The Land of Oz: Decades before Dorothy. History has hurried along without anyone noticing. Take a peek behind the Emerald Curtain to see just what happened in Oz before Dorothy arrived. Magic and mayhem, dreams and defiance, secrets and sacrifice abound, defining this new age in the Land of Oz. DISCOVER THE HIDDEN SECRETS OF AN ENCHANTED WORLD Glinda's story begins in the North and takes her across the Land of Oz. She fights wicked witches, woos a wizard, and learns the unimaginable consequences of growing up in a magical land powered by human dreams. This informative guide provides maps, history, and--best of all--stories to explore the adventures of Glinda the Good from her formative years as a rebellious youth, to the wise woman who became the most powerful sorceress in the Land of Oz. Each story selection includes multiple chapters from the published Hidden History of Oz books, giving you unprecedented access to these fantastic adventures. Never-before-seen maps provide a glimpse of the larger world, and chronology takes you back to the beginning, when the faeries enchanted the land and crowned the first Queen of Oz. Explore the magic and mystery of this epic fantasy that builds the foundation for L. Frank Baum's classic story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

An Auburn University alumna explores the long-buried, mysterious and fascinating stories, lore and traditions behind the history of the treasured Alabama town and university. Auburn is not just the home to a world-class university; it is also the home of a storied community with deep roots in Alabama history. Join author and Auburn University alumna Kelly Kazek as she tracks the lesser-known history of both the city and the school. In this diverse collection of lost, forgotten or just plain strange history, Kazek uses her decades of experience as a journalist to dig deep and cast a wide net, revealing stories sure to surprise even the most seasoned Auburn experts. From the mysterious origins of some of AU's most hallowed traditions to tales that stretch back to the very founding of the city, Hidden History of Auburn is an unprecedented collection that unearths the long-buried stories of this Alabama treasure.

The Land of Oz: Decades before Dorothy, generations without war have grown soft and weary. From the shadows, the witches scheme to divide the land and remake Oz in their own image. Magic and mayhem, dreams and defiance, secrets and sacrifice abound,defining this new age in the Land of Oz. THE WORLD WILL KNOW HER NAME, NO MATTER WHAT THE COST. Fifteen-year old Glinda is determined to live free from the shadow of her sorceress mother. Uncaring of the price it may demand, Glinda'srebellion against her mother's wishes unleashes the hidden fury of the wicked witches' secret scheme, and plunges the entire land into chaos. Amidst the turmoil, magical armies march across Oz, leaving devastation in their wake. Hope from the skies comes in the form of awizard almost as young as Glinda. He brings stories of freedom, and dreams that change the world around him. Without an army of her own, Glinda inspires common people to rise up against the monstrous armies. However, her inexperience puts everyone at risk. Will three spells, a few clever friends, and a wizard with unwavering faith in freedom be enough to overthrow the tyranny of the wicked witches? Let the battle for Oz begin.

"How do words get coined? That question is explored in Ralph Keyes's latest book, The Hidden History of Coined Words. Based on meticulous research, Keyes has determined that successful neologisms are as likely to be created by chance as by intention. A remarkable number of new words were coined whimsically, he's discovered, to taunt, even to prank. Knickers resulted from a hoax, big bang from an insult. Wisecracking produced software, crowdsource, and blog. More than a few neologisms weren't even coined intentionally: they resulted from happy accidents such as typos, mistranslations, and misheard words like bigly and buttonhole, or from an unintended coinage such as Isaac Asimov's robotics. Many of the word coiners Keyes writes about come from unlikely quarters. Neologizers (a Thomas Jefferson coinage) include not just learned scholars and literary lions but cartoonists, columnists, children's authors, and children as well. Wimp, Keyes tells us, originated with an early 20th century book series on The Wymps, goop from a series about The Goops, and nerd from a book by Dr. Seuss. Competing claims to have coined terms like gonzo, mojo, and booty call are assessed, as is epic battles fought between new word partisans, and those who think we have enough words already. A concluding chapter offers pointers on how to coin a word of one's own. Written in a reader-friendly manner, The Hidden History of Coined Words will appeal not just to word lovers but history buffs, trivia contesters, and anyone at all who is interested in a well-informed good read"--

Discover the little known facts about some of the world’s greatest historical icons with Full Picture. We all know what was written in the history books. There are some stories we’ve heard a hundred times—but often our understanding of these events and people is narrow. Have you ever wondered about the lesser known details that influenced major events and figures behind-the-scenes? This hilarious compendium of fascinating facts and dizzying what-ifs will delight and shock history buffs and trivia lovers alike. From Abraham Lincoln’s wrestling champ background to the day Napoleon was attacked by a horde of hungry rabbits, this book will give you a new perspective. Including: - Walt Disney gave his housekeeper Disney stock every year on her birthday and Christmas. By the time she retired, she was a multi-millionaire. - Charlie Chaplin entered a lookalike contest as a joke…and got 20th place. - Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company, convinced Thomas Edison’s son to collect Edison’s last breath in a test tube. It is on display at The Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. - Before Galileo Galilei was buried, three of his fingers and a tooth were removed from his body by his admirers. The body parts are on display at the Museo Galileo in Florence, Italy. From ancient civilization to modern times, history is full of mysterious and downright bizarre circumstances. With these crazy and compelling facts, Full Picture will change your view of history.

Memorable children's narratives immerse readers in imaginary worlds that bring them into the story. Some of these places have been constructed in the real world--like Pinocchio's Tuscany or Anne of Green Gables' Prince Edward Island--where visitors relive their favorite childhood tales. Theme parks like Walt Disney World and Harry Potter World use technology to engineer enchanting environments that reconnect visitors with beloved fictional settings and characters in new ways. This collection of new essays explores the imagined places we loved as kids, with a focus on the meaning of setting and its power to shape the way we view the world.

"A superb retelling of the story of Valley Forge and its aftermath, demonstrating that reality is far more compelling than myth." - Gordon S. Wood The defining moments of the American Revolution did not occur on the battlefield or at the diplomatic table, writes New York Times bestselling author Thomas Fleming, but at Valley Forge. Fleming transports us to December 1777. While the British army lives in luxury in conquered Philadelphia, Washington's troops huddle in the barracks of Valley Forge, fending off starvation and disease even as threats of mutiny swirl through the regiments. Though his army stands on the edge of collapse, George Washington must wage a secondary war, this one against the slander of his reputation as a general and patriot. Washington strategizes not only against the British army but against General Horatio Gates, the victor in the Battle of Saratoga, who has attracted a coterie of ambitious generals devising ways to humiliate and embarrass Washington into resignation. Using diaries and letters, Fleming creates an unforgettable portrait of an embattled Washington. Far from the long-suffering stoic of historical myth, Washington responds to attacks from Gates and his allies with the skill of a master politician. He parries the thrusts of his covert enemies, and, as necessary, strikes back with ferocity and guile. While many histories portray Washington as a man who has transcended politics, Fleming's Washington is exceedingly complex, a man whose political maneuvering allowed him to retain his command even as he simultaneously struggled to prevent the Continental Army from dissolving into mutiny at Valley Forge. Written with his customary flair and eye for human detail and drama, Thomas Fleming's gripping narrative develops with the authority of a major historian and the skills of a master storyteller. Washington's Secret War is not only a revisionist view of the American ordeal at Valley Forge - it calls for a new assessment of the man too often simplified into an American legend. This is narrative history at its best and most vital.