Author: Kim MacKinnon
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 1681062100
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 307
Book Description
What Boston landmark was first envisioned in a newspaper column? Which of the city’s nicknames was originally meant as an insult? What is the story with that costumed bear playing music in the T? You’ll find the answers to these questions and many more in Secret Boston—a guide to the unknown, strange, forgotten, and wonderful places and people that make up the Hub of the Universe. In a city with this much history, the mists of time are bound to hide more than a few hidden gems. Learn the fascinating history of the area’s more unique landmarks, quirkier places, and legends, generally known only to locals, and sometimes not even by them. Learn about the building that announces the weather by color. Hear the stories behind the tourist stops, like the person who rowed out to the USS Constitution and sawed off its figurehead or the iconic Boston sight created by a nun. Author and longtime local Kim Foley MacKinnon brings an insider’s perspective to revealing the secrets of this historic and creative city. Even those who think they know everything about Boston will be surprised by some of its forgotten history, hard-to-find landmarks, and colorful characters.
Secret Boston: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure
Author: Kim MacKinnon
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 1681062100
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 307
Book Description
What Boston landmark was first envisioned in a newspaper column? Which of the city’s nicknames was originally meant as an insult? What is the story with that costumed bear playing music in the T? You’ll find the answers to these questions and many more in Secret Boston—a guide to the unknown, strange, forgotten, and wonderful places and people that make up the Hub of the Universe. In a city with this much history, the mists of time are bound to hide more than a few hidden gems. Learn the fascinating history of the area’s more unique landmarks, quirkier places, and legends, generally known only to locals, and sometimes not even by them. Learn about the building that announces the weather by color. Hear the stories behind the tourist stops, like the person who rowed out to the USS Constitution and sawed off its figurehead or the iconic Boston sight created by a nun. Author and longtime local Kim Foley MacKinnon brings an insider’s perspective to revealing the secrets of this historic and creative city. Even those who think they know everything about Boston will be surprised by some of its forgotten history, hard-to-find landmarks, and colorful characters.
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 1681062100
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 307
Book Description
What Boston landmark was first envisioned in a newspaper column? Which of the city’s nicknames was originally meant as an insult? What is the story with that costumed bear playing music in the T? You’ll find the answers to these questions and many more in Secret Boston—a guide to the unknown, strange, forgotten, and wonderful places and people that make up the Hub of the Universe. In a city with this much history, the mists of time are bound to hide more than a few hidden gems. Learn the fascinating history of the area’s more unique landmarks, quirkier places, and legends, generally known only to locals, and sometimes not even by them. Learn about the building that announces the weather by color. Hear the stories behind the tourist stops, like the person who rowed out to the USS Constitution and sawed off its figurehead or the iconic Boston sight created by a nun. Author and longtime local Kim Foley MacKinnon brings an insider’s perspective to revealing the secrets of this historic and creative city. Even those who think they know everything about Boston will be surprised by some of its forgotten history, hard-to-find landmarks, and colorful characters.
Secret America: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure
Author: David Baugher
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 1681061236
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 327
Book Description
Did you know ...that a hidden room exists behind Abraham Lincoln s head on Mt. Rushmore? ...that North Carolina was almost accidentally destroyed in a nuclear holocaust? ...that the Mason-Dixon Line had nothing to do with dividing north from south? ...that Major League Baseball once hosted a single game between three different teams? ...that there is a designated state highway in Michigan where cars are not allowed? ...that 21 people were once killed by a 15-foot wave of molasses that devasted a Boston neighborhood? ...that the National Security Agency has a gift shop with logoed merchandise? Whether you want to visit the New York grave where Uncle Sam is buried, stop by the future hometown of Star Trek's Captain Kirk in Iowa or see the room in California where the Internet was created, Secret America: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure is your ticket to some of the nation's least-known but most interesting spots. It is here where you can explore a historical marker dedicated to Barack and Michelle Obama's first kiss, find out how to acquire logoed merchandise at the National Security Agency's gift shop or examine why Case Western Reserve University has such an unusual name. Secret America is a look at the United States as you've never seen it before a tourist guide that gives you answers to the questions no tourist ever never knew they were supposed to ask. If you are tired of trying to enliven dull family roadtrips searching backroads for the World's Largest Ball of Twine, this is a handbook for truly interesting sites that can transform any cross-country adventure into a tour of the unique spots that make America the odd but fascinating nation that it is.
