Publishers Weekly Best Summer Reads Overturn everything you knew about history’s greatest minds in this raucous and hilarious book, where it turns out there's a finer line between "genius" and "idiot" than we've previously known. “As Albert Einstein almost certainly never said, everyone is a genius – but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” So begins Katie Spalding’s spunky takedown of the Western canon, and how genius may not be as irrefutably great as we commonly understand. While most of us may never become Einstein, it may surprise you to learn that there’s probably a bunch of stuff you can do that Einstein couldn’t. And, as Spalding shows, the famous prodigies she explores here were quite odd by any definition. For example: Thomas Edison, inventor of the lightbulb, believed that he could communicate with the undead and built the world’s very first hotline to heaven: the Spirit Phone. Marie and Pierre Curie, famous for discovering radioactivity, slept next to a lump of radioactive material for years and strapped it to their arms to watch it burn them in real-time. Lord Byron, acclaimed British poet, literally took a bear with him to university. Isaac Newton discovered the laws of gravity and motion, but he also looked up at the sun without eye protection. The result? Three days of blindness. Tesla, whose scientific work led to the invention of the AC unit, fell in love with a pigeon. Edison's Ghosts is filled with examples of the so-called best of humanity doing, to put it bluntly, some really dumb shit. You’ll discover stories that deserve to be told but never are: the hilarious, regrettable, and downright bafflingly lesser-known achievements that never made it into our history books, until now.

"Thomas Edison closely following the alternative physics work of Albert Einstein and Max Planck, convincing him that there was an entire reality unseen by the human eye. This led to the last and least-known of all Edison's inventions, the spirit phone. His former associate, now bitter rival, Nikola Tesla, was also developing at the same time a similar mysterious device. Edison vs. Tesla examines their quest to talk to the dead. It reveals: Edison's little-known near-death experience formed his theory that animate life forms don't die, but rather change the nature of their composition. It is this foundational belief that drove him to proceed with the spirit phone. Tesla monitored Edison's paranormal work, with both men racing to create a device that picked up the frequencies of discarnate spirits, what today is called EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon). Both men were way ahead of their time, delving into artificial intelligence and robotics. Although mystery and lore surround the details of the last decade of Edison's life, many skeptics have denied the existence of the mysterious spirit phone. The authors have researched both Edison's and Tesla's journals, as well as contemporary articles and interviews with the inventors to confirm that tests were actually done with this device. They also have the full cooperation of the Charles Edison fund, affording them access to rare photos and graphics to support their text. Edison vs. Tesla sheds light on this weird invention and demonstrates the rivalry that drove both men to new discoveries."--Publisher's description.

Sit back and enjoy this children's book parody about a squirrel named Dee and his friends love for his big nuts. Each page will have you laughing and going nuts! This may look like a typical children's book but once the book opens, you will enjoy references that only adults will understand. Dee's Big Nuts makes a great gift for birthdays, anniversaries, bridal shower, wedding gifts, housewarming gifts or just a great gift to make a friend or loved one giggle in laughter.

With fiercely detailed information and visuals provided by the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Special Forces Guide to Unconventional Warfare is meant for experienced soldiers and novices alike. With this guide, you will be able to apply its material to understand and create initiators, igniters, and incendiary materials. The vast table of contents includes coverage on napalm, gelled gasoline, fire fudge, silver nitrate, concentrated sulfuric acid, fuse cords, delay mechanisms, and spontaneous combustion. Filled with special forces secrets, U.S. Guide to Unconventional Warfare is an invaluable tool for any provocateur-in-training and an invitation to look at how our special forces are fighting our enemies overseas. Skyhorse Publishing is proud to publish a range of books for readers interested in military tactics and skills. We publish content provided by or of interest to the U.S. Army, Army Rangers, the U.S. Navy, Navy SEALs, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense. Our books cover topics such as survival, emergency medicine, weapons, guns, weapons systems, hand-to-hand combat, and more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Relive the life and times of one of the world's greatest inventors, Thomas Edison.

Edison: Illuminating Genius and the Birth of Innovation" takes you on an electrifying journey into the extraordinary life of one of history's greatest inventors, Thomas Edison. In this captivating biography, delve into the fascinating world of Edison's mind, where sparks of brilliance ignited inventions that forever transformed the course of history. Uncover the untold stories of Edison's early sparks in Milan, Ohio, as he navigates the challenges of childhood, setting the stage for a genius in the making. Explore his formative years, where the seeds of innovation took root, and witness the audacity of his first endeavors in invention, laying the groundwork for a prolific career. Step into the legendary Menlo Park laboratory in Chapter 2, where Edison's wizardry reached its zenith. From the establishment of the laboratory to the invention of the phonograph and the iconic electric light bulb, experience the exhilarating breakthroughs that defined the Menlo Park era. Discover the man behind the inventions and the team that fueled his genius. Chapter 3 illuminates Edison's impact on industry and electric power. Follow the journey of the Edison Illuminating Company and witness the transformative effects of electric power on manufacturing, transportation, and global industry. Edison's vision extended beyond city limits, electrifying rural areas and reshaping the world. The narrative unfolds in Chapter 4, taking you into the heart of the wizard's workshop. Explore the inventive process at Menlo Park, Edison's team of collaborators, and the challenges and triumphs that shaped the workshop's legacy. Peer into the creative crucible where ideas came to life, and witness the collaborative spirit that defined Edison's genius. Chapter 5 invites you to go "Beyond the Bulb," uncovering Edison's diverse inventions. From telegraph improvements to storage batteries and the creation of the mimeograph, witness the expansive genius that extended far beyond the iconic light bulb. Immerse yourself in the cinematic contributions of Edison, the pioneer of motion pictures who forever changed the entertainment industry. As controversies unfold in Chapter 6, experience the AC/DC battle with Nikola Tesla, patent wars, and ethical considerations that marked Edison's legacy. Discover the complexities of the man behind the inventions and the societal shifts that shaped his public perception. The journey culminates in Chapter 7, where "Edison's Impact on Modern Innovation" is unveiled. Explore how Edison's influence reverberates through contemporary technology, from energy and communication to artificial intelligence. Reflect on the enduring relevance of Edison's ideals and witness innovations directly inspired by his legacy. "Edison: Illuminating Genius and the Birth of Innovation" is more than a biography; it's a riveting exploration of the relentless pursuit of knowledge, the triumphs, and the controversies that defined a revolutionary mind. Join us as we unravel the lasting brilliance of Edison, a beacon of inspiration for innovators and dreamers alike. Illuminate your understanding of history, invention, and the indomitable spirit of human genius with this extraordinary biography that will captivate, inspire, and linger in your thoughts long after the final page. Purchase your ticket to this captivating journey today and witness the birth of innovation like never before.