Enjoy the Silence
Medieval Norwegian monks developed their own form of sign language so that they could talk during meals, when verbal communication was forbidden. Written rules...
Who Haunts the National Library of India?
The National Library of India is located in Belvedere House, a sprawling mansion that formerly served as the palace of the Viceroy of India...
But What a Way to Croak
About 45 million years ago, hundreds of ancient frogs suffered a watery death while enjoying an amphibian orgy. This summer, paleontologists finally figured out...
Who was Behind the Berners Street Hoax?
A new post on the Georgian Era blog shares the story of the Berners Street Hoax, a prank that sent thousands of trades people...
50,000 Year Old Needle Changes What We Know About Early Humanity
Researchers working in a Siberian cave found a 50,000 year old needle that was not made by Homo Sapiens. Located in the Denisova cave,...
The Mild-Mannered Executioner
In a post on his blog, writer and history buff Marlin Bressi shares the fascinating life story of Frank Lee Wilson, an electrician, former...
Prompt: Imagine Yourself Back Home
This week’s Write the Book prompt was suggested by Jennifer Egan, who assigns this exercise to her students. Imagine yourself in a physical place, such...
Britain’s Oldest Prayer Beads
The Telegraph reports that archaeologists on the island of Lindisfarne have discovered prayers beads made from salmon vertebrae. Believed to date from the 8th to...
The Curse of a Good Book
Who doesn't love a good cursed book? In a post on Mental Floss, April Snellings describes eight that you can steal use in your...
Will No One Help the Widow’s Son?
This week's Write the Book prompt was suggested by Carlos Allende, who wants you to create a character that does something immoral or reprehensible....