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 1681061236
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 327
Book Description
Did you know ...that a hidden room exists behind Abraham Lincoln s head on Mt. Rushmore? ...that North Carolina was almost accidentally destroyed in a nuclear holocaust? ...that the Mason-Dixon Line had nothing to do with dividing north from south? ...that Major League Baseball once hosted a single game between three different teams? ...that there is a designated state highway in Michigan where cars are not allowed? ...that 21 people were once killed by a 15-foot wave of molasses that devasted a Boston neighborhood? ...that the National Security Agency has a gift shop with logoed merchandise? Whether you want to visit the New York grave where Uncle Sam is buried, stop by the future hometown of Star Trek's Captain Kirk in Iowa or see the room in California where the Internet was created, Secret America: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure is your ticket to some of the nation's least-known but most interesting spots. It is here where you can explore a historical marker dedicated to Barack and Michelle Obama's first kiss, find out how to acquire logoed merchandise at the National Security Agency's gift shop or examine why Case Western Reserve University has such an unusual name. Secret America is a look at the United States as you've never seen it before a tourist guide that gives you answers to the questions no tourist ever never knew they were supposed to ask. If you are tired of trying to enliven dull family roadtrips searching backroads for the World's Largest Ball of Twine, this is a handbook for truly interesting sites that can transform any cross-country adventure into a tour of the unique spots that make America the odd but fascinating nation that it is.
Fodor's Boston
Author: Fodor's Travel Guides
Publisher: Fodor's Travel
ISBN: 1640975543
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 416
Book Description
Whether you want to explore Boston Common, follow the Freedom Trail, or grab a cannoli in the North End, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Boston are here to help you experience our New England favorites! Fodor’s Boston guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This new edition travel guide has been fully-redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. Fodor’s Boston travel guide includes: AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do MULTIPLE ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your time MORE THAN 20 DETAILED MAPS and a FREE PULL-OUT MAP to help you navigate confidently COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust! HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCALS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, and more PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “Boston’s Best Things to Eat and Drink” “Free Things to Do in Boston,” “Boston’s Best Best Places to Experience History,” “Boston’s Best Museums,” and more TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local people, politics, art, architecture, cuisine, music, geography, and more SPECIAL FEATURES on “Follow the Redbrick Road: Boston’s Freedom Trail” LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gems UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE ON: Beacon Hill, Boston Common, the North End, the Old West End, Charlestown, Back Bay, the South End, the Fenway, Kenmore Square, Downtown Boston, the Waterfront, Seaport, Fenway Park, Faneuil Hall, Boston Public Garden, the Frog Pond, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Newbury Street, the Freedom Trail, Museum of Fine Arts, and much more. Planning on visiting more of New England? Check out Fodor’s Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire and Fodor’s New England. *Important note for digital editions: The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition. ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor’s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.com/community to ask any other questions and share your experience with us!
Publisher: Fodor's Travel
ISBN: 1640975543
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 416
Book Description
Whether you want to explore Boston Common, follow the Freedom Trail, or grab a cannoli in the North End, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Boston are here to help you experience our New England favorites! Fodor’s Boston guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This new edition travel guide has been fully-redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. Fodor’s Boston travel guide includes: AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do MULTIPLE ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your time MORE THAN 20 DETAILED MAPS and a FREE PULL-OUT MAP to help you navigate confidently COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust! HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCALS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, and more PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “Boston’s Best Things to Eat and Drink” “Free Things to Do in Boston,” “Boston’s Best Best Places to Experience History,” “Boston’s Best Museums,” and more TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local people, politics, art, architecture, cuisine, music, geography, and more SPECIAL FEATURES on “Follow the Redbrick Road: Boston’s Freedom Trail” LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gems UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE ON: Beacon Hill, Boston Common, the North End, the Old West End, Charlestown, Back Bay, the South End, the Fenway, Kenmore Square, Downtown Boston, the Waterfront, Seaport, Fenway Park, Faneuil Hall, Boston Public Garden, the Frog Pond, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Newbury Street, the Freedom Trail, Museum of Fine Arts, and much more. Planning on visiting more of New England? Check out Fodor’s Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire and Fodor’s New England. *Important note for digital editions: The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition. ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor’s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.com/community to ask any other questions and share your experience with us!
