building? Which justice was nicknamed “The Lone Ranger”? Analyzing controversial issues and various points of view, The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book sheds a light on the differing and changing interpretations of the critical issues before the court, as well as the confirmation process and some of the court’s most important justices. Richly illustrated, it also has a helpful bibliography, glossary, and extensive index. Thoroughly updated since it was last published fifteen years ago, this invaluable resource will help you understand the rulings and importance of the U.S. Supreme Court!

The Handy Quantum Physics Answer Book

The Handy Quantum Physics Answer Book
Author: Charles Liu
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
Total Pages: 681
Release: 2024-07-16
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1578598389

Quantum physics helps explain many mysteries of the universe. It underpins everything, but it need not be quantum difficult with this informative, accessible, easy-to-follow guide to the fundamentals and concepts of quantum physics and our quantum universe! Quantum physics is all around us. It’s in electrical lights, lasers, and the color of the sky. Without it, the sun wouldn’t shine. It even explains how human eyes work. With its role in photosynthesis, it literally supports life. Yet, it had Schrödinger wondering whether his cat was alive or dead. It tells us that something can be both a wave and a particle and that two linked particles can communicate across the universe instantaneously! And it might even explain how the multiverse is real. Quantum physics is the key to understanding our complex world, yet even our most brilliant minds haven’t figured it all out yet. Engaging and approachable, The Handy Quantum Physics Answer Book helps untangle this complex subject, making quantum physics and its impact on us, the world, and the universe entertaining and easy to grasp. From the basics to the theories and from the practical applications to the future, this illuminating book answers more than 800 fascinating questions so you can easily understand quantum physics, including ... Did the Big Bang arise from quantum foam? When did philosophers first consider the existence of atoms? What is the largest nuclear weapon ever detonated? What are quarks? What is quantum teleportation? What is the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle? What is the quantum principle used in MRI machines? Does entangled time mean the present can affect the past? Why did Albert Einstein say, “God does not play dice with the universe”? How is a black hole a quantum object? How does quantum physics appear in portrayals of space? Do we live in a multiverse? What is artificial intelligence? Are human brains actually quantum computers? How does quantum physics affect me? The Handy Quantum Physics Answer Book provides a bridge between scientific concepts and everyday understanding, allowing you to grasp the wonders and implications of quantum physics. This compelling resource is for the casually curious as well as those seeking a deeper understanding of one of the most captivating scientific fields of our time. With 135 photos and graphics, this tome is richly illustrated. Its glossary of commonly used terms cuts through the jargon, a helpful bibliography provides sources for further exploration, and an extensive index adds to its usefulness.

The Book of Facts and Trivia

The Book of Facts and Trivia
Author: Terri Schlichenmeyer
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
Total Pages: 482
Release: 2024-01-16
Genre: Reference
ISBN: 1578598346

Entertaining, informative, and fun. Educational, trivial, and profound. Astonishing, amazing, and surprising. That’s history! Take a weird and wonderful tour of American history with this treat of stories, trivia, and facts! From Juan Ponce de León to John Wayne to Jane Doe to the little-known stories hidden inside bigger historical events, The Book of Facts and Trivia: American History combines the educational, profound, and trivial into a rich account of American history facts (and the interesting role Johns—and Juans and Janes—played along the way)! You’ll learn about the United States through hundreds of absorbing stories and interesting tidbits such as ... Our sixth president, John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), had a pet alligator while in the White House. Graceland, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is America's second-most visited home. The first is Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. In 1970, Continental Airlines made it a policy that every disembarking male passenger got a kiss on the cheek from a stewardess. Twenty to twenty-five percent of cowboys in the mid-1800s were black. The first public service announcement meant to encourage Americans not to litter appeared in 1956. Washington is the most common city/town/village name in America, followed by Springfield and Franklin. Actor Jack Black’s mother was a satellite engineer and author who worked on the Hubble Telescope. Most of the Continental Congress officially signed the Declaration of Independence on July 2, 1776 (not July 4!). The Food Marketing Institute estimates that some two million shopping carts are stolen each year. Kansas City, Missouri, leads the nation in the number of fountains inside its city limits. The Statue of Liberty is 305 feet tall with a waist that's 35 feet across. And many more American history facts! An absorbing guide to history, The Book of Facts and Trivia is a treat of stories, facts, and trivia guaranteed to both inform and entertain. It’s a feast of fun oddities and compelling stories that make history delightfully entertaining and eye-opening!

