The Complete Language of Flowers is a comprehensive encyclopedia providing the meanings, powers, facts, and folklore for over 1,001 flower species.

Along with a beautiful visual depiction, each entry provides the flower's scientific and common names, characteristics, and historic meanings and powers from mythology, medieval legends, folklore, and flower poetry.

For centuries, symbolic flower meanings have fascinated readers, writers, poets, and suddenly smitten couples alike. Extremely popular during the Victorian era, these floriographies flourished and versed the public on the hidden meaning of popular flowers such as:

• Purple Tulip--Eternal love
• Amaryllis--Adventurousness; Enthusiasm; Passion
• Daisy--Beauty and innocence; Cheer; Childlike playfulness
• Sunflower--Ambition; Constancy; Devotion

Together with stunning full-color illustrations and two indexes, one for searching by common flower name and the other organized by meaning, this beautiful reference is a must-have for gardeners, florists, and flower enthusiasts. Whether you're looking to arrange the perfectly bespoken wedding bouquet or to understand what the yellow rose you just received from an admirer means (friendship), this updated floriography is a visual delight.

Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, the Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy references on a range of intriguing topics, including birthday astrology, dream interpretation, techniques for harnessing the power of dreams, and the stories behind signs and symbols.

Throughout the ages flags have been a means of cultural and national identity, communication, and a means of representation for groups and associations. Compiled by a leading authority this book, newly updated for this larger format edition, is a definitive and exhaustive visual reference to international flags, from the largest countries to the smallest states. Split into two sections, the first part of the book presents a fascinating overview of the history of flags, from the 3rd century BC to the 21st century. The second section covers over 600 flags in current use, including a continent- by-continent examination of countries, territories, organizations, individuals and causes. Lavishly illustrated, this book is both a stunning reference book and an invaluable resource. Fascinating and compelling, it offers historical, geographical and political insights into one of our most ancient forms of identification and communication.

There is little more terrifying than those who hunt, stalk and snatch their prey under the cloak of darkness. These hunters search not for animals, but for the touch, taste, and empowerment of human flesh. They are cannibals, vampires and monsters, and they walk among us.

These serial killers are not mythical beasts with horns and shaggy hair. They are people living in society, going about their day-to-day activities until nightfall. They are the Dennis Rader's, the fathers, husbands, church-going members of the community.

This A-Z encyclopedia of 150 serial killers is the ideal reference book. Included are the most famous true crime serial killers, like Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, and Richard Ramirez, and not to mention the women who kill, such as Aileen Wuornos and Martha Rendell. There are also lesser-known serial killers, covering many countries around the world, so the range is broad.

Each of the serial killer files includes information on when and how they killed the victims, the background of each killer, or the suspects in some cases such as the Zodiac killer, their trials and punishments. For some, there are chilling quotes by the killers themselves. The Big Book of Serial Killers is an easy-to-follow collection of information on the world's most heinous murderers.

We all have learned it: The Holocaust lasted four years (1941-1945), took place in thousands of locations across an entire continent (Europe), and involved thousands of perpetrators and millions of victims. But when it comes to details, most of us flounder. Many websites can help us to learn more, and even a few encyclopedias. Leading among them is the four-volume encyclopedia published by Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center: The Encyclopedia of the Holocaust (1990). For every significant crime scene of the Holocaust, it presents a condensed narrative. However, it contains little if any information on what evidence this narrative is based on, and how this narrative has changed over time. While their encyclopedia contains many biographies of heroes, martyrs and villains, it contains not a single entry about witnesses and their stories, even though Yad Vashem insists that these stories are the foundation of our knowledge.

We all know that, when a murder is committed, the murder weapon and the traces the murderers left behind are of crucial importance. Yet Yad Vashem's encyclopedia has no entries explaining scientific findings on these matters - not one.

This is where the present encyclopedia steps in. It not only summarizes and explains the many pieces that make up the larger Holocaust picture, but it also reveals the evidence we have that confirms or contradicts certain notions. Nearly 300 entries present the essence of important witness accounts. They are all subjected to source criticism, which is the most important tool that a historian has. This enables the reader to choose which claim to believe, and which not.