Weird Massachusetts
Author: Jeff Belanger
Publisher: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
ISBN: 9781402754371
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 260
Book Description
Massachusetts and weird: not too much of a stretch, some would say. But the authors dug a little deeper and found all kinds of local legends, bizarre beasts, surprising cemeteries, and uncovered the best kept secrets from all over the Bay State. If it's unusual or unexplainable or fantastic, and in the Bay State, you'll find it all here.
Publisher: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
ISBN: 9781402754371
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 260
Book Description
Massachusetts and weird: not too much of a stretch, some would say. But the authors dug a little deeper and found all kinds of local legends, bizarre beasts, surprising cemeteries, and uncovered the best kept secrets from all over the Bay State. If it's unusual or unexplainable or fantastic, and in the Bay State, you'll find it all here.
Secret New York
Author: T. M. Rives
Publisher: Secret
ISBN: 9782361950248
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Admire an amazing apocalyptic pillar in a church, relax in secret gardens, view the New York version of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, visit a secret subway tunnel, watch the stars through a university telescope, track down a statue of Lenin, have your skirts billow up at the very same grating as Marilyn Monroe, gaze at a roomful of dirt, find a Venetian palazzo above a former stable, spot the forbidden island that was once declared a sovereign nation by a guy in a rowboat, track down a townhouse concealing a subway tunnel, walk under the canopy of the primeval forest, read a memorial plaque to an event that happened in another dimension, fall into a trance before a piece of subway art that flickers and moves, have your bicycle blessed in church. New York offers endless opportunity to step off the program and peer into the city's fascinating past and present. "Secret New York An Unusual Guide" is an indispensible resource for those who thought they already knew everything about America's metropolis, or want to begin exploring it hidden places.
Publisher: Secret
ISBN: 9782361950248
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Admire an amazing apocalyptic pillar in a church, relax in secret gardens, view the New York version of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, visit a secret subway tunnel, watch the stars through a university telescope, track down a statue of Lenin, have your skirts billow up at the very same grating as Marilyn Monroe, gaze at a roomful of dirt, find a Venetian palazzo above a former stable, spot the forbidden island that was once declared a sovereign nation by a guy in a rowboat, track down a townhouse concealing a subway tunnel, walk under the canopy of the primeval forest, read a memorial plaque to an event that happened in another dimension, fall into a trance before a piece of subway art that flickers and moves, have your bicycle blessed in church. New York offers endless opportunity to step off the program and peer into the city's fascinating past and present. "Secret New York An Unusual Guide" is an indispensible resource for those who thought they already knew everything about America's metropolis, or want to begin exploring it hidden places.
Secret Los Angeles: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure
Author: Danny Jensen
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 168106216X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 315
Book Description
To the untrained eye, Los Angeles may seem like a spectacle of glitz and glamour, freeways and traffic snarls. But beneath those superficial impressions hides a richly complex and diverse city teeming with quirky art, dazzling buildings, hidden histories, strange spectacles, and inspiring cultural landmarks. Secret Los Angeles guides you to the hidden gems that make the city and surrounding county truly sparkle. Discover the story behind the featherbrained “Statue of Liberty of L.A.” and the butterflies of an abandoned oceanside neighborhood. Stroll along the other walks of fame and drive along a musical road. Explore a historic movie palace hidden in the Jewelry District and find the inspiration for Disneyland nestled within Griffith Park. Find the secretive locations of Prohibition-era speakeasies and sip top-notch booze at a Willy Wonka-like distillery. Experience a reenactment of the Great Los Angeles Air Raid and uncover the history of Central Avenue’s jazz legacy. Local author Danny Jensen directs you to under-the-radar destinations that are often overlooked, even by locals, yet offer fascinating insight into a place that captures so many people’s imagination. Whether you’ve recently arrived or lived here all your life, this book will help you see and understand L.A. in a completely new way and inspire you to explore further.
