Liz Evers

Death may be bleak but - rest in peace - there is nothing gloomy about this curious compendium of tales of the departed. Here is a book that looks at the funny side of one of life's certainties (the other being taxes ... about which nothing is amusing). With advice on planning your big finish and how to attract the crowds at your funeral, as well as inspirational anecdotes involving extremely wealthy animals, no headstone is left unturned in the quest for hilarity. From funeral facts and famous last words, to musings on the afterlife, all that is witty and wry about kicking the bucket is presented here for your amusement. Just don't follow the example of the Greek philosopher Chrysippus ... who died laughing.

Dying for a Laugh

I Told You I Was Ill

Niav Gallagher

The Irish struck out across America's frontiers, built its railroads, fought on both sides of the civil war, captured its major historic moments in print, paint and bronze, led many of its religious denominations, policed its streets, set up its banks, educated its masses, entertained America on its stages and screens and in its sporting arenas, and made ground-breaking contributions in science and engineering. This collection documents fifty Irish people who made an indelible mark on American society, politics and culture. People like the pirate Anne Bonney and Gertrude Brice Kelly, one of New York City's first surgeons, feature alongside more familiar names such as Maureen O'Hara, Maeve Brennan, Rex Ingram and the architect of the White House James Hoban.About the Dictionary of Irish Biography: The Dictionary of Irish Biography, a research project of the Royal Irish Academy, is the most comprehensive and authoritative biographical dictionary yet published for Ireland. It comprises over 10,000 lives, which describe and assess the careers of subjects in all fields of endeavour, including politics, law, religion, literature, journalism, architecture, music and the arts, the sciences, medicine, entertainment and sport.

Irish Lives in America

The works of William Shakespeare have been a permanent feature on school curricula for years, and almost everbody can boast even a basic knowledge of his life and craft. But, with thirty-eight plays, over 150 sonnets and numerous other poems, there's such a wealth of material it's no wonder we sometimes forget the finer details. To Be Or Not To Be is a fresh, new look at Shakespeare's work showing how and why it remains such an integral part of popular culture and the English language. From what drove Ophelia mad, to the real meaning behind the phrase 'Wherefore art thou, Romeo?', this book covers everything: from the characters, essential plotlines and the famous lines from a host of Shakespeare's greatest works, to illuminating information on the playwright himself. This is a true Shakespearian treasure trove that nobody should be without.

And everything else you should know from Shakespeare

To Be Or Not To Be

Laughing In the Face of Death

From the ice-age recordings of moon cycles and the earliest calendars, to modern wristwatches and quantum clocks, time and its effects have always enthralled mankind. We've spent centuries developing new ways of measuring time, describing it and quantifying it, and such methods have given rise to some of the most technically and aesthetically beautiful devices ever invented. This book is a tribute to timekeeping in its many forms and takes in the most significant creations as well as countless time trivia - peppered with time-related anecdotes and quotes, this really is an essential handbook for anyone fascinated by the fourth dimension.

From Calendars and Clocks to Moon Cycles and Light Years - A History

It's About Time

The terrifying events that befell the first Sleeping Beauty when she finally woke up, how Snow White's stepmother really died, and who the wolf actually was in Little Red Riding Hood--the true stories behind beloved nursery rhymes and fairy tales Until recently, weird tales of fairy curses and flesh-eating ogres were considered suitable bedtime reading. And the strange-sounding and sometimes violent rhymes we learned by rote were often taught to us in school. But have you ever asked yourself what on earth they were about? And what exactly were the morals and lessons we were meant to learn from them? This book delves into the origins of the best-known rhymes and tales to uncover a legacy of folk superstition, rotten royal families, execution, child marriage, cannibalism, and the multitude of other random acts of cruelty that make up any classic treasury. You'll learn about the bloody history of "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary;" why Margery Daw, the subject of an innocent-seeming seesaw game, was accused of being a "dirty slut;" how pretending to decapitate your little friends to the tune of "Oranges and Lemons" became an acceptable pastime; and the origins of other favorite bedtime rhymes and tales.

Liz Evers

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