For all major Holocaust crime scenes, entries report about the sometimes-conflicting claims made about them. You learn how our knowledge has changed over time, and what evidence we have today that shores up the currently valid narrative of places such as Auschwitz, Belzec, Sobibór, Treblinka, Dachau and Bergen-Belsen, to name only a few.

Several entries discuss the various tools and mechanisms reported by witnesses to have been used for the mass murders, and how the traces of the crimes were reportedly erased, if at all. Numerous other entries discuss toxicological issues surrounding the various lethal gases claimed to have been used.

This encyclopedia also has multiple entries on some more-or-less common claims about aspects of the Holocaust, including a list of Who said it? This enables the reader to quickly find sources for these claims.

Finally, several entries address factors that have influenced the creation of the Holocaust narrative, and how we perceive it today. This includes, among others, entries on psychological warfare and propaganda during the war; on conditions prevailing during criminal investigations and trials of defendants accused of having been Holocaust perpetrators; on censorship against historical dissidents; on the religious dimension of the Holocaust narrative; and on motives of all sides involved in creating and spreading their diverse Holocaust narratives.

In this important volume, now with 584 entries, you will discover many astounding aspects of the Holocaust narrative that you did not even know exist.

By making easily accessible the incontrovertible evidence for what really happened, this encyclopedia empowers everyone to successfully oppose and refute all those who deny the facts of this event often referred to as the Crime of the 20th Century. It vanquishes bigoted polemics with historical accuracy. Full-color edition with 189 b&w and 167 color illustrations.

The Book of Bizarre Truths is a 704-page collection of answers to hundreds of provocative questions covering a vast range of topics, from the strange to the sublime.

• Includes urban legends, old wives tales, misattributed quotes, and corrected so-called facts and trivia that have gained authenticity despite less-than-reliable sources.
• Topics covered include the animal kingdom, health, origins, traditions, science, history, geography, sports, people, and food.
• More than 200 questions that are answered, including:
  • Do cows cause global warming?
  • How many ants make a full meal for an anteater?
  • How late is fashionably late?
  • What's the smelliest thing on the planet?
  • Do woodpeckers get headaches?

The Book of Bizarre Truths is for readers who expect to be informed, entertained, and humored.

There is little more terrifying than those who hunt, stalk and snatch their prey under the cloak of darkness. These hunters search not for animals, but for the touch, taste, and empowerment of human flesh. They are cannibals, vampires and monsters, and they walk among us.

These serial killers are not mythical beasts with horns and shaggy hair. They are people living among society, going about their day to day activities until nightfall. They are the Dennis Rader's, the fathers, husbands, church going members of the community.

This A-Z encyclopedia of 150 serial killers is the ideal reference book. Included are the most famous true crime serial killers, like Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, and Richard Ramirez, and not to mention the women who kill, such as Aileen Wuornos and Martha Rendell. There are also lesser known serial killers, covering many countries around the world, so the range is broad.

Each of the serial killer files includes information on when and how they killed the victims, the background of each killer, or the suspects in some cases such as the Zodiac killer, their trials and punishments. For some there are chilling quotes by the killers themselves. The Big Book of Serial Killers is an easy to follow collection of information on the world's most heinous murderers.

Handbook of Gem Identification, first published in 1947 and extensively revised over the years, is an authoritative look at the methods used to identify both common and rare gemstones. This reprint of the 6^th edition, published in 1962, updates the original work and incorporates much new information. As the author states: Although many books have been written describing gemstones and their occurrence, there is a need for books which give both the jeweler and the layman with limited equipment an outline for making the simple and often conclusive tests that identify gems. If properly used this handbook will help to fill that need.