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 168106216X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 315
Book Description
To the untrained eye, Los Angeles may seem like a spectacle of glitz and glamour, freeways and traffic snarls. But beneath those superficial impressions hides a richly complex and diverse city teeming with quirky art, dazzling buildings, hidden histories, strange spectacles, and inspiring cultural landmarks. Secret Los Angeles guides you to the hidden gems that make the city and surrounding county truly sparkle. Discover the story behind the featherbrained “Statue of Liberty of L.A.” and the butterflies of an abandoned oceanside neighborhood. Stroll along the other walks of fame and drive along a musical road. Explore a historic movie palace hidden in the Jewelry District and find the inspiration for Disneyland nestled within Griffith Park. Find the secretive locations of Prohibition-era speakeasies and sip top-notch booze at a Willy Wonka-like distillery. Experience a reenactment of the Great Los Angeles Air Raid and uncover the history of Central Avenue’s jazz legacy. Local author Danny Jensen directs you to under-the-radar destinations that are often overlooked, even by locals, yet offer fascinating insight into a place that captures so many people’s imagination. Whether you’ve recently arrived or lived here all your life, this book will help you see and understand L.A. in a completely new way and inspire you to explore further.
The Nerviest Girl in the World
Author: Melissa Wiley
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 0375870385
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 210
Book Description
A feisty girl from a family of ranchers lands a job as a daredevil stunt girl in the early days of silent film in this adventurous and funny cross between Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken and Ramona. Pearl lives on a ranch where her chores include collecting eggs and feeding ornery ostriches. She has three older brothers, who don't coddle her at all. And she knows a thing or two about horses, too. One day, Pearl's brothers get cushy jobs doing stunts for this new form of entertainment called "moving pictures." They're the Daredevil Donnelly Brothers, a Death-Defying Cowboy Trio. Before she knows it, Pearl has stumbled into being a stunt girl herself--and dreams of becoming a star. The only problem is, her mother has no idea what she's up to. And let's just say she wouldn't be too happy to find out that Pearl's been jumping out of burning buildings in her spare time. Filled with action, humor, and heart--not to mention those pesky ostriches--The Nerviest Girl in the World introduces a spunky heroine whose adventures will have kids on the edge of their seats and whose sense of humor will have them laughing until the very last line.
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 0375870385
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 210
Book Description
A feisty girl from a family of ranchers lands a job as a daredevil stunt girl in the early days of silent film in this adventurous and funny cross between Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken and Ramona. Pearl lives on a ranch where her chores include collecting eggs and feeding ornery ostriches. She has three older brothers, who don't coddle her at all. And she knows a thing or two about horses, too. One day, Pearl's brothers get cushy jobs doing stunts for this new form of entertainment called "moving pictures." They're the Daredevil Donnelly Brothers, a Death-Defying Cowboy Trio. Before she knows it, Pearl has stumbled into being a stunt girl herself--and dreams of becoming a star. The only problem is, her mother has no idea what she's up to. And let's just say she wouldn't be too happy to find out that Pearl's been jumping out of burning buildings in her spare time. Filled with action, humor, and heart--not to mention those pesky ostriches--The Nerviest Girl in the World introduces a spunky heroine whose adventures will have kids on the edge of their seats and whose sense of humor will have them laughing until the very last line.
Atlas Obscura
Author: Joshua Foer
Publisher: Workman Publishing
ISBN: 076118967X
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 481
Book Description
It's time to get off the beaten path. Inspiring equal parts wonder and wanderlust, Atlas Obscura celebrates over 700 of the strangest and most curious places in the world. Talk about a bucket list: here are natural wonders—the dazzling glowworm caves in New Zealand, or a baobob tree in South Africa that's so large it has a pub inside where 15 people can drink comfortably. Architectural marvels, including the M.C. Escher-like stepwells in India. Mind-boggling events, like the Baby Jumping Festival in Spain, where men dressed as devils literally vault over rows of squirming infants. Not to mention the Great Stalacpipe Organ in Virginia, Turkmenistan's 40-year hole of fire called the Gates of Hell, a graveyard for decommissioned ships on the coast of Bangladesh, eccentric bone museums in Italy, or a weather-forecasting invention that was powered by leeches, still on display in Devon, England. Created by Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras and Ella Morton, ATLAS OBSCURA revels in the weird, the unexpected, the overlooked, the hidden and the mysterious. Every page expands our sense of how strange and marvelous the world really is. And with its compelling descriptions, hundreds of photographs, surprising charts, maps for every region of the world, it is a book to enter anywhere, and will be as appealing to the armchair traveler as the die-hard adventurer. Anyone can be a tourist. ATLAS OBSCURA is for the explorer.