The Handy African American History Answer Book

The Handy African American History Answer Book
Author: Jessie Carney Smith
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
Total Pages: 434
Release: 2014-01-01
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1578594871

Celebrating the impact of African Americans on U.S. society, culture, and history! Traces African American history through four centuries of profound changes and amazing accomplishments. Walking readers through a rich but often overlooked part of American history, The Handy African American History Answer Book addresses the people, times, and events that influenced and changed African American history. An overview of major biographical figures and history-making events is followed by a deeper look at the development in the arts, entertainment, business, civil rights, music, government, journalism, religion, science, sports, and more. Covering a broad range of the African American experience, showcasing interesting insights and facts, this helpful reference answers 700 commonly-asked questions including ... What is the significance of the Apollo Theater? What were the effects of the Great Depression on black artists? Who were some of America's early free black entrepreneurs? What is the historical role of the barbershop in the African American community? and What was Black Wall Street? What does “40 acres and a mule” mean? What was the Black Arts Movement? Who were the Harlem Hellfighters? Who was the first black saint? Who was called the “Father of Blood Plasma”? What caused African Americans to lose their fidelity to “the Party of Lincoln”? What was the impact of Negro Leagues Baseball on American culture? Blending trivia with historical review in an engaging question-and-answer format, The Handy African American History Answer Book is perfect for browsing and is ideal for history buffs, trivia fans, students and teachers and anyone interested in a better and more thorough understanding of the history of black Americans. With many photos and illustrations this fun, fact-filled tome is richly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness.

Grifters, Frauds, and Crooks

Grifters, Frauds, and Crooks
Author: Richard Estep
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
Total Pages: 460
Release: 2023-06-20
Genre: True Crime
ISBN: 1578598281

Power, Money, Sex: The Corrupt Trifecta! This captivating book uncovers the insidious web of deceit that infiltrates every facet of our nation's past and present. Immerse yourself in the stories of 50 of the most audacious frauds, cons, and lies! Discover the dark underbelly of American history as you delve into the gripping pages of Grifters, Frauds, and Crooks: True Stories of American Corruption. From the heights of Wall Street to the heart of Main Street, from the hallowed halls of the Capitol to the battlefields of the military, and from the glitz and glamour of entertainment to the sanctity of science, no realm is immune to the clutches of corruption. Through meticulous research, this riveting account exposes both notorious figures and obscure swindles, including … Bernie Madoff's infamous Ponzi schemes Big Pharma scandals the Black Sox the dark secrets of the Catholic Church Operation ABSCAM the seedy underworld of the Mafia Harvey Weinstein Corruption in the White House the Enron deceit the shocking depths of NYPD corruption Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker the Lehman Brothers collapse the Watergate break-in and cover-up the Clinton/Lewinsky affair J. Edgar Hoover’s abuse of power the Sackler family’s opioid empire and many other dishonest and duplicitous people and organizations!! With more than 120 photos and graphics, Grifters, Frauds, and Crooks is richly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness. In the pursuit of money, influence, and fame, the line between right and wrong sometimes becomes blurred, leaving a trail of shattered trust and broken dreams. Take an illuminating journey into the cons, scams, and shady deals that have shaped our nation.

Family, Friends and Neighbors

Family, Friends and Neighbors
Author: Richard Estep
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
Total Pages: 527
Release: 2024-01-02
Genre: True Crime
ISBN: 1578598540

Delve into the chillingly true world of murder and deceit. Explore the twisted paths of those driven by dark motives of control, money, social status, and revenge, and the unsuspecting victims who placed their trust in them. Discover the dark secrets that lurk behind closed doors in Family, Friends and Neighbors: Stories of Murder and Betrayal. You will be left questioning just how well you truly know those around you in this gripping true-crime collection. Dive into infamous cases such as Richard “Alex” Murdaugh, the Menendez Brothers, and Lizzie Borden, and also examine lesser-known crimes that will send shivers down your spine. You'll investigate thirty-four shocking tales of mind-boggling acts of violence, such as … The captivating downfall of prestigious attorney and community figure Alex Murdaugh, whose addiction spiraled into a web of deceit, fraud, and murder. The heartbreaking story of Michael and Robert Bever, brothers driven to commit unspeakable acts due to a lifetime of torment inflicted by their own parents. The macabre case of Heather Mack and her boyfriend, Tommy Schaefer, who were entangled in a web of greed and trust funds leading to a gruesome discovery inside a suitcase. The shocking crimes committed by Lyle and Erik Menendez, whose privileged lives culminated in the massacre of their own parents, forever shocking the nation. The accused Victorian-era serial poisoner, Mary Ann Cotton, and the mysterious deaths of her husbands and children. The troubled Florida teen Tyler Hadley and his wild house party that went on while his parents' bodies bled in the master bedroom. The bank vice-president-turned-embezzler Steven Sueppel, whose mounting debts compelled him to commit a desperate act of murder. And dozens of other intimate murders and webs of deceit! Murders committed to escape a marriage, or out of dire desperation, or from an insane separation from reality, these and other less comprehensible motivations fill the pages of Family, Friends and Neighbors. It’s an unflinching look into humanity’s dark side! Read the stories, investigate the facts, and meet the vicious killers who murder the people who should have been nearest and dearest to them.