WASHINGTON (Aug. 14, 2012)—Look out. This fall, things are going to get weird. National Geographic Books’ new publication NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TALES OF THE WEIRD (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-0965-9; on sale Oct. 23, 2012; $18.95 trade paperback) has more than 500 pages of the world’s most unbelievable true stories. The editor-in-chief of National Geographic Daily News website, David Braun, has collected the most popular, surprising and fun stories that have astounded and entertained his hundreds of millions of visitors for more than a decade.
This affordable reader is filled with stories of some of the world’s strangest phenomena, such as the truth behind the Maya “Doomsday” calendar, the albino Cyclops shark found off the coast of Mexico, the mind-controlling fungus that can turn ants into zombies, the secret Cold War mission that led to the Titanic’s discovery, and the discovery of the world’s oldest mattress. Each story is stranger than the next and must be read to be believed.
TALES OF THE WEIRD is divided into 11 chapters: Ancient Rites & Sacred Places; The Body Human; Creature Features; Creepy Crawlies; Explaining the Unexplained; Feathered Friends; The Final Frontier; Human History; Natural Phenomena; Prehistoric Life; and Underwater Weirdness. The book is packed with hundreds of photos, fact-filled sidebars and timelines, and engaging anecdotes that only enhance the weird experience.
Since its founding in 2001, hundreds of millions of fans have clicked on National Geographic Daily News stories — from the discovery of a fish with a see-through head to the secrets of Area 51. The stories befuddle and amaze as they reveal the curious science behind each one. Now these popular stories of extraordinary phenomena are at your fingertips in book format. This volume is a must-have for science, history and nature lovers and fans of National Geographic Daily News website or “fun fact” trivia books. Backed by science, diligently researched and fueled by curiosity, these TALES OF THE WEIRD stretch the imagination.
About the Author
David Braun is editor-in-chief of nationalgeographic.com’s Daily News, Environment and Science content (news.nationalgeographic.com). A journalist for 35 years covering science, environment, technology, business and politics for newspapers, magazines, newsletters and online news services, Braun’s former positions include political correspondent for The Star newspaper (Johannesburg, South Africa), Washington bureau chief for Africa’s largest newspaper group (Independent Newspapers), Washington correspondent for CMP Media’s TechWeb and Public Affairs editor for the National Geographic Society.
About National Geographic Books
National Geographic Books is a global publisher of 125 new books annually in Adult and Children’s combined, as well as a publisher of digital content and services with more than 50 partners who translate our books.
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; school publishing programs; live events; interactive media; merchandise; and travel programs. For more information on National Geographic Books, visit facebook.com/NatGeoBooks and nationalgeographic.com/books.
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