<P><B> From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe: everything you never knew you never knew about every country on Earth </B></P> <P> 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 minuscule. You won't find the following in your average travel guide: <BR><BR> <li>Why is kissing on trains banned in France? <BR> <li>In what country are litigants expected to present their case at court in the form of a poem? <BR> <li>Which war did women win in 1929 just by sitting down? <BR> <li>If Panama hats aren't from Panama, where are they from? <BR> <li>Who eat fresh camel dung as a cure for dysentery (and why does it work)? <BR> <li>Why were U.S. disc jockeys once told they could play birthday requests on any day except the one requested? <BR> <li>Which modern dictator banned old age, libraries and gold teeth, and was later replaced by his dentist? <BR><BR> <li>And 2,000 more funny, trivial, poignant and telling facts </P> <P> A must for active and armchair globe-trotters alike, <I>A World of Curiosities</I> will engross anyone who is at all curious about the world beyond their door. Explore and enjoy. </P>