Publisher: Workman Publishing
ISBN: 076118967X
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 481
Book Description
It's time to get off the beaten path. Inspiring equal parts wonder and wanderlust, Atlas Obscura celebrates over 700 of the strangest and most curious places in the world. Talk about a bucket list: here are natural wonders—the dazzling glowworm caves in New Zealand, or a baobob tree in South Africa that's so large it has a pub inside where 15 people can drink comfortably. Architectural marvels, including the M.C. Escher-like stepwells in India. Mind-boggling events, like the Baby Jumping Festival in Spain, where men dressed as devils literally vault over rows of squirming infants. Not to mention the Great Stalacpipe Organ in Virginia, Turkmenistan's 40-year hole of fire called the Gates of Hell, a graveyard for decommissioned ships on the coast of Bangladesh, eccentric bone museums in Italy, or a weather-forecasting invention that was powered by leeches, still on display in Devon, England. Created by Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras and Ella Morton, ATLAS OBSCURA revels in the weird, the unexpected, the overlooked, the hidden and the mysterious. Every page expands our sense of how strange and marvelous the world really is. And with its compelling descriptions, hundreds of photographs, surprising charts, maps for every region of the world, it is a book to enter anywhere, and will be as appealing to the armchair traveler as the die-hard adventurer. Anyone can be a tourist. ATLAS OBSCURA is for the explorer.
The Secret
Author: Byron Preiss
Publisher: ibooks
ISBN:
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 1
Book Description
The tale begins over three-hundred years ago, when the Fair People—the goblins, fairies, dragons, and other fabled and fantastic creatures of a dozen lands—fled the Old World for the New, seeking haven from the ways of Man. With them came their precious jewels: diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls... But then the Fair People vanished, taking with them their twelve fabulous treasures. And they remained hidden until now... Across North America, these twelve treasures, over ten-thousand dollars in precious jewels, are buried. The key to finding each can be found within the twelve full color paintings and verses of The Secret. Yet The Secret is much more than that. At long last, you can learn not only the whereabouts of the Fair People's treasure, but also the modern forms and hiding places of their descendants: the Toll Trolls, Maitre D'eamons, Elf Alphas, Tupperwerewolves, Freudian Sylphs, Culture Vultures, West Ghosts and other delightful creatures in the world around us. The Secret is a field guide to them all. Many "armchair treasure hunt" books have been published over the years, most notably Masquerade (1979) by British artist Kit Williams. Masquerade promised a jewel-encrusted golden hare to the first person to unravel the riddle that Williams cleverly hid in his art. In 1982, while everyone in Britain was still madly digging up hedgerows and pastures in search of the golden hare, The Secret: A Treasure Hunt was published in America. The previous year, author and publisher Byron Preiss had traveled to 12 locations in the continental U.S. (and possibly Canada) to secretly bury a dozen ceramic casques. Each casque contained a small key that could be redeemed for one of 12 jewels Preiss kept in a safe deposit box in New York. The key to finding the casques was to match one of 12 paintings to one of 12 poetic verses, solve the resulting riddle, and start digging. Since 1982, only two of the 12 casques have been recovered. The first was located in Grant Park, Chicago, in 1984 by a group of students. The second was unearthed in 2004 in Cleveland by two members of the Quest4Treasure forum. Preiss was killed in an auto accident in the summer of 2005, but the hunt for his casques continues.
