2008 - visible ink press

Inspiring stories of overcoming adversity and emerging triumphant.

Freedom Facts and Firsts: 400 Years of the African American Civil Rights ExperienceJessie Carney Smith and Linda T. Wynn

From 1641 and the early abolitionists to inspirational religious-leaders to organizations and events, Freedom Facts and Firsts brings over 400 pioneering people and events to life. Read the inspirational words of these historic people in the Voices chapter. See the strength of the self-effacing Ella Baker, leader, community organizer, founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, when she says, “My theory is, strong people don’t need strong leaders.” Or Eugene Carson Blake, executive head of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States, speaking with humility, “Never say God is on our side, rather pray that we may be found on God’s side.”

Martin Luther King, Jr., Romare Bearden, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and Harry Belafonte all have a place in Freedom Facts and Firsts, but so too do ordinary educators, teachers, housewives, and journalists who helped change society’s views on human rights.

Jessie Carney Smith, noted author, biographer, and black studies scholar, is the William and Camille Cosby Professor in the Humanities at Fisk University in Nashville, where she also serves as the university librarian. Among Dr. Smith’s numerous awards are the National Women’s Book Association Award, the Candace Award for excellence in education, and Sage magazine’s Ann J. Cooper Award for her published works on African American Women. Her work includes Black Firsts and Black Heroes, both published by Visible Ink Press.

Linda T. Wynn is the Assistant Director for State Programs with the Tennessee Historical Commission and a member of Fisk University’s faculty where she teaches in the Department of History. She wrote the “Civil Rights” chapter for the African American Almanac, 10th edition, and she edited Journey to Our Past: A Guide to African-American Markers in Tennessee.

ISBN: 9781578591923JANUARY 2009450 pages, 100 photos and illustrations 7.25” x 9.25” paperback $24.95 ($27.95 Can.)

New and Notable . . .

854 Willow Run Airport, Suite 400Ypsilanti, MI 48198 USA

Tel: (734) 667-3211Fax: (734) 667-4311

E-Mail: [email protected]

www.visibleink.com

2008

www.visibleink.com 2 Visible Ink Press

What’s really out there?

The Handy Astronomy Answer BookCharles Liu, Ph.D.

Outer space has always held our fascination. Its sheer limitlessness draws us in and fires up our imaginations with infinite questions. For the answer to over 1,000 of them, you need to probe no further than The Handy Astronomy Answer Book. Within these pages, you’ll learn about everything from antimatter to X-ray astronomy. Trace the development of technology, meet the brave people who manned the missions, and follow the path of their discoveries. Learn fascinating facts about the universe around you, including Is the universe infinite? Do wormholes really exist? What would happen to you if you fell into a black hole? Who were the first astronauts? (hint: they weren’t human!)

Charles Liu is a professor of astrophysics at the City University of New York’s College of Staten Island, and an Associate with the Hayden Planetarium and Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. His research focuses on colliding galaxies, quasars, starbursts, and the star formation history of the universe.

Look inside—yourself!

The Handy Anatomy Answer BookNaomi E. Balaban and James Bobick

“What a fun and educational way to explore the wonders of the world of science.” (on the authors’ The Handy Science Answer Book) – National Science Teachers Association

From basic biology to the lymphatic system to human growth and development, this comprehensive reference—organized by systems of the body—makes the sometimes perplexing nature of anatomy understandable through an engaging question-and-answer format. In addition to the science itself, the people and history behind anatomy are discussed. More than 1,000 questions are answered, including Do identical twins have the same fingerprints? What are the primary sensations of taste? What is the integumentary system? and How many bones are in the human body?

Naomi E. Balaban, a reference librarian for more than fifteen years at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, has extensive experience in science and consumer health.

James Bobick recently retired after sixteen years as Head of the Science and Technology Department at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

The mother of all angel books

Angels A to Z, 2nd Edition

Evelyn Dorothy Oliver, Ph.D. and James R. Lewis, Ph.D.

Written by two recognized authorities on non-traditional religious movements, this resource is one of the most comprehensive books on angels and related topics currently available. More than 300 entries are included and drawn from multiple religions, such as Christianity, Islam, and Hindu traditions, as well as from pop culture. A variety of angel topics are discussed, including celebrity angels, classifications of angels, obscure angels still waiting for their big break, guardian angels, fallen angels, Anaheim angels, biblical figures associated with angels, angels in art and architecture, and angels in the media and literature. A comprehensive resource section lists movies, books, magazines, and organizations related to angels.

Evelyn Dorothy Oliver, Ph.D., has an impressive, thirty-year track record as a crisis intervention therapist. In every case of remarkable healing, she credits the assistance of angels. She is the author of Afterlife Journeys and Dream Yourself Awake for Women.

James R. Lewis, Ph.D., has authored The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements and Legitimating New Religions as well as the Visible Ink Press titles The Dream Encyclopedia and The Astrology Book.

ISBN: 9781578591930OCTOBER 2008352 pages in color100 color photos and illustrations 6.8” x 9.7” paperback $21.95 ($24.95 Can.)

ISBN: 9781578591909JUNE 2008 376 pages in color100 color photos and illustrations 6.8” x 9.7” paperback $21.95 ($24.95 Can.)

ISBN: 9781578592128MAY 2008 448 pages, 125 illustrations 7.25” x 9.25” paperback $24.95 ($34.95 Can.)

New for 2008

www.visibleink.com Visible Ink Press 3

A catalog of the interactions between the supernatural and reality

The Encyclopedia of Religious PhenomenaJ. Gordon Melton

From sacred mountains and places of pilgrimage to visions and out-of-body travel, The Encyclopedia of Religious Phenomena explores unusual and unexplained physical events, apparitions, and other phenomena rooted in religious beliefs.

Each entry features a balanced presentation and includes a description of the phenomenon, the religious claims surrounding the occurrence, and a scientific response. Touring the world and history, this comprehensive reference includes entries on angels, comets, Marian apparitions, and religious figures such as Jesus, Mohammad, and Lao Tzu.

