{"product_id":"9780452297838","title":"A World of Curiosities: Surprising, Interesting, and Downright Unbelievable Facts from Every Nation on t he Planet","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom Afghanistan to Zimbabwe: everything you never knew you never knew about every country on Earth.A scientist by training and an explorer by passion, Dr. John Oldale has logged half a million miles visiting more than ninety nations. Now, he celebrates our weird and wonderful world in a cornucopia of fascinating facts brought vividly to life through the unexpected stories behind them. Touching on history, travel, politics, natural history and more, he paints a unique portrait of each country from the mightiest to the most miniscule. You won't find the following in your average travel guide:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e·        Why is kissing on trains banned in France?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e·        In what country are litigants expected to present their case at court in the form of a poem?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e·        Which war did women win in 1929 just by sitting down?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e·        If Panama hats aren’t from Panama, where are they from?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e·        Who eat fresh camel dung as a cure for dysentery (and why does it work)?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e·        Why were US disk jockeys once told they could play birthday requests on any day except the one requested?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e·        Which modern dictator banned old age, libraries and gold teeth, and was later replaced by his dentist?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e·         And 2,000 more funny, trivial, poignant, and telling facts \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  A must for active and armchair globe-trotters alike, \u003ci\u003eA World of Curiosities\u003c\/i\u003e will engross anyone who is at all curious about the world beyond their door. Explore and enjoy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47025659117808,"sku":"9780452297838","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780452297838_p0.jpg?v=1763705718","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780452297838","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}