Relates the curious stories behind the extinction of peoples, beliefs, fashions, customs, and inventions
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Panati ( Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things ), former physicist and former science editor of Newsweek , brings to a potentially morbid or macabre subject his characteristically wry intellectual curiosity. Brief essays on "lasts" and "endings" run the gamut from the bequests of U.S. presidents (Truman left one grandnephew five dollars because he was a seminarian who had taken a vow of poverty) to the benighted medical procedures that inadvertently created the last great castrato singer: Giovanni Velluti. Panati's dogged pursuit of bizarre or unusual story threads makes this a book sure to satisfy the browser who is seduced by trivia. Demystifying many cultural icons in his meanderings through the habits of the renowned, he concludes that Florence Nightingale, bedridden for the last 54 of her 90 years, was afflicted with "productive hypochrondria" that "allowed her to accomplish prodigious amounts of work from her bed"; and reports Walt Whitman's last words: "Garrulous to the very last." Again and again, Panati deftly verifies that death is, indeed, the great leveler. Photos not seen by PW. BOMC dividend; QPB alternate; author tour.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Seller: Gulf Coast Books, Cypress, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # 006055181X-3-19231905
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Acceptable. Item in acceptable condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00100291292
Seller: Once Upon A Time Books, Siloam Springs, AR, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Acceptable. This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or the book may show heavier signs of wear . It may also be ex-library or without dustjacket. This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or the book may show heavier signs of wear . It may also be ex-library or without dustjacket. Seller Inventory # mon0003541377
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # GRP102365787
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 4619192-6
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Former library book; Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G006055181XI3N11
Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_476028802
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Thus. With dust jacket. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting. Seller Inventory # 006055181X-11-6-29
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_483488699
Seller: Magus Books Seattle, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: VG-. used trade paperback edition. lightly shelfworn, corners perhaps slightly bumped. pages and binding are clean, straight and tight. there are no marks to the text or other serious flaws. Seller Inventory # 1455399