J. Gordon Melton is the director of the Institute for the Study of American Religions and a research specialist with the department of religious studies at University College–Santa Barbara. He is the author of The Cult Experience, The Encyclopedia of American Religions, and The Vampire Book. He lives in Santa Barbara, California.

ISBN: 9781578592098SEPTEMBER 2007500 pages, 100 photos7.25 x 9.25 paperback$24.95 ($32.95 Can.)

An authoritative look at America’s highest court

The Handy Supreme Court Answer BookDavid L. Hudson

From the origins of the court to modern practical matters—including the federal judiciary system, the Supreme Court’s session schedule, and the argument, decision, and appeal process—The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book provides detailed answers on all aspects of the Supreme Court.

Exploring the social, cultural, and political atmosphere in which judges are nominated and serve, this guide book answers questions such as When did the tradition of nine justices on the bench begin? When did the practice of hiring law clerks to assist with legal research and writing begin? and How do cases reach the Supreme Court

Details on historic decisions—including Marbury v. Madison, Brown v. Board of Education, Miranda v. Arizona, and Bush v. Gore—accompany a thorough history of all 17 Supreme Court Chief Justices.

David L. Hudson is a first-amendment scholar for the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University. He is a contributing editor to the American Bar Association’s Preview of U.S. Supreme Court Cases and the author of The Rehnquist Court. He lives in Smyrna, Tennessee.

ISBN: 9781578591961OCTOBER 2007500 pages, 125 photos7.25 x 9.25 paperback$21.95 ($27.95 Can.)

New in 2007


Armageddon NowThe End of the World A to Z

Jim Willis and Barbara Willis

So you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction? Authors Jim and Barbara Willis mine the religious and secular divide as they examine the history of apocalyptic beliefs in Armageddon Now. The authors explain the various omens and prophecies as well as the actual events that may trigger the end, such as collisions with asteroids, nuclear war, the oil crisis, global warming, and famine. But as the authors point out, there have always been plenty of signs pointing to the boom in gloom: predicting the order of finish kept Nostradamus in print for centuries, and the ancient Mayans helpfully projected that calendar sales would drop to nothing after 2012. They are all part of the long history on the end of history.ISBN 9781578591688

2005, 464 pages100 photos and illustrations7.25” x 9.25” paperback$24.95 ($32.95 Can.)

Hollywood’s strange idolization of real-life criminals

American MurderCriminals, Crimes and the Media

Mike Mayo

Investigating the way Hollywood scoops up notorious criminals and turns them into legends, this entertaining who’s-who guide provides thumbnail sketches of such killers as Ma Barker, Black Beard, Al Capone, John Wesley Hardin, and Charles Starkweather.

Noting that some figures are glamorized in popular culture (Jesse James), while others are demonized (Charles Manson), this encyclopedic collection explores the legends’ emotional truths as depicted in movies, stories, and songs. Facts of the real cases behind these notorious criminals are also presented, including the landmark rulings that pioneered new approaches to criminal justice.

Mike Mayo is a former host of the nationally syndicated Movie Show on Radio and frequently comments on the movies for Wisconsin Public Radio. He is the author of VideoHounds Horror Show and VideoHounds DVD Guide. He lives in Chatham, New Jersey.ISBN: 9781578591916

FEBRUARY 2008500 pages, 125 photos7.25 x 9.25 paperback$24.95 ($32.95 Can.)

Phenomena / Spiritual

The Astrology Book:The Encyclopedia of Heavenly Influences, 2nd Edition

James R. Lewis

“It is hard to imagine a more comprehensive reference encyclopedia to this topic than the volume at hand.” – American Reference Books.

Lewis explores the scientific, historic, and popular basis behind the ancient art of astrology. Students, soothsayers, and star watchers everywhere will learn there’s more to astrology than just the twelve signs of the Zodiac and never knowing the winning lottery numbers. This comprehensive guide includes a table of astrological glyphs and abbreviations, a section on casting a chart, and a chapter that explains and interprets every planet in every house and sign.

ISBN 97815785914422003, 928 pages80 photos and illustrations7.25” x 9.25” paperback$24.95 ($37.50 Can.)2nd printing

New for 2008


Conspiracies and Secret SocietiesThe Complete Dossier

Brad Steiger and Sherry Hansen Steiger

“This is a captivating look at a topic that fascinates many. Recommended . . .” – Booklist.

“I predict this book will come to be the standard by which all efforts at codifying the world’s hidden - and inextricably linked - power mechanisms will be judged.” – Jeff Rense , Editor-in-Chief of Rense.com

The truth is out there, somewhere, maybe. In this age of minimum individual privacy and maximum government secrecy, the truth sometimes seems a battered relic, more myth than reality, and more valuable for its rarity. Shedding light onto the darkest and most enduring of stories, Conspiracies and Secret Societies: The Complete Dossier is a compelling encyclopedic overview of 300 individuals, organizations, and events where official claims and standard explanations of actions and events remain clouded in mystery.

ISBN 97815785917492006, 560 pages100 photos and illustrations7.25” x 9.25” paperback$24.95 ($32.95 Can.)3rd Printing


The Dream EncyclopediaJames R. Lewis

“A very convenient one-volume reference on everything you might want to read regarding dreams and dream interpretation...an excellent source of basic information.” – About.com.

Ever have one of those dreams that unwinds like an arty Italian movie with everyone in funny costumes, frantic with robust women singing and swinging on trapezes and well-dressed mimes quietly robbing banks and little cars driven aimlessly by angry midgets when suddenly the Pope shows up with your mom? And you wondered what it all meant? The Dream Encyclopedia examines 250 dream-related topics from art to night terrors, including dream control, healing and dreams, nightmares, ESP and dreams, falling dreams, Shakespeare and dreams, sex and dreams, Thomas Aquinas and dreams, creative visualization, problem solving in dreams, the collective unconscious, Native American dream interpretations, day residues in dream content, memory and sleep, and non-dreamers. More than 700 dream symbols are defined in a separate 100-page section. One of Visible Ink’s perennial bestsellers, The Dream Encyclopedia is an excellent resource for any reader looking to unlock his or her inner Fellini.