From the Foreword to the first edition: Today jewelers and the general public are better informed concerning gems than ever before. In the United States, this is due in large measure to the wide dissemination of gemological information during the last quarter of a century through the publication of authoritative texts on gems, the formation of many mineralogical clubs, and especially through the activities of the Gemological Institute of America, founded in 1931, and of the American Gem Society, organized in 1934. For some time, however, it has been recognized that there is need for a manual describing in detail the various methods and procedures to be followed in the identification of gems. This need is now being supplied by Richard T. Liddicoat's Handbook of Gem Identification.

By his excellent scientific training and his extensive experience at the Gemological Institute of America, Mr. Liddicoat is well qualified to author an authoritative handbook. Moreover, he has had the benefit of the counsel and advice of Director Robert M. Shipley and others at the Institute.

In the opening chapters, the essentials concerning the important properties of gemstones are described in a lucid manner. Manufactured stones and the instruments used for testing are discussed in several chapters. The main portion of the book is devoted to the tests and procedures to be followed in the identification of gemstones, which are grouped according to As the tests and procedures are outlined in great detail, there should be no difficulty whatever in following them. The book also includes useful tables of properties, a glossary, and various flow charts.

This handbook should prove to be very helpful in the making of accurate determinations of gemstones. It is a valuable addition to gemological literature, and will be welcomed by dealers in, and lovers of, gems.

Since 1619, when Africans first came ashore in the swampy Chesapeake region of Virginia, there have been many individuals whose achievements or strength of character in the face of monumental hardships have called attention to the genius of the African American people. This book attempts to distill from many wonderful possibilities the 100 most outstanding examples of greatness. Pioneering scholar of African American Studies Molefi Kete Asante has used four criteria in his selection: the individual's significance in the general progress of African Americans toward full equality in the American social and political system; self-sacrifice and the demonstration of risk for the collective good; unusual will and determination in the face of the greatest danger or against the most stubborn odds; and personal achievement that reveals the best qualities of the African American people. In adopting these criteria Professor Asante has sought to steer away from the usual standards of popular culture, which often elevates the most popular, the wealthiest, or the most photogenic to the cult of celebrity. The individuals in this book - examples of lasting greatness as opposed to the ephemeral glare of celebrity fame - come from four centuries of African American history. Each entry includes brief biographical information, relevant dates, an assessment of the individual's place in African American history with particular reference to a historical timeline, and a discussion of his or her unique impact on American society. Numerous pictures and illustrations will accompany the articles. This superb reference work will complement any library and be of special interest to students and scholars of American and African American history.

We all have learned it: The Holocaust lasted four years (1941-1945), took place in thousands of locations across an entire continent (Europe), and involved thousands of perpetrators and millions of victims. But when it comes to details, most of us flounder. Many websites can help us to learn more, and even a few encyclopedias. Leading among them is the four-volume encyclopedia published by Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center: The Encyclopedia of the Holocaust (1990). For every significant crime scene of the Holocaust, it presents a condensed narrative. However, it contains little if any information on what evidence this narrative is based on, and how this narrative has changed over time. While their encyclopedia contains many biographies of heroes, martyrs and villains, it contains not a single entry about witnesses and their stories, even though Yad Vashem insists that these stories are the foundation of our knowledge.

We all know that, when a murder is committed, the murder weapon and the traces the murderers left behind are of crucial importance. Yet Yad Vashem's encyclopedia has no entries explaining scientific findings on these matters - not one.

This is where the present encyclopedia steps in. It not only summarizes and explains the many pieces that make up the larger Holocaust picture, but it also reveals the evidence we have that confirms or contradicts certain notions. Nearly 300 entries present the essence of important witness accounts. They are all subjected to source criticism, which is the most important tool that a historian has. This enables the reader to choose which claim to believe, and which not.

For all major Holocaust crime scenes, entries report about the sometimes-conflicting claims made about them. You learn how our knowledge has changed over time, and what evidence we have today that shores up the currently valid narrative of places such as Auschwitz, Belzec, Sobibór, Treblinka, Dachau and Bergen-Belsen, to name only a few.

