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A syndicated newspaper column out of Chicago, the Straight Dope is written by "Cecil Adams" and has been "Fighting ignorance since 1973". The original Cecil seems to be gone -- the tone of the writing took a dramatic turn after the first few years -- but the point is still the same: cut through the hype, the mystery and the myth to get "the straight dope" about various subjects: Why do wintergreen Life Savers spark when crunched? What are the real lyrics to "Louie Louie"? How do lava lamps work? What is the origin of the peace symbol? Read carefully and the clouds of ignorance will start to lift. From This is True for 10 December 2006 Suggestions for further reading:
 By: Cecil Adams List Price: $12.00 Amazon Price: $9.60 Editorial Review: Cecil Adams has been giving the straight dope to thousands of bizarre and inane questions, in his books and weekly newspaper column, for 25 years now. His most recent opus, The Straight Dope Tells All, is as addictively fascinating, sarcastic, and informative as his previous efforts. If you're a Straight Dope enthusiast from way back, you know how joyous an occasion a new Straight Dope is. And if you're a Straight Dope virgin, it's time to be initiated into Adams's scholarly yet snide approach to the trivia questions that torment his readership into seeking his help. Where else are questions like "Does 'kimosabe' actually mean 'chicken guano?'" and "Must the pet rabbit chew one's t-shirt to keep from dying of overgrown teeth?" actually see the light of newsprint and receive an answer. Just perusing the index is good entertainment. A quick glance at "S" shows "Sabbath, why Christians celebrate on Sunday rather than Saturday," sex: anal, and "gay bowel syndrome," "shivering, following urination," "singing nun, fate of," "smiley face, inventor of," "smoking, whether more WWII veterans were killed by that than combat," and "sound of tree, if falls in woods." How one could resist a line-up like that, is a question even Cecil would be unable to resolve satisfactorily. --Stephanie GoldIF KNOWLEDGE WAS POWER, CECIL ADAMS WOULD RULE THE WORLD! It's true! For the past twenty-five years, in his books and weekly newspaper column, world-history genius Cecil Adams has been patiently explaining to the Teeming Millions how the world works. He answered questions such as how do porcupines mate, what exactly does Barney Rubble do for a living, and where is Einstein's brain? His answers changed your life. Or at least settled a bet with a loved one. But surely, you are thinking, all the salient facts of the universe have been ascertained by now. Ha! Get a load of the mysteries The Master explores in this landmark volume: ¸ If Teflon is such a nonsticky substance, how do they get it to stick to the pan? ¸ Is the Great Cabal implanting microchips in our brains? ¸ Do fluorescent lights cause cataracts? ¸ What do Scotsmen wear under those kilts? ¸ Can some people extinguish street lamps by force of their bodily emanations? ¸ Is the U.S. Government really hiding alien spaceships?  By: Cecil Adams List Price: $19.00 Amazon Price: $19.00 Editorial Review: Why do parachute jumpers yell "Geronimo"? Is it aerodynamically impossible for bumblebees to fly? Will watching too much TV ruin your eyes? Fresh from the popular newspaper column by CECIL ADAMS! WHAT IS CECIL ADAMS'S IQ? "Do you want it in scientific notation? Little Ed, get out the slide rule." --Cecil Adams For more than a quarter of a century Cecil Adams has been courageously attempting to lift the veil of ignorance surrounding the modern world. Now, in his fifth book, he takes yet another stab, dissecting such classic conundrums as --If you swim less than an hour after eating, will you get cramps and die? --What's the difference between a Looney Tune and a Merrie Melody? --Can you see a Munchkin committing suicide in The Wizard of Oz? --Was The Texas Chainsaw Massacre based on actual events? --Did medieval lords really have "the right of the first night"? And much more! THE CRITICS: STILL RAVING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! "Trenchant, witty answers to the great imponderables." --Denver Post  By: Cecil Adams List Price: $23.00 Amazon Price: $23.00 Editorial Review: "When inquiring minds want to know, there is someone to turn to for an answer." WALL STREET JOURNAL Cecil Adams's first two books covered everything from the real lyrics to "Louie, Louie," to whatever became of Einstein's brain. You probably thought you couldn't stand any more genius in one lifetime. Well, fasten your intellectual seat belts! Inside you'll find 100% guaranteed top quality brilliance on every page, as he winsomely and wisely answers questions like these: Can people really hear radio broadcasts through their teeth? What does Queen Elizabeth carry in that purse, anyway? So how DO porcupines mate? And many more. When you hear the answers, you'll be glad someone asked the questions. |
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