ISBN 97807876015601995, 454 pages60 photos and line drawings7.25” x 9.25” paperback$19.95 ($27.95 Can.)13th printing

The Fortune-Telling BookThe Encyclopedia of Divination and Soothsaying

Raymond Buckland

“...an excellent resource for important methods, personalities, and locales in the world of divination. A high-quality book, which is well-written and easy to use. Highly recommended.” – American Reference Books.

Best-selling Wiccan seer and Gypsy mystic Raymond Buckland now focuses his attention on the intuitive art of prognostication. A master of his art, Buckland received the 1999 Visionary Award for his book Gypsy Witchcraft and Magic, and his Buckland Romani Tarot received the same award in 2002. He has designed a number of fortune-telling decks and has been reading cards and doing other types of fortune telling for forty years. An A-Z exploration of all that peers into tomorrow, The Fortune-Telling Book divines the meaning of 400 of the most meaningful topics related to this oft-misunderstood, oft-consulted-upon science. Written in clear, concise language, The Encyclopedia of Divination and Soothsaying discusses everything from aeromancy (seeing by observing atmospheric phenomena) to zoomancy (divination by the appearance or behavior of animals) and the 398 others in between.

ISBN 97815785914732004, 568 pages100 photos and illustrations7.25” x 9.25” paperback$24.95 ($37.50 Can.)


Real Ghosts, Restless Spirits, and Haunted PlacesBrad Steiger

“In addition to rounding up the usual suspects, including the Bell Witch, Borley Rectory, the monster of Glarris Castle, and Gef, the mongoose/poltergeist on the Isle of Man, Steiger has included much that is new for the dedicated ghost aficionado. The photographs alone are particularly fascinating.... Steiger’s new book is a mammoth undertaking that should be taken a few chapters at a time and savored the way one would enjoy a good meal in one of the author’s haunted restaurants. Everyone interested in our final destination, or just in need of a very creepy reading experience, should have a copy.” – FATE magazine.

Readers of all ages will find themselves plunked into the middle of the eerie action with captivating stories that would be at home at any midnight campfire. The only difference is these stories aren’t urban legends employing hooks, needles, or long, metal fingernails for their scare. These stories exist outside of the mind and live right next door to us all.ISBN 9781578591466

2003, 640 pages125 photos and illustrations7.25” x 9.25” paperback$24.95 ($37.50 Can.)9th printing


The Religion Book Places, Prophets, Saints, and Seers

Jim Willis

“This concise and accessible encyclopedia contains nearly 300 entries on the world’s major religions, as well as important articles on important holy places...prophets and historical figures...and spiritual practices and religions that predate organized religion...” – Library Journal.

From Aaron to Zoroastrianism (once the dominant religion in Persia), The Religion Book provides an encyclopedic look at the practices of yesterday and today. Christians, Buddhists, Wiccans and the rest may have questions about others’ belief or even their own, and The Religion Book expertly explains the similarities, differences, and original ideologies of believers and skeptics around the world. Are Nirvana and Heaven the same? What’s the difference between Christian Scientists and Jehovah’s Witnesses? If killing’s a sin, why are there jihads? The Religion Book is the go-to resource for all ages.

ISBN 97815785915102004, 512 pages100 photos and illustrations7.25” x 9.25” paperback$24.95 ($37.50 Can.)3rd printing

The Spirit BookThe Encyclopedia of Clairvoyance, Channeling, and Spirit Communication

Raymond Buckland

“Students of the goofily strange will go for this ‘encyclopedia of clairvoyance, channeling and spirit communication.’” – PEOPLE Magazine.

The Spirit Book explores Qabbalah, Sibyls, Fairies, Poltergeists; phenomena such as intuition and karma; objects useful in the attempt to cross the divide, including tarot cards, flower reading, and runes; and related practices such as Shamanism, transfiguration, meditation, and mesmerism. The Encyclopedia covers the history of Spiritualism as well as offshoots such as Kardecism, channeling, fraud, psychic research, and possession. It also reports on investigations of contemporary manifestations, including electronic voice phenomena and spirit appearances on TV screens (that static might be Aunt Margaret trying to get through).ISBN 9781578591725

2005, 528 pages100 photos and illustrations7.25” x 9.25” paperback$24.95 ($32.95 Can.)

Unexplained!Strange Sightings, Incredible Occurrences, and Puzzling Physical Phenomena, 2nd Edition

Jerome Clark

“ Should warm the heart of any serious observer of the weird world in which we live. It will disturb doubters, scandalize skeptics, and readjust the realities of those whose tunnel vision has blinded them.” —FATE magazine.

Now insatiable fans of the supernatural, occult, and just plain perplexing can rejoice as trusted investigator Jerome Clark journeys to the outer limits of science and nature in an updated and expanded edition of this popular work.

ISBN 97815785907041999, 672 pages150 photos and illustrations7.25” x 9.25” paperback$21.95 ($29.95 Can.)6th printing



The Vampire Book:The Encyclopedia of the Undead, 2nd Edition

J. Gordon Melton

“ An excellent reference. This remarkable amalgam of the popular and the scholarly is highly recommended.” —Choice

“ The most comprehensive collection of vampire lore, with entries on everything from African Vampires to Yama, the God of Death.” —Chicago Tribune.

Perhaps the vampire myth continues to fascinate because it serves as a powerful allegory for the darker parts of the human condition, touching on death, immortality, forbidden sexuality and surrender, intimacy, alienation, rebellion, violence, and a fascination with the mysterious. Renowned religion expert and fearless vampire authority J. Gordon Melton takes the reader on a vast, alphabetic tour of the psychosexual, macabre world of the blood-sucking undead. From Vlad the Impaler to Barnabas Collins to Dracula and Lestat, The Vampire Book supplies nearly 500 exhaustive essays illustrated with more than 250 photos.

