Structure & Flow (Elements of Article Writing)

Fryxell, David A.

Literature & Fiction

Writers' Digest Books

Double-Parked on Main Street: A Carload of Wit and Humor from America's Heartland

Essays & Correspondence

Ex Machina Pub. Co.

Double Parked on Main Street: A Carload of Wit and Humor from America's Heartland

“Microhistory” is defined as “a study or account of the history of a very specific subject.” Books classified as “microhistory” have explored the origins and effects of everything from cod to the pencil, bananas to zero. This book similarly samples the stories behind the ideas and inventions that made the modern world. Rather than focus an entire book on one topic, however, MicroHistory ranges widely from the secret history of bacon to the invention of plastic, from soap to sunglasses, time zones to refrigerators. These are the stories of how the things we take for granted came to be.Many of the inventors and creators in these pages will be familiar names—Galileo, Fahrenheit, Nobel, Fulton, Otis—although you may not know the twists and turns behind their discoveries. None of these famous people worked in a vacuum, moreover, and you will see how many lesser-known steps preceded their leaps forward. Such breakthroughs also have less-celebrated ripple effects, and the book explores how innovations large and small affected our culture and daily lives.Other “microhistories” told in these pages focus on names you may never have heard of—innovators ignored by “macrohistory,” or lost to the sweep of time: the French traitor who gave us neon signs, the ancient librarian who popularized punctuation, the former office boy who linked America and Europe by cable, the son of slaves who developed the traffic light, the inventor of the “devil’s rope” that tamed the West. Still other stories have no single hero or heroine, but rather reflect the slow and often jittery march of progress that led to modern weddings, swimming pools, underwear, fire extinguishers and so much else we see or use every day.Mistakes were made along the way. Predictions about the future often proved humorously awry. Early prisons sought penance at the expense of rehabilitation. Explosives and rifles continue to take a human toll. Soft drinks and cigarettes, variously promoted as boons to health, turned out to be banes. And despite the countless claims that apocalypse was just around the corner, we’re still here.Exploring these histories up close, however, gives us the chance to learn from the pitfalls of progress. Seeing the breakthroughs that genuinely moved humanity forward, whether by famous inventors or unknown ancients, can shed light on how to better create our own futures. The result might be putting a human on Mars or just better bacon, new vaccines or simply toilets that don’t run.Ultimately, the “micro” of history is in the eye of the beholder. If you want to build a skyscraper, an elevator turns out to be pretty important. If you just want to catch a fish, however, a better rod and reel seems mighty important, too. Even this book would not exist without some of the inventions chronicled here—from the QWERTY keyboard on which it was typed to the modern successor to mail-order catalogs on which you ordered it.Thinking small, it turns out, can sometimes lead to big things. Read on to see how.

MicroHistory: Ideas and inventions that made the modern world.

History

Independently published

Trace your Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish ancestors! This convenient guide will help you discover your Northern European family history while optimizing your research time. Highlights include: • Strategies for identifying immigrant Scandinavian ancestors, plus how to trace them back to Europe from North America • Methods for locating Swedish genealogy records, Norwegian genealogy records, or Danish genealogy records within your family's town of origin • Detailed guides to finding and decoding common Scandinavian records, including: church records, civil registration records, census returns, property deeds, military records, and many more • Quick guides to Scandinavian history, geography, and language • Historical timelines, sample records, and resource lists that will bring your family history to life If your family tree includes Swedish roots, Danish roots, or Norwegian roots, The Family Tree Scandinavian Genealogy Guide is a must-have for your genealogy research.

The Family Tree Scandinavian Genealogy Guide: How to Trace Your Ancestors in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway

Europe

Family Tree Books

Welcome to the Not-So-Glorious Days
With the uncertain economy, lingering wars, and the ever-present threats of everything from bird flu to Bieber Fever, it's tempting to long for the "good old days." But just how good were they?
Buckle up for a bumpy ride down memory lane (and try not to get trampled) as these 665 funny history facts and terrifying truths reveal the unfortunate reality of life during the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. From patents that should still be pending to hairdos that attract vermin, these horrors will leave you thankful you didn't have to struggle to live through them.
Brace yourself as the truth hits you like an ice-cold Victorian-era shower with enough pressure to knock you unconscious. Get ready to shudder with laughter (or horror) at these funny moments in history that are not to be forgotten.

Good Old Days My Ass: 665 Funny History Facts & Terrifying Truths about Yesteryear

Humor & Entertainment

Puzzles & Games

Penguin Publishing Group

The Bones of Writing: Structure secrets for nonfiction success.

Reference

Writing, Research & Publishing Guides

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Books by Fryxell, David A.