Think of anything bad, from art heists to Genghis Kahn, and it's likely to be included in this wickedly smart and humorous guide to the seedy underbelly of basically everything. The brainiac team at mental—floss, creators of the hit magazine and last year's Condensed Knowledge, have scoured the darkest, dirtiest corners of history and the globe to gather this ultimate collection of the bad stuff you're not supposed to know and you certainly never learned in school.

Organised by theme, with chapters for each of the seven deadly sins, the book includes feuds, plagiarists, hoaxes, lies, schemes, scandals, evil dictators, mob bosses, acts of revenge, angry queens, cannibals and much more, all organized into bite–sized–– albeit foul–tasting–– lists (i.e."The Fascist Style Guide: Five Dictator Grooming Tips", "Four Biblical Girls Gone Wild" and "Three Delicious Animals We Charbroiled Into Extinction."). It's the perfect way to add some spice to a dull conversation and proves that learning can be not only easy, but exquisitely sinful.

People love feeling smart, but the vast majority of us don't want to work for the knowledge. This past year saw the huge success of Schott's and similar titles, demonstrating that readers are hungry for fun and quick reads that will help them feel smart again.

The book has a built–in audience of subscribers and fans of the magazine and Condensed Knowledge. The success of Schott's and similar titles have proven that there is a huge market for "get smart quick" books. It will appeal to college and high school students; teachers can use it to spice up their lessons; and it's a godsend for busy professionals who want to sound smart at parties but don't have time to do the research.

Match your answers:
(1) Stephen Daedalus of James Joyce's Ulysses
(2) Henry Ford
(3) Arthur Schopenhauer

It turns out that answer need not be bunk, nightmarish, or diseased. In the hands of mental_floss, history's most interesting bits have been handpicked and roasted to perfection. Packed with little-known stories and outrageous—but accurate—facts, you'll laugh yourself smarter on this joyride through 60,000 years of human civilization. Remember: just because it's true, doesn't mean it's boring!

What does Greece (the country) have to do with Grease (the movie)? And what does Grease (the movie) have to do with greasy food? Plenty, if you ask the folks at mental_floss.

Based on the magazine's "Scatterbrained" section, the mental_floss gang has taken on the Mount Everest of trivia challenges: connecting the entire world through the juiciest facts they could find. How do you get from Puppies to Stalin; from Humpty Dumpty to Elizabeth Taylor; from the Hundred Years' War to 8 Minute Abs; or even from Schoolhouse Rock to Abstract Expressionism? You'll just have to open up the book to find out.

Monet? Manet? Who can even tell the difference? Well, with the help of the newest mental_floss tome, you can! Want to learn how to tell egg rolls from spring rolls, nuclear bombs from dirty nuclear bombs, or even how to tell an idiot from a moron (there's a real scientific difference)? Piece of cake! Whether you're trying to impress your boss, your mother-in-law, attractive singles, or a pack of fourth graders (you know how they love semantics), mental_floss gives you all the tips and tricks to have you sounding like a genius.

Friends? Romans? Countrymen?
You never know whom you'll have to impress
at your next corporate shindig or keg party.

Whatever the target audience, mental_floss knows staring facedown into the punch bowl isn't the trick. In fact, that's exactly why we're handing you Cocktail Party Cheat Sheets—a totally effective, foolproof guide to starting and sustaining conversations on every topic under the sun. Want to wax wise about barbarians, socialist theory, and jazz musicians? What about Keynesian economics, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and James Joyce's Ulysses? Well, it's all right here in front of you.

We've jam-packed this book with jaw-dropping facts and hysterical anecdotes that are sure to please. So go ahead and stock up for your next soiree. We're not guaranteeing it will make you the most knowledgeable person in the room . . . just the most interesting.

Have you ever felt maddeningly stumped when others are discussing Dante's Inferno? Or felt a familiar sinking feeling when that cutie asks what you think about the origins of the cashew nut? Or perhaps you've balked while attempting an impromptu oratory on quantum physics? If so, then this is the book for you. Instant Knowledge is a quirky compendium of trivia and factoids that spans the gamut of intellectual conversation and beyond. From theories of relativity to the Geneva Convention, you'll be able to wax poetic, philosophic –– whatever you want! –– on hundreds of topics.

It's super easy to use: just add conversation and watch the Instant Knowledge grow. And in this handy Gem format, you have a veritable Ace up your sleeve when attending cocktail parties, gallery openings, or dinner with the boss!

It's the perfect gift for doctors and would-be doctors of all ages, from the highest-ranked boxed medical school in the country!

It's the perfect gift for lawyers and would-be lawyers of all ages, from the highest-ranked boxed law school in the country!