ISBN 97815785907111999, 960 pages250 photos and drawings7.25” x 9.25” paperback$24.95 ($34.95 Can.)6th printing

The Werewolf BookThe Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings

Brad Steiger

“ Brad Steiger’s magnum opus, a labor of deep scholarship elegantly written. As a reference source, it is invaluable for anyone interested in pursuing the werewolf.” —Ancient American magazine.

“ From A to Z, Brad Steiger presents a true encyclopedia of werewolfism, a reference masterpiece, overflowing with fascinating information to make readers think and shudder.”—FATE magazine.

The Werewolf Book is the encyclopedic guide to all things lycanthropic and a fascinating compendium of comparative mythology and folklore. Noted paranormal author Brad Steiger takes you back to the 15th century to uncover the origins of the werewolf legend. From there he leads you on an eye-opening, blood-pounding tour through the ages, landing on the doorstep of creatures like hirsute mass-murderer Charles Manson and canine-directed Son of Sam. More than 125 photos and folk-art drawings provide hair-raising evidence of obsessional behavior toward werewolves through the centuries.


The Witch BookThe Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Wicca, and Neo-paganism

Raymond Buckland

“An excellent reference source for those researching the historical and contemporary world of witchcraft.” —American Reference Books Annual 2004.

Practicing witches, many of them middle-class women with families, number from 50,000 to 250,000 in the U.S. alone, according to the New York Times. Salem, Massachusetts, draws more than 500,000 tourists and $42 million worth of serious fun every year at Halloween. The Witch Book is an exhaustive A-to-Z exploration of people, places, events, literature, and other matters related to this ever-timely and popular topic. Best-selling occult author Raymond Buckland defines both the darker Christian concept and the true concept of Wicca, concentrating on the Western European and later New World versions of Witchcraft and magic. From Abracadabra to Aleister Crowley to Gardnerian Witchcraft to Rosemary’s Baby to Sorcery and Zoroastra, The Witch Book is unmatched in its coverage of witchcraft’s historical, practical, and cultural aspects.



The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents)Judy Galens and Nancy Pear

“...the biggest problem for parents with inquisitive children is not knowing the answers. For those times, consider The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents)....” – Boston Globe.

Kids ask the darnedest things. If you’ve ever tried to fend for yourself in this alien world, you know that a book like this is long overdue. The Handy Answer Book for Kids addresses nearly 800 queries that only a kid can think up. Born in a moment of quiet desperation, it easily handles the occasional solitary stumper lobbed like a live grenade, like How many stars are there? It’s more than a bunch. What did people use before toothbrushes were invented? With Handy Kids, love means never having to say I don’t know. Chapters include Earth, Sky, and Beyond; Me, Myself, and I; My Family and Friends; Being Green (about the plant world); How Things Work; Home Life and School Days; World Tour; Animal Neighbors; and others.

ISBN 97815785911072002400 pages, 100 photos7.25” x 9.25” paperback$19.95 ($27.95 Can.)8th printing

The Handy Biology Answer BookJames Bobick, Naomi Balaban, Sandra Bobick, and Laurel Roberts

Life itself and today’s hottest science are examined in The Handy Biology Answer Book. From the newsworthy (What are stem cells? What is genetically modified food and why is it so controversial?) to the practical (Does antibiotic soap really help reduce infection? How does caffeine affect cells? How many kinds of mushrooms are edible?) and the curious (What is the most dangerous poison produced by a plant?), Handy Biology answers 1,600 questions about human, animal, and plant biology. You’ll find answers to such intriguing questions as: What is cell cloning? What is DNA and RNA? When and how did cells first evolve? Can two blue-eyed people have a brown-eyed child? How serious a disease is influenza? Do overweight children have a greater risk of being overweight adults? What is an atom? Why are some fats “good”? and others “bad”? Why do humans need cholesterol? How do birds know to fly south in winter? Can the environment determine the sex of an animal? When was the first microscope developed?

ISBN 97815785915032004, 608 pages150 illustrations, plus tablesand charts7.25” x 9.25” paperback$21.95 ($32.95 Can.)3rd printing

The Handy Geography Answer BookMathew Todd Rosenberg

Commandeer the family armchair and prepare for an incredibly cheap yet oddly fulfilling world tour with The Handy Geography Answer Book. Handy Geography answers 1,000 common and intriguing questions about the natural features of the world and the ever-changing mark humans make on our planet. It provides answers to such questions as, Who owns the oceans? Which state has the most lakes? Who was the explorer honored as the Grand Imperial Eunuch (funny how these things never translate directly) by the Emperor of China? And how did a lake kill more than 2,000 people? Was revenge the motive? With up-to-date maps and information on nations and states, Handy Geography is the source to turn to when having the “Name That African Country” contest at the water cooler. And kids saddled with geography homework or who just want to know more about the world have a great source to turn to, because it’s written by a real geography teacher, only he’s not boring. Really. Skillfully combining entertainment and information, Handy Geography covers common trivia questions---highest, tallest, deepest, hottest, shortest, longest, oldest, newest, and, of course, most improved. It also explores the impact of terrain on the location of countries and cities and geography’s influence on language, religion, architecture, migration, and population. Feel the excitement.

ISBN 97815785906291999, 504 pages150 photos, illustrations and maps7.25” x 9.25” paperback$21.95 ($29.95 Can.)17th printing

Handy Answer Book Series®

Your Smart Reference


The Handy Geology Answer BookPatricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E. Svarney

“...offers clear, detailed explanations of the many fascinating and diverse aspects of geology. The book is written in understandable language, but the answers are not over-simplified...” – American Reference Books.

The award-winning science writers answer such puzzlers as: What is the theory of continental drift? What are polarity reversals? They deliver captivating reading and easy understanding of the complexities that shaped our planet, as they answer nearly 1,000 of the most often asked questions. Tracing the formation of the universe and the planet, investigating the layers of the Earth, and explaining the formation of mountains and bodies of water are just some of the chapters. Questions and answers are also devoted to volcanoes, fault lines, caves, fossil fuels, world morphological features, and even the geology of other planets. Entertaining and informative, Handy Geology combines vivid, clear writing with a great format.