Publisher: ibooks
ISBN:
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 1
Book Description
The tale begins over three-hundred years ago, when the Fair People—the goblins, fairies, dragons, and other fabled and fantastic creatures of a dozen lands—fled the Old World for the New, seeking haven from the ways of Man. With them came their precious jewels: diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls... But then the Fair People vanished, taking with them their twelve fabulous treasures. And they remained hidden until now... Across North America, these twelve treasures, over ten-thousand dollars in precious jewels, are buried. The key to finding each can be found within the twelve full color paintings and verses of The Secret. Yet The Secret is much more than that. At long last, you can learn not only the whereabouts of the Fair People's treasure, but also the modern forms and hiding places of their descendants: the Toll Trolls, Maitre D'eamons, Elf Alphas, Tupperwerewolves, Freudian Sylphs, Culture Vultures, West Ghosts and other delightful creatures in the world around us. The Secret is a field guide to them all. Many "armchair treasure hunt" books have been published over the years, most notably Masquerade (1979) by British artist Kit Williams. Masquerade promised a jewel-encrusted golden hare to the first person to unravel the riddle that Williams cleverly hid in his art. In 1982, while everyone in Britain was still madly digging up hedgerows and pastures in search of the golden hare, The Secret: A Treasure Hunt was published in America. The previous year, author and publisher Byron Preiss had traveled to 12 locations in the continental U.S. (and possibly Canada) to secretly bury a dozen ceramic casques. Each casque contained a small key that could be redeemed for one of 12 jewels Preiss kept in a safe deposit box in New York. The key to finding the casques was to match one of 12 paintings to one of 12 poetic verses, solve the resulting riddle, and start digging. Since 1982, only two of the 12 casques have been recovered. The first was located in Grant Park, Chicago, in 1984 by a group of students. The second was unearthed in 2004 in Cleveland by two members of the Quest4Treasure forum. Preiss was killed in an auto accident in the summer of 2005, but the hunt for his casques continues.
The Secret of Our Success
Author: Joseph Henrich
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691178437
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 464
Book Description
How our collective intelligence has helped us to evolve and prosper Humans are a puzzling species. On the one hand, we struggle to survive on our own in the wild, often failing to overcome even basic challenges, like obtaining food, building shelters, or avoiding predators. On the other hand, human groups have produced ingenious technologies, sophisticated languages, and complex institutions that have permitted us to successfully expand into a vast range of diverse environments. What has enabled us to dominate the globe, more than any other species, while remaining virtually helpless as lone individuals? This book shows that the secret of our success lies not in our innate intelligence, but in our collective brains—on the ability of human groups to socially interconnect and learn from one another over generations. Drawing insights from lost European explorers, clever chimpanzees, mobile hunter-gatherers, neuroscientific findings, ancient bones, and the human genome, Joseph Henrich demonstrates how our collective brains have propelled our species' genetic evolution and shaped our biology. Our early capacities for learning from others produced many cultural innovations, such as fire, cooking, water containers, plant knowledge, and projectile weapons, which in turn drove the expansion of our brains and altered our physiology, anatomy, and psychology in crucial ways. Later on, some collective brains generated and recombined powerful concepts, such as the lever, wheel, screw, and writing, while also creating the institutions that continue to alter our motivations and perceptions. Henrich shows how our genetics and biology are inextricably interwoven with cultural evolution, and how culture-gene interactions launched our species on an extraordinary evolutionary trajectory. Tracking clues from our ancient past to the present, The Secret of Our Success explores how the evolution of both our cultural and social natures produce a collective intelligence that explains both our species' immense success and the origins of human uniqueness.
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691178437
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 464
Book Description
How our collective intelligence has helped us to evolve and prosper Humans are a puzzling species. On the one hand, we struggle to survive on our own in the wild, often failing to overcome even basic challenges, like obtaining food, building shelters, or avoiding predators. On the other hand, human groups have produced ingenious technologies, sophisticated languages, and complex institutions that have permitted us to successfully expand into a vast range of diverse environments. What has enabled us to dominate the globe, more than any other species, while remaining virtually helpless as lone individuals? This book shows that the secret of our success lies not in our innate intelligence, but in our collective brains—on the ability of human groups to socially interconnect and learn from one another over generations. Drawing insights from lost European explorers, clever chimpanzees, mobile hunter-gatherers, neuroscientific findings, ancient bones, and the human genome, Joseph Henrich demonstrates how our collective brains have propelled our species' genetic evolution and shaped our biology. Our early capacities for learning from others produced many cultural innovations, such as fire, cooking, water containers, plant knowledge, and projectile weapons, which in turn drove the expansion of our brains and altered our physiology, anatomy, and psychology in crucial ways. Later on, some collective brains generated and recombined powerful concepts, such as the lever, wheel, screw, and writing, while also creating the institutions that continue to alter our motivations and perceptions. Henrich shows how our genetics and biology are inextricably interwoven with cultural evolution, and how culture-gene interactions launched our species on an extraordinary evolutionary trajectory. Tracking clues from our ancient past to the present, The Secret of Our Success explores how the evolution of both our cultural and social natures produce a collective intelligence that explains both our species' immense success and the origins of human uniqueness.