Die Erde ist flach! Tabakrauch heilt Ohrenschmerzen! Im Gleichschritt marschierende Soldaten haben ganze Brücken einstürzen lassen! – Alles Quatsch? Worüber wir heute lachen, daran haben unsere Vorfahren noch fest geglaubt. Noch verrückter: Man hielt derlei Aussagen für wissenschaftlich belegte Tatsachen. Dieses Buch stellt eine reizende Auswahl der kuriosesten Wissenschaftsirrtümer der Menschheitsgeschichte vor und erklärt, wie es zu den falschen Annahmen kam, welche Auswüchse sie annahmen und wie das Ganze aus heutiger Perspektive zu sehen ist.
Graeme Donald Bücher







Jetzt ist Schluss mit langweiligen Sitzungen! Nutzen Sie die Zeit auf dem stillen Örtchen, um Bildungslücken zu schließen: Hier finden Sie Anregungen, kuriose und unterhaltsame Fakten aus allen Wissensgebieten rund um den Klobus. Die perfekte Lektüre für alle, die neben ihrer Verdauung auch die grauen Zellen anregen möchten …
Ein Quäntchen Glück gehört eben auch dazu: Graeme Donald enthüllt die faszinierenden Geschichten, die hinter so manchen spektakulären Entdeckungen und Erfindungen aus Naturwissenschaft, Medizin und Wirtschaft stecken. Von Botox und Penizillin bis zum genetischen Fingerabdruck, von der Mikrowelle über Telefon, Handy und Post-it bis zu LSD zeigt dieses fesselnde Buch, dass auch dem genialsten Wissenschaftler stets der Zufall ein wenig in die Hände gespielt hat!
The Long and the Short of It
- 192 Seiten
- 7 Lesestunden
We've always measured the world around us, from how big things are, to how fast they go, how much they're worth and practically everything in between. But who decided how we do it, and why?
Words of a Feather
- 256 Seiten
- 9 Lesestunden
Is there any PRESTIGE in a STRAITJACKET? When does a CLIQUE become a CLICHE? And what has MORRIS DANCING to do with MAURITANIA? In this witty volume, Graeme Donald explores the intriguing links between words with a common origin.
Man Who Shot the Man Who Shot Lincoln: And 44 Other Forgotten Figures from History
- 307 Seiten
- 11 Lesestunden
Focusing on the overlooked figures in history, the narrative explores the lives of forty-five individuals whose actions significantly impacted well-known events and personalities. From Edwin Booth's life-saving intervention to the betrayal of Anne Frank's family, the book highlights fascinating stories, including a Hollywood star who influenced military tactics and Hermann Goering's brother, who aided Jewish lives. Engaging and offbeat, it challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of historical narratives and the unsung heroes and villains within them.
On This Day in History
- 384 Seiten
- 14 Lesestunden
A journey through all 365 days of the year, examining some of the most significant events in history that occured on that day The abandoned Mary Celeste is mysteriously found drifting in the mid-Atlantic; Mozart is buried in an unmarked communal grave; and U.S. Prohibition is brought to an end. Although separated by centuries, these events all share the same December 5th. On This Day in History looks back at all 365 days of the year and provides short, riveting entries on the most significant events in history that occurred on that day. One single day could see Alexander the Great cozying up to Winston Churchill and Fidel Castro, or Cleopatra could find herself sharing a page with Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi. This book traverses continents and timelines to give its own unique perspective on these historical events. A wide variety of familiar and lesser-known events are represented, providing fascinating facts that are guaranteed both to educate and entertain any history enthusiast.
The Accidental Scientist
- 192 Seiten
- 7 Lesestunden
The Accidental Scientist explores the role of chance and error in scientific, medical and commercial innovation, outlining exactly how some of the most well-known products, gadgets and useful gizmos came to be.
When the Earth Was Flat
- 192 Seiten
- 7 Lesestunden
When the Earth Was Flat tells the fascinating story behind scientific theories we once believed to be true, and shows how the way we view the world, and the way we think the world works, has changed completely throughout history.
The Mysteries of History
- 198 Seiten
- 7 Lesestunden
A fascinating book that takes events and characters from history that are widely believed to be true, and reveals the falsehoods and untruths that surround them.