ISBN 97815785915652004, 512 pages125 photos and illustrations7.25” x 9.25” paperback$21.95 ($32.95 Can.)3rd printing

The Handy History Answer Book, 2nd Edition

Rebecca Ferguson

All things must pass. In an understatement of historic proportions, quite a few things have passed since the end of the last millennium. Some of the history-making events include the election of George W. Bush, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; a devastating earthquake in Iran and the deadly tsunami in Asia; the downfall of Enron and the comeback of Apple, not to mention the dot.com bubble burst and whatever happened to the budget surplus? Whew! A new era has taken shape, and The Handy History Answer Book records it. Handy History addresses people, times, and events in a wide-ranging and comprehensive manner, complemented by nearly 200 illustrations and, for those who like their history instant, a chronology of major events. The Handy History Answer Book organizes information in thirteen specific subject sections ranging from politics to war to science to religion. It tackles exploration and settlement, technological advances, legal fireworks, financial and business events, social movements, natural and man-made disasters, medicine and disease, and art and culture. The Handy History Answer Book is a fingertip, time-traveling guide through the pages of history.

ISBN 97815785917012005, 672 pages125 illustrations7.25” x 9.25” paperback$21.95 ($27.95 Can.)2nd printing

The Handy Math Answer BookPatricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E. Svarney

Without math, how would romance survive? Where would we be without pluses and minuses? Without public opinion and box office tallies? Without measuring cups, calorie counters, or computer technology? More than just a class you tried to avoid, math defines modern life. Math is too complicated. Math is too hard. Not anymore. The Handy Math Answer Book eliminates the instant headache and helps the many math-challenged among us better understand and enjoy the magic of numbers. From modern-day challenges such as balancing a checkbook, following the stock market, buying a home, and figuring out credit card finance charges to appreciating historical developments like the use of algebra by Mesopotamian mathematicians, The Handy Math Answer Book addresses more than 1,000 questions relating to mathematics. Handy Math provides a complete overview, beginning with the early history—Pythagoras and “the music of the spheres,” Archimedes and his “Eureka!” moment in the bathtub, and how some of the first calendars were invented. Catch yourself falling for the gravity of Newton and winding your way around modern-day string theory. Refresh yourself on the basics and fundamentals of algebra, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry. Handy Math provides clear and concise explanations to paradoxes, theories, and other branches of mathematics, plus the numbers we see daily in statistics, financial and market reports, real estate evaluations, and measurements of all kinds.

ISBN 97815785917182005, 520 pages220 illustrations, graphs, and charts7.25” x 9.25” paperback$21.95 ($27.95 Can.)3rd printing




The Handy Ocean Answer BookThomas E. Svarney and Patricia Barnes-Svarney

Long before there were fast food restaurants, the oceans helped sustain human life. Covering 70 percent of the surface area of our globe, the oceans are vast and mysterious and primal and pretty much everywhere you go. What is El Niño and how does it affect the oceans and the weather? What is a riptide? Where does the salt in seawater come from? Are there mountains undersea? How many species of fish exist in the world? Can an ocean be a color other than blue? How do whales breathe? Are volcanoes forming in the oceans today? Boy, we have some questions. The Handy Ocean Answer Book tackles these and 1,000 other questions on ocean life, waterspouts, whirlpools, ocean shelves, tides and quakes, ocean bottoms, navigation, famous shipwrecks, and the effects of pollution and global warming. Plus, you’ll find out what clues the ocean has revealed about the origins and evolution of life on our planet and major climate changes. With 180 photos and illustrations, Handy Ocean will please dedicated landlubbers and salty sailors alike.


The Handy Physics Answer BookP. Erik Gundersen

Who would have guessed that physics would become the hottest topic on Broadway? Handy Physics is just the book for anyone trying to get a handle on what is a difficult but extremely trendy science and is sure to help readers become more socially successful. What, really, does E=MC2 mean? More fun than a slide rule, Handy Physics tackles the big issues: Gravity. Magnetism. Matter. Sound. Light. And the smaller topics, like why do cats always land on their feet? Why don’t birds or squirrels on power lines get electrocuted? Only Handy Physics combines elementary theory with heartwarming tales of small animals. For everyone who ever wondered how a light bulb works, The Handy Physics Answer Book examines more than 825 basic questions about physics and physicists, ranging from everyday life applications to the latest explorations in subatomic physics. The Handy Physics Answer Book disposes with the mathematical explanations and deep coma often associated with physics and instead takes a more conceptual approach – written in everyday English by yet another teacher. Handy Physics is your friendly guide to the most significant scientific theories and discoveries of our time. And, we promise, no chalkboards.


The Handy Politics Answer BookGina Misiroglu

In these politically charged times, interest in the political process is peaking. Enormous decisions must be made at a time when the world seems to be teetering on the edge of chaos. The Handy Politics Answer Book dares to ask the tough questions (not like the ones reporters lob at incumbents) and answers every one thoroughly and clearly (without the usual political side-stepping and spin tactics). Fifteen chapters explore politics from our founding fathers to current trends, from our branches of government to how they work together (or don’t), from noteworthy people and officials to major events. Handy Politics is just the book wannabe politicians (and everyone else) can consult to obtain a solid understanding on such things as “Why were Medicare and Medicaid created?” “What are civil liberties?” “What is due process of law?” “What is NAFTA?” “What is the United Nations?” Then there are the questions you always wanted to know, like, “What is considered the dirtiest presidential campaign on record?” And, “If the president has a job description, what is it?” Great questions for parties, but everyone knows you’re not supposed to talk politics at social gatherings. That’s why this book exists.





The Handy Presidents Answer BookRoger Matuz with Gina Misiroglu and Lawrence Baker

“...a storehouse of information about all aspects of the presidents’ lives.”– Oklahoma City Oklahoman.