Several entries discuss the various tools and mechanisms reported by witnesses to have been used for the mass murders, and how the traces of the crimes were reportedly erased, if at all. Numerous other entries discuss toxicological issues surrounding the various lethal gases claimed to have been used.

This encyclopedia also has multiple entries on some more-or-less common claims about aspects of the Holocaust, including a list of Who said it? This enables the reader to quickly find sources for these claims.

Finally, several entries address factors that have influenced the creation of the Holocaust narrative, and how we perceive it today. This includes, among others, entries on psychological warfare and propaganda during the war; on conditions prevailing during criminal investigations and trials of defendants accused of having been Holocaust perpetrators; on censorship against historical dissidents; on the religious dimension of the Holocaust narrative; and on motives of all sides involved in creating and spreading their diverse Holocaust narratives.

In this important volume, now with 586 entries, you will discover many astounding aspects of the Holocaust narrative that you did not even know exist.

By making easily accessible the incontrovertible evidence for what really happened, this encyclopedia empowers everyone to successfully oppose and refute all those who deny the facts of this event often referred to as the Crime of the 20th Century. It vanquishes bigoted polemics with historical accuracy. Full-color edition with 187 b&w and 171 color illustrations.

If you're curious about The Walt Disney Company, this comprehensive, newly revised and updated encyclopedia is your one-stop guide!

Filled with significant achievements, short biographies, historic dates, and tons of trivia-worthy tidbits and anecdotes, this newly updated collection covers all things Disney--from A to Z--through more than nine thousand entries and two hundred images across more than a thousand pages.

The sixth edition includes all the major Disney theme park attractions, restaurants, and shows; summaries of ABC and Disney television shows and Disney+ series; rundowns on all major films and characters; the latest and greatest from Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm; key actors, songs, and animators from Disney films and shows; and so much more!

Searching for more ways to celebrate Disney100? Explore these books from Disney Editions:

• The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder
• The Official Walt Disney Quote Book
• Walt Disney: An American Original, Commemorative Edition

The definitive guide to the best gardening techniques from pruning to propagation and planting to harvesting by the American Horticultural Society

This step-by-step guide to essential gardening practice is a must-have reference showing modern methods to a new generation of gardeners. Compiled by leading specialists in every area of gardening, the book contains a vast amount of expert information clearly demonstrating the tried-and-tested techniques honed by the world's leading gardening authority.

Using more than 1,600 artworks in more than 400 step-by-step sequences, the book covers every aspect of gardening from pruning to sowing, watering to feeding, and propagating to planting. Covering all plants including trees, flowers, shrubs, climbers, lawns, vegetables, fruit and herbs, it shows how to create water features and patios, and add lighting. It also includes organic techniques, recycling and how to treat pests and diseases. The wealth of practical information makes this book an essential purchase for both professional and amateur gardeners.

We all have learned it: The Holocaust lasted four years (1941-1945), took place in thousands of locations across an entire continent (Europe), and involved thousands of perpetrators and millions of victims. But when it comes to details, most of us flounder. Many websites can help us to learn more, and even a few encyclopedias. Leading among them is the four-volume encyclopedia published by Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center: The Encyclopedia of the Holocaust (1990). For every significant crime scene of the Holocaust, it presents a condensed narrative. However, it contains little if any information on what evidence this narrative is based on, and how this narrative has changed over time. While their encyclopedia contains many biographies of heroes, martyrs and villains, it contains not a single entry about witnesses and their stories, even though Yad Vashem insists that these stories are the foundation of our knowledge.

We all know that, when a murder is committed, the murder weapon and the traces the murderers left behind are of crucial importance. Yet Yad Vashem's encyclopedia has no entries explaining scientific findings on these matters - not one.

This is where the present encyclopedia steps in. It not only summarizes and explains the many pieces that make up the larger Holocaust picture, but it also reveals the evidence we have that confirms or contradicts certain notions. Nearly 300 entries present the essence of important witness accounts. They are all subjected to source criticism, which is the most important tool that a historian has. This enables the reader to choose which claim to believe, and which not.

