Caribbean Curiosities collects the fascinating stories of the animals and plants of the island of St. Martin.

From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe: everything you never knew you never knew about every country on Earth.A scientist by training and an explorer by passion, Dr. John Oldale has logged half a million miles visiting more than ninety nations. Now, he celebrates our weird and wonderful world in a cornucopia of fascinating facts brought vividly to life through the unexpected stories behind them. Touching on history, travel, politics, natural history and more, he paints a unique portrait of each country from the mightiest to the most miniscule. You won't find the following in your average travel guide: · Why is kissing on trains banned in France? · In what country are litigants expected to present their case at court in the form of a poem? · Which war did women win in 1929 just by sitting down? · If Panama hats aren’t from Panama, where are they from? · Who eat fresh camel dung as a cure for dysentery (and why does it work)? · Why were US disk jockeys once told they could play birthday requests on any day except the one requested? · Which modern dictator banned old age, libraries and gold teeth, and was later replaced by his dentist? · And 2,000 more funny, trivial, poignant, and telling facts A must for active and armchair globe-trotters alike, A World of Curiosities will engross anyone who is at all curious about the world beyond their door. Explore and enjoy.

Utilizing cross-cultural strands, this comparative study analyzes Caribbean literary representations of magic and invisible cities reworking the notion of the city as both instituted social space and imaginary community.

Whether you’re a born-and-raised New Jerseyan, a recent transplant, or just passing through, New Jersey Curiosities will have you laughing out loud as Peter Genovese takes you on a rollicking tour of the strangest sides of theGarden State. Learn the proper way to cook a garbage can turkey, get the skinny on the real birthplace of baseball, and hear the story of Waving Willie, New Jersey’s friendliestroadside character. Meet the undisputed Weenie Queen of Garfield; a Hickory Dickory Dock clock–covering car artist; and a gas station-turned-restaurant-owning undertaker. Feel the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat at the New Jersey Cockroach Derby, and relive the OK Corral shoot-out and shoot cap guns at bad guys in Wild West City.