Pledging to deliver captivating, timely reading and great breadth of information, The Handy Presidents Answer Book addresses more than 800 questions relating to the presidency. These range from why presidents refused to act against states’ rights to extraordinary powers taken by presidents during times of war, as well as actions in times of boom and bust, isolationism and expansion. Foreign policy questions address Washington’s controversial neutrality, the Monroe Doctrine (and later expansions), the Cuban Missile Crisis, the War in Iraq, and much more. Arranged in fourteen topical chapters, the questions begin with background on the Executive branch and the official duties of the president. Handy Presidents also answer intriguing questions on personal characteristics, leadership styles, relationships with the people and the press, and, of course, the first ladies. Then the gloves and top hats come off to address presidential candidates, campaigns, and elections—including lively accounts of deals, slogans, and controversies, from smoke-filled rooms to election night surprises … and recounts.

ISBN 97815785916712004, 576 pages100 photos and illustrations7.25” x 9.25” paperback$21.95 ($32.95 Can.)2nd printing


The Handy Science Answer Book®

Centennial EditionThe Science and Technology Department, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

“What a fun and educational way to explore the wonders of the world of science, the world in which we live.” – National Science Teachers Association.

Handy Science collects 1,400 or so of the most commonly asked and interesting questions and answers them in distinct Visible Ink style—succinct, fun, and educational. Children and adults alike will enjoy uncovering some of life’s greatest mysteries, such as: “How does a fax machine work?” and “Is Chicago the windiest city?” Bachelors can find out how diamonds are weighed. Motorists can learn which color of car is safest. Fishermen will learn how to tell the difference between male and female lobsters. Parents will soon know that children are not the leading cause of stress. Buffalo residents will smile when they realize the record snowfall in the U.S. was clear across the country. We even have who invented the alarm clock in here. (We just don’t have the why.) The Handy Science Answer Book®, Centennial Edition, is a great reference that keeps all levels of scientists, including dad, from answering a question with, “Because.”


The Handy Religion Answer BookJohn Renard

“Anyone – student, news junkie or bet-settler – who needs quick access to information about a major religion would do well to have this...book nearby.” – New York Daily News.

The Handy Religion Answer Book provides solid descriptions of major beliefs and rituals. Written by a scholar with 30 years of study and teaching experience, Handy Religion is an easy-to-use comparative guide for anyone seeking basic religious literacy and intellectual history. The Handy Religion Answer Book looks specifically at the world’s religious traditions that trace their origins to the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), South East Asia (Buddhism, Hinduism), and East Asia (Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto). Is there such a thing as a Muslim saint? What is the significance of the Star of David? How did so many different Christian churches come into being? What is the importance of the month of Ramadan? Do Hindus really believe in and worship many gods? Dr. John Renard examines each religion for history and sources, religious beliefs, signs and symbols, membership, community, diversity, leadership, authority, organization, personalities, and powers, holidays and regular observances, and customs and rituals.




The Handy Sports Answer BookKevin Hillstrom, Laurie Hillstrom, and Roger Matuz

What makes a curveball curve? What was the longest basketball-winning streak of all time? What is the oldest surviving golf hole in the United States? What Supreme Court justice once won the NFL rushing title? How many horses have won the Triple Crown? Did ancient Chinese shuttlecock kicking lead directly to badminton, or were there other influences? During which World Cup final did Pele lose his shorts? Who are the tallest and smallest players in NBA history? More than 1,000 similar questions are answered in The Handy Sports Answer Book, with chapters on football, baseball, hockey, basketball, the Olympics, soccer, golf, auto racing, horse racing, tennis, boxing, extreme sports, and volleyball, plus a token question on judo and two on fencing. Handy Sports is a sports fan’s dream—not a big or important dream, but a dream nonetheless—for an affordable general sports reference covering origins, history, personalities, rules, techniques, records, and great moments of America’s favorite sports. Many of the questions were blind tested in pubs during nights of enthusiastic brainstorming. We guarantee topicality under the same circumstances. The explosion of women’s sports is covered in detail. Handy Sports is a great primer for the young sports fan and a convenient look-up for more senior spectators.


The Handy Weather Answer Book®

Walter A. Lyons, Ph.D.

“Well written at a level that is enjoyable to everyone. I highly recommend this book to any lay reader, weather watcher or atmospheric professional.” – The Weather Doctor.

Everyone has something to say about the weather. Former NASA researcher and professional meteorologist Dr. Walter A. Lyons and his Handy Weather Answer Book® just have more to say than most. Where else can you find the answer to the existential question: Do mobile homes attract tornadoes? From cloud formations to rainbow development, Handy Weather takes on the controversial climate issues of the day and provides the weather aficionado as well as the more casual enthusiast with a cornucopia of weather facts and trivia. More than 1,000 questions are expertly and clearly answered by Dr. Walt as he covers the greenhouse effect and global warming, smog and acid rain, earthquakes and volcanoes, thunder and lightning, forecasting and careers in meteorology, thunderstorms and winter blasts, droughts and flash floods, hurricanes and tropical storms, and much more, plus fascinating weather-related phenomena like El Niño, Aurora Borealis, and St. Elmo’s Fire. A great book for a rainy day.


Multicultural

African America:Portrait of a People

Edited by Kenneth Estell

“Thoughtfully addresses the challenges and triumphs of Black Americans during the past 400 years.” – Christian Science Monitor.

A timeless almanac to a legacy of pride, struggle, and triumph spanning nearly 400 years, African America is a fascinating mix of biography, little-known or understood history, enlightening essays on significant legislation and movements, rare photography, and illuminating storytelling. With a unique focus on people, it presents biographies of 500 influential figures. Eighteen topical chapters cover current and historic issues and events surrounding the civil rights movement, African American literature, art, and music, religion within the black community, advances in science and medicine, and other topics of key interest to students of African American culture.

ISBN 97808103945371994, 816 pages, 300 photos7.25” x 9.25” paperback$24.95 ($34.95 Can.)7th printing




Black Firsts4,000 Ground-Breaking and Pioneering Events2nd Edition

Jessie Carney Smith

“A superb historical study of black achievement.” – Houston Chronicle.