For all major Holocaust crime scenes, entries report about the sometimes-conflicting claims made about them. You learn how our knowledge has changed over time, and what evidence we have today that shores up the currently valid narrative of places such as Auschwitz, Belzec, Sobibór, Treblinka, Dachau and Bergen-Belsen, to name only a few.

Several entries discuss the various tools and mechanisms reported by witnesses to have been used for the mass murders, and how the traces of the crimes were reportedly erased, if at all. Numerous other entries discuss toxicological issues surrounding the various lethal gases claimed to have been used.

This encyclopedia also has multiple entries on some more-or-less common claims about aspects of the Holocaust, including a list of Who said it? This enables the reader to quickly find sources for these claims.

Finally, several entries address factors that have influenced the creation of the Holocaust narrative, and how we perceive it today. This includes, among others, entries on psychological warfare and propaganda during the war; on conditions prevailing during criminal investigations and trials of defendants accused of having been Holocaust perpetrators; on censorship against historical dissidents; on the religious dimension of the Holocaust narrative; and on motives of all sides involved in creating and spreading their diverse Holocaust narratives.

In this important volume, now with 584 entries, you will discover many astounding aspects of the Holocaust narrative that you did not even know exist.

By making easily accessible the incontrovertible evidence for what really happened, this encyclopedia empowers everyone to successfully oppose and refute all those who deny the facts of this event often referred to as the Crime of the 20th Century. It vanquishes bigoted polemics with historical accuracy. Black-and-white edition with 356 b&w illustrations.

We all have learned it: The Holocaust lasted four years (1941-1945), took place in thousands of locations across an entire continent (Europe), and involved thousands of perpetrators and millions of victims. But when it comes to details, most of us flounder. Many websites can help us to learn more, and even a few encyclopedias. Leading among them is the four-volume encyclopedia published by Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center: The Encyclopedia of the Holocaust (1990). For every significant crime scene of the Holocaust, it presents a condensed narrative. However, it contains little if any information on what evidence this narrative is based on, and how this narrative has changed over time. While their encyclopedia contains many biographies of heroes, martyrs and villains, it contains not a single entry about witnesses and their stories, even though Yad Vashem insists that these stories are the foundation of our knowledge.

We all know that, when a murder is committed, the murder weapon and the traces the murderers left behind are of crucial importance. Yet Yad Vashem's encyclopedia has no entries explaining scientific findings on these matters - not one.

This is where the present encyclopedia steps in. It not only summarizes and explains the many pieces that make up the larger Holocaust picture, but it also reveals the evidence we have that confirms or contradicts certain notions. Nearly 300 entries present the essence of important witness accounts. They are all subjected to source criticism, which is the most important tool that a historian has. This enables the reader to choose which claim to believe, and which not.

For all major Holocaust crime scenes, entries report about the sometimes-conflicting claims made about them. You learn how our knowledge has changed over time, and what evidence we have today that shores up the currently valid narrative of places such as Auschwitz, Belzec, Sobibór, Treblinka, Dachau and Bergen-Belsen, to name only a few.

Several entries discuss the various tools and mechanisms reported by witnesses to have been used for the mass murders, and how the traces of the crimes were reportedly erased, if at all. Numerous other entries discuss toxicological issues surrounding the various lethal gases claimed to have been used.

This encyclopedia also has multiple entries on some more-or-less common claims about aspects of the Holocaust, including a list of Who said it? This enables the reader to quickly find sources for these claims.

Finally, several entries address factors that have influenced the creation of the Holocaust narrative, and how we perceive it today. This includes, among others, entries on psychological warfare and propaganda during the war; on conditions prevailing during criminal investigations and trials of defendants accused of having been Holocaust perpetrators; on censorship against historical dissidents; on the religious dimension of the Holocaust narrative; and on motives of all sides involved in creating and spreading their diverse Holocaust narratives.

In this important volume, now with 586 entries, you will discover many astounding aspects of the Holocaust narrative that you did not even know exist.

