Discover Alabama's curious underside with this oddly entertaining little guide! Travelers with a taste for the bizarre, tacky, and hilarious can visit the Coon Dog Cemetery, learn about the cattle-mutilation mystery, view the world's largest boll weevil, and sip Kudzu Tea. Only a true Southerner could capture the essence of these and other authentic Alabama phenomena, and Andy Duncan does his home state proud.

Amazing Alabama: A Potpourri of Fascinating Facts, Tall Tales and Storied Stories chronicles a brief history of the state, famous personages associated with Alabama, a discussion of state firsts, unique occurrences, antiquated laws and other fascinating topics.

Discover Alabama's curious underside with this oddly entertaining little guide! Travelers with a taste for the bizarre, tacky, and hilarious can visit the Coon Dog Cemetery, learn about the cattle-mutilation mystery, view the world's largest boll weevil, and sip Kudzu Tea. Only a true Southerner could capture the essence of these and other authentic Alabama phenomena, and Andy Duncan does his home state proud.

Alabama is famous for its rowdy sports fans, scholarly rocket scientists, and more good-eatin' restaurants than you can shake a stick at. Whether you were humming Hank Williams tunes before you could walk, or you're just now making your visit to the Yellowhammer State, you'll discover new treasures in 100 Things to Do in Alabama Before You Die. Visit hallowed grounds including the Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard near Tuscumbia, Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville. Or search for spirits in the ghost towns of St. Stephens and Cahawba. If that's not enough to creep you out, head to the city of Phil Campbell and Dismals Canyon at dusk to discover creepy, crawly, glowing insects. And don't forget the Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise, the world's first monument honoring an insect. Get insider's tips for dining in Alabama, like the best places to sample the fruits of farmers' labors, from satsumas in Mobile County to Chilton County peaches. If you need something more substantial, enjoy a stick-to-your-ribs meal at The Chicken Shack in Luverne or a more refined meal at Acre in Auburn from James Beard Award semifinalist chef David Bancroft. Local author and history buff Mary Johns has criss-crossed Alabama, from its majestic mountains to its beautiful beaches to help craft the most interesting itineraries for visitors and Alabamans alike. The result is this thoughtful guide chock-full of tidbits that's sure to make your Alabama experiences special and memorable.

For many Americans the mention of Africa immediately conjures up images of safaris, ferocious animals, strangely dressed "tribesmen," and impenetrable jungles. Although the occasional newspaper headline mentions authoritarian rule, corruption, genocide, devastating illnesses, or civil war in Africa, the collective American consciousness still carries strong mental images of Africa that are reflected in advertising, movies, amusement parks, cartoons, and many other corners of society. Few think to question these perceptions or how they came to be so deeply lodged in American minds. Mistaking Africa looks at the historical evolution of this mind-set and examines the role that popular media plays in its creation. The authors address the most prevalent myths and preconceptions and demonstrate how these prevent a true understanding of the enormously diverse peoples and cultures of Africa.Updated throughout, the fourth edition covers the entire continent (North and sub-Saharan Africa) and provides new analysis of topics such as social media and the Internet, the Ebola crisis, celebrity aid, and the Arab Spring. Mistaking Africa is an important book for African studies courses and for anyone interested in unravelling American misperceptions about the continent.

Your round-trip ticket to the wildest, wackiest, most outrageous people, places, and things the Hawkeye State has to offer!