Readers will revel in the stories of barrier-breaking pioneers in all fields-arts, entertainment, business, civil rights, education, government, inventing, journalism, religion, science, sports, and more. And they will rejoice in their triumphs. With hundreds of illustrations and a daily calendar of firsts, Black Firsts is the culmination of many hours of work, courage, and perseverance, the exact qualities represented within. Black Firsts is a testament to a rich but often overlooked part of our history. Jessie Carney Smith, William and Camille Cosby Professor of the Humanities at Fisk University, gives us stories of a people overcoming adversity to emerge triumphant. A vital collection of amazing scholarship, Black Firsts remembers and celebrates those who have won personal victories against the forces arrayed against them.

ISBN 97815785914282003, 808 pages150 photos7.25” x 9.25” paperback$24.95 ($39.95 Can.)9th printing

Multicultural

Black HeroesJessie Carney Smith

“Brimming with information and more than 200 photographs, Black Heroes will intrigue and inspire all those who seek to know more about our nation’s history.” – Atlanta Metro.

Black Heroes is a who’s who of cultural importance to all Americans. In recognition and celebration of African American achievement over the past 100 years, this landmark book details the lives of 150 individuals who have made a profound impact on our culture---from W. E. B. Du Bois to Colin Powell, from Rosa Parks to Maya Angelou, from Romare Bearden to Josephine Baker. Distinguished author and scholar Jessie Carney Smith has created another classic guide to extraordinary individuals sure to please readers of any age. Brimming with information and more than 200 photographs, Black Heroes details the stories of men and women who beat the odds and advanced to miraculous heights.


Native America:Portrait of the Peoples

Duane Champagne

With energy, range, and a clear detailed vision of Native cultures, issues, and history, Portrait of the Peoples captures the epic story of Native America from a unique and intimate perspective. The powerful discussion is enhanced with nearly 200 photographs and illustrations, many of them from Native sources. “I am grateful that Native people have been contributors to this project,” writes Dennis Banks in the foreword. “No longer will we have to sift though non-Indian writings looking for shreds of the truth.” Edited by Duane Champagne, director of the UCLA American Indian Studies Center and of Chippewa descent, Native America thoughtfully articulates the values, struggles, triumphs, and spirit of Native communities and features hundreds of biographies of prominent historical figures and current leaders. Seventeen chapters written by experts with a diversity of viewpoints cover current and historical issues surrounding Native history and culture, protest movements, language, religion, health practices, art, literature, and media. Extensive information on Canadian Natives is also provided. Portrait of the Peoples should serve as a standard reference for anyone interested in Native cultures and issues.



Metaphors DictionaryEdited by Elyse Sommer

“Rates a recommendation to lovers of language.” – William Safire, New York Times.

A masterful metaphor, like a picture, may be worth a thousand words. By comparing two unlike objects or ideas, it illuminates the similarities between them, accomplishing in a word or phrase what could otherwise be expressed only in many words, if at all.

Metaphors Dictionary is an expansive collection of 6,500 colorful classic and contemporary comparative phrases (with full annotations and a complete bibliography of sources). The Metaphors Dictionary revisits most of the great and respected names in the annals of cultural literacy while dipping into current literature and media sources. And now available for the first time in hard cover, it’s bound for heavy duty at a price that’s hard to beat.

ISBN 97815785913742001, 672 pages7.25” x 9.25” hardbound$29.95 ($34.95 Can.)5th printing

Power QuotesEdited by Daniel B. Baker

In this easy-to-use and fun-to-read collection of more than 4,000 quotes, politicians and philosophers, poets and priests, CEOs and comedians all share their views on leadership and liberty, treason and triumph, sacrifice and scandal, risk and rebellion, weakness and war, and other affaires politiques. For instance, Groucho Marx on politics: “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.” A Visible Ink bestseller since the reign of George the Senior, it just keeps going and going. Apparently good quotes, like fine wine, just get better with age. Or maybe it’s the back cover copy. With Power Quotes, readers can learn what Plato and Aristotle had to say about democracy, and find Mark Twain musing on any number of topics, including: “Its name is Public Opinion. It is held in reverence. It settles everything. Some think it is the voice of God.” Selected with impeccable judgment by quote master Daniel Baker, the quotes are organized under 50 themes such as ethics, monarchy, politics, public opinion, taxes, and war and peace.

ISBN 97808103941621992, 408 pages6” x 9” paperback$19.95 ($27.95 Can.)8th printing

Multicultural

Encyclopedia of ChristmasTanya Gulevich

“Christmas is a holiday with a tremendously rich tradition. But you’d have to be a Santa Claus brainiac to be familiar with all the history, myths, legends, customs and religious observances of the season. It’s nice to see someone has gotten around to compiling a handy guide to Christmastime arcana. The book dutifully and reverently addresses all the religious and ethnic variations attached to the year-end holiday. One thing is for certain: After reading this hefty Christmas dissertation, you’ll be one smart elf.” – Arizona Republic.

Ho Ho Ho. Officially, the phenomenon of Christmas now begins shortly after Labor Day. Apart from shop till you drop and credit cards on the max, Christmas is a holiday with a long history of twists and turns. The Encyclopedia of Christmas provides readers of all ages with a convenient, easy-to-use source of information on virtually every aspect of this sprawling celebration. From Advent to Zagmug, an ancient Sumerian festival of annual renewal, and with entries on related days and celebrations (such as the Annunciation, Candlemas, and Ephiphany), the Encyclopedia has Christmas covered.

Published by OmnigraphicsISBN 97807808045552000, 752 pages illustrated6” x 9” paperback$24.95 ($35.00 Can.)

Words


Great American Trials:From Salem Witchcraft to Rodney King

Edward W. Knappman

“An extraordinary introduction for anyone contemplating a legal career; for the rest of us it is a fine reference and a delight to read.” – Chicago Tribune.