By making easily accessible the incontrovertible evidence for what really happened, this encyclopedia empowers everyone to successfully oppose and refute all those who deny the facts of this event often referred to as the Crime of the 20th Century. It vanquishes bigoted polemics with historical accuracy. Full-color edition with 187 b&w and 171 color illustrations.

An elegant new take on the classic family encyclopedia, filled with beautiful images and clear, accessible text.

Packed with facts and illustrations, this landmark book offers a reliable, visually stunning, and family-friendly alternative to online information sources.

This fully illustrated encyclopedia is the antidote to the internet. It's expertly written and beautifully presented reference for a world overloaded with unreliable information. From quantum physics to the square of the hypotenuse, Ancient Rome to the depths of the oceans, this is your one-stop knowledge shop for the digital age - clear, simple, accurate and unbiased.

This book is a comprehensive guide to a huge range of human knowledge, and includes over 4,000 images to bring information vividly to life. Its format is accessible to a wide range of readers, so it's ideal for a variety of ages, for home study - or simply for browsing for fun. Parents and teachers can be confident that children won't see any unwanted content.

The Visual Encyclopedia is the ultimate easy-to-read family guide to science, nature, space, history, art, technology, leisure, culture, and more. The information is organized thematically for simple navigation, and clear signposting makes it easy to follow connections between subjects. For family, for study, for the simple pleasure of discovery, here is a trustworthy source of knowledge and enjoyment.

This major reference work, first published in 1946, is a fully documented, alphabetical listing of over 8,000 Scottish family and personal names. Black's definitive guide includes spelling variations, an abundance of fascinating historical specifics, and a glossary of obsolete Scot words.

This classic reference provides fascinating biographical and geographical details for anyone interested in Scottish names. The Surnames of Scotland is an invaluable source of information especially for historians, in addition to genealogists and families interested in their Scottish ancestry.

Dr. George Fraser Black (1866-1948), a noted bibliographer and historical scholar on the staff of the New York Public Library from 1896 to 1931, spent almost half a century on the research of this volume. Miss Mary Elder Black, who assisted her father in the preparation of the main text, supplied the amendments and additions included as an appendix.

Explore the most fascinating superstitions from around the world and marvel at the impact they have on our present-day lives.

The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions sheds light on the impact that superstitions have on our global society at large, world history, the pop culture we consume, the art we create, and even the way we think about marriage, death, prosperity, self-protection, and luck, to name a few. No matter where on Earth you live, superstitions have always been the infrastructure of societies since ancient times. They can be found in social rules of etiquette, in the vocabulary we communicate with, in rituals performed during holidays, in birthing rooms across time, at funerals, or just in our everyday habits. These mysterious practices provide an essential source of comfort, safety, and control. Even more fascinating is that they have been used since time immemorial to explain the unexplained. Unpack the lore and origins of cultural superstitions and how they have persisted throughout many generations.

Discover how:

• Celtic fairies are behind our compulsion to knock on wood
• Norse mythology is responsible for our fear of the number 13
• Taylor Swift finds the number 13 to be lucky
• A quick death in Japan is thought to be ensured if you cut your toenails at night
• The evil eye is an important talisman in Jewish and Muslim cultures
• The meaning behind your birthstone can predict your personality
• Rabbits hold significance in some Asian and Indigenous cultures
• Finding a husband in Nebraska is as simple as 99 horses, a white mule, and a handshake
• Eating twelve grapes on New Year's Eve in Spain and Central and South America can bring forth prosperity

Beautiful illustrations further challenge the images your mind may have already held about the beliefs you instinctively carry throughout your life. You will be continually surprised and delighted by how superstitions not only define the bedrock of a culture but also demonstrate the nuanced ways in which we are all connected.

Unlock a world of wonders in The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions.

The Wonderpedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy illustrated references on a range of intriguing topics, including archeological discoveries, world mythology, pop culture, global superstitions, and the fascinating stories behind signs and symbols. A cross-cultural exploration of what makes humans tick, this series magnifies the connective threads between us across time and geography and demystifies the surprising, confounding sides of life.