Two hundred historically significant, legally important, and notorious trials that have been sources of continuing entertainment, public ritual, and real-life drama are recalled through lively text and captivating photos. Included are brief and accurate summaries of such trials as Dred Scott, Lizzy Borden, Leopold and Loeb, Teapot Dome, Brown v. Board of Education, Mapplethorpe, Charles Manson, Roe v. Wade, Jim Bakker, Mike Tyson, Ted Bundy, William Calley, William Kennedy Smith, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, Ernesto Miranda, and Oliver North. Here you’ll find the major players, name, place, and date of each trial, crime charged or claim made, and the verdict and sentence followed by a discussion of the significance and impact of the trial (with suggestions for further reading). Of interest to crime and mystery readers, history devotees, teachers, jury members, court followers, students, legal professionals, journalists, and prison inmates, Great American Trials is a masterful collection of great courtroom dramas.

ISBN 97808103913451994, 928 pages175 photos7.25” x 9.25” paperback$24.95 ($34.95 Can.)9th printing

The Superhero Book:The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-Book Icons and Hollywood Heroes

Gina Misiroglu with David A. Roach

“Here’s an ‘ultimate’ encyclopedia that lives up to its billing.” – Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Modern mythology leaps into the popular culture from the pages of comic books and now propels the astounding growth of the graphic novel. Aimed at the genesis, The Superhero Book is the ultimate A-to-Z compendium of everyone’s favorite overachievers in the pitched battle between good and evil. With 300 entries examining more than 1,000 high-powered icons and their place in the popular firmament, The Superhero Book is the first comprehensive profile of superheroes across all media, following their path from comic-book stardom to radio, television, movies, and novels. With more than 150 full-color illustrations (including dozens of classic comic covers), The Superhero Book covers the best-loved and most historically significant superheroes—mainstream and counterculture, famous and forgotten, best and worst. Readers will delight in the mountain of trivia, never-before revealed facts and finds, and insider information.

ISBN 97815785915412004, 748 pages150 illustrations in color7.25” x 9.25” paperback$29.95 ($39.95 Can.)

The Supervillain BookGina Misiroglu and Michael Eury

“I wish that The Supervillain Book could be required reading so that all the bizarre knowledge that fans like me have on the subject would be shared by everyone.”– Alex Ross, artist of Kingdom Come and Justice (DC Comics).

What would a good guy be without the bad guy? Boring. Drawing from sources in comic books, film, live-action and animated television, newspaper strips, toys, and manga and anime, The Supervillain Book exhaustively explores the extraordinary lives and careers of hundreds of overachieving evildoers. This definitive A-to-Z guide to supervillains—nefarious masterminds, sinister societies, and destructive dominators that have battled super- and other fictional heroes—is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Superhero Book. A must-read for anyone ever enthralled with mythic wickedness, The Supervillain Book investigates each character’s origin, modus operandi, costumes, weapons and gadgetry, secret hideouts, chief henchmen, and minions, while serving a super-sized trove of fascinating trivia. It also takes you behind the scenes, describing the creation and development of these marvelously malicious, menacing, and malevolent characters. Splashing the pages in full glorious color are exciting film stills and comic-book images of villains in action, plus entertaining sidebars galore. The dark side has never been so inviting.

ISBN 97815785917872006, 464 pages156 illustrations in color7.25” x 9.25” paperback$29.95 ($39.95 Can.)

Pop Culture / Crime

New Titles

ISBN TITLE U.S. Price Page

9781578592128 Angels, A to Z, 2nd Edition (MAY 2008) 24.95 2

9781578591909 The Handy Anatomy Answer Book (JUNE 2008) 21.95 2

9781578591930 The Handy Astronomy Answer Book (OCTOBER 2008) 21.95 2

9781578591923 Freedom Facts and Firsts (JANUARY 2009) 24.95 1

Best-Selling Backlist

ISBN TITLE U.S. Price Carton Qty Page

9781578591916 American Murder 24.95 16 4

9781578591688 Armageddon Now 24.95 18 4

9781578591442 The Astrology Book, 2nd Edition 24.95 8 4

9781578591428 Black Firsts 24.95 10 13

9781578591367 Black Heroes 29.95 12 13

9781578591749 Conspiracies and Secret Societies 24.95 16 5

9780787601560 The Dream Encyclopedia 19.95 20 5

9780780804555 The Encyclopedia of Christmas 24.95 12 14

9781578592098 The Encyclopedia of Religious Phenomena 24.95 20 3

9781578591473 Fortune-Telling Book 24.95 14 5

9780810391345 Great American Trials 24.95 12 15

9781578591107 The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) 19.95 22 8

9781578591503 The Handy Biology Answer Book 21.95 10 8

9781578590629 The Handy Geography Answer Book 21.95 18 8

9781578591565 The Handy Geology Answer Book 21.95 18 9

9781578591701 The Handy History Answer Book 21.95 12 9

9781578591718 The Handy Math Answer Book 21.95 16 9

9781578590636 The Handy Ocean Answer Book 21.95 14 10

9781578590582 The Handy Physics Answer Book 21.95 20 10

9781578591398 The Handy Politics Answer Book 21.95 14 10

9781578591671 The Handy Presidents Answer Book 21.95 10 11

9781578591251 The Handy Religion Answer Book 21.95 12 11

9781578591404 The Handy Science Answer Book® 21.95 12 11

9781578590759 The Handy Sports Answer Book 19.95 16 12

9781578591961 The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book 21.95 18 3

9780787610340 The Handy Weather Answer Book® 19.95 20 12

9781578591374 Metaphors Dictionary 29.95 10 14

9780810394162 Power Quotes 19.95 18 14

9781578591466 Real Ghosts, Restless Spirits, and Haunted Places 24.95 14 6

9781578591510 The Religion Book 24.95 18 6

9781578591725 The Spirit Book 24.95 16 6

9781578591541 The Superhero Book 29.95 8 15

9781578591787 The Supervillain Book 29.95 14 15

9781578590704 Unexplained! 24.95 12 6

9781578590711 The Vampire Book 24.95 10 7

9781578590780 The Werewolf Book 21.95 20 7

9781578591145 The Witch Book 24.95 12 7

2008 - visible ink press

Documents