# Two New Book Titles coming out this fall **URL:** \ **Category:** Marketplace\ **Created:** [March 12, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357 "2020-03-12T19:08:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/1 "2020-03-12T19:08:28Z")
My two books coming out in the fall have been given new titles by the publishers 1.) \*\* Lost Wonderland\*\* is the new title of what I had called _Backstage at Wonderland_. I have just finished a massive series of revisions, cutting, and recasting the forms of my references, but it should all be worth it. I think this is going to be a really great book – the history of Boston’s biggest amusement park from 1906 to 1910. It goes beyond Local Interest – it’s a story of ambition, greed, creativity, love, marriage, divorce, and backstabbing – our own little _Boardwalk Empire_, but without the deaths. I think that, finally, this will be a book that I won’t have to beg bookstores to stock. University of Massachusetts Press 2.) **Sandbows and Blacklights: Essays on Optics** is the new title of what I’ve been calling _Zap II_. It’s made up of the essays on Weird Optics that I’ve written for the Optical Society, expanded and updated, along with a couple of new ones I wrote just for the book. The book covers Edible Optics, Tanagra Theater and the Fishbowl Mermaid (Illusions in which miniature people are seen), Why Candle flames are Yellow (If you think you know why, you’re probably wrong), Who Really Invented the Black Light (If you look on the Internet, you’ll get the answer William H. Byler, in 1935. That’s wrong. It was invented long before that, and Byler had nothing to do with it. Furthermore, he never claimed to), and more History of the Ray Gun. Plus why Monocles were made for only one eye, why ultraviolet light kills vampires, and more! Oxford University Press 3.) In other news, I have an article in _Mushroom News_ this month on making vitamin D in mushrooms with xenon flashlamps. Run out an get your copy now! 4.) Possibly of more interest, my short story _The Game of Hare and Hounds_ will be appearing in the anthology **20,000 Leagues Remembered** being published by Pole to Pole Publishing to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the publication of Jules Verne’s _20,000 Leagues Under the Sea_. Coming out some time in the latter half of this year. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/2 "2020-03-12T20:30:33Z")
Sheesh, **Cal** , is there any field you’re not an expert in? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/3 "2020-03-13T03:32:06Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Sheesh, **Cal** , is there any field you’re not an expert in? Spellchecking thread titles, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/4 "2020-03-13T19:52:43Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Plus why Monocles were made for only one eye Because if they were made for two eyes, they’d be diplocles? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/5 "2020-03-13T20:26:16Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > Because if they were made for two eyes, they’d be diplocles? Perfect for a diplodocus! > **[Diplodocus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplodocus)** > > Diplodocus (/dɪˈplɒdəkəs/, /daɪˈplɒdəkəs/, or /ˌdɪploʊˈdoʊkəs/) was a genus of diplodocid sauropod dinosaurs, whose fossils were first discovered in 1877 by S. W. Williston. The generic name, coined by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1878, is a Neo-Latin term derived from Greek διπλός (diplos) "double" and δοκός (dokos) "beam", in reference to the double-beamed chevron bones located in the underside of the tail, which were then considered unique. > The genus of dinosaurs lived in what is now mid-wes... No – seriously, why make only one half of a pair of glasses? What about the other eye? And before you say it – yes, it appears that most wearers of monocles really did need correction in both eyes. So, why? ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/6 "2020-03-13T22:38:26Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > So, why? Besides looking cool? I assume the price of a _pair_ of glasses wasn’t an issue, but I have no idea what kind of whanging headache one might get from wearing pre-20th-century spectacles for any length of time. But we must never underestimate the paramount influence of fashion. Like, why do some people today wear glasses (or monocles?!) even when they can see fine? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/7 "2020-03-14T00:52:55Z")
For the same reason that a lot of folks wear bifocals, I’m guessing? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/8 "2020-03-14T23:23:49Z")
Read the book (or my article). No “whanging headache,” it turns out – your brain responds differently in this situation. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2020, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/9 "2020-03-15T15:15:17Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Spellchecking thread titles, obviously. Fixed. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/10 "2020-03-21T00:36:44Z")
They sent me a copy of the cover image for _Lost Wonderland_. It looks awesome! Can’t share it yet, though. They’re tweaking it. It’s based on this postcard, though – [Wonderland Entrance, Revere Beach MA Postcard Amusement Park | eBay](https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wonderland-Entrance-Revere-Beach-MA-Postcard-Amusement-Park-/332860104650) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/11 "2020-05-24T04:38:37Z")
UMass Press has posted the page for my book **Lost Wonderland**!! > **[Homepage - University of Massachusetts Press](https://www.umasspress.com)** > > Welcome to the online home of University of Massachusetts Press. We publish scholarship, literature, and books for general readers that reflect the quality and diversity of intellectual life on our campuses, in our region, and around the world.... They also posted their Fall 2020/Winter 2021 catalog. Lost Wonderland’s on the first page after the inside cover: > **[University of Massachusetts Press Fall 20 / Winter 21 Catalog](https://issuu.com/umasspress/docs/umpfw2021catalog)** > > Read University of Massachusetts Press Fall 20 / Winter 21 Catalog by umasspress on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platfor... ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/12 "2020-05-26T14:43:08Z")
I clicked on the Amazon Link to Lost Wonderland this morning (I’m a narcissicist, OK?) and was astonished at the “Sponsored Products Related to this Item” What, I wondered, could the 'bots at Amazon think would be similar to my as-yet-unpublished book? Or would at least appeal to people who might like it. The results are both edifying and humbling: **Aztec Mythology** by Matt Clayton – OK, maybe they put this up because of my book on mythology, _Medusa_ **The Crazy Life of a Kid from Brooklyn** by Bill Morgenstein – I have no idea why they selected this one **African-American History** by Adam Brown – Complete disconnect here I’m just confused **F is for Fart: Handwriting Activity Book** by J. Heitsch – I’m guessing this is an editorial comment **World History** by Adam Brown – _Another_ Adam Brown History Book! Aha! That means that… damned if I know what that means. > **[Lost Wonderland: The Brief and Brilliant Life of Boston's Million Dollar...](https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Wonderland-Brilliant-Bostons-Amusement/dp/1625345577)** > > Lost Wonderland: The Brief and Brilliant Life of Boston's Million Dollar Amusement Park \[Wilk, Stephen R.\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Lost Wonderland: The Brief and Brilliant Life of Boston's Million Dollar Amusement Park ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/13 "2020-05-27T16:23:12Z")
I think what it comes down to, is that with very little data, the results are going to be close to random, but even a random list is going to have some five titles or another on the top of it. And they’re not about to just say “Well, the people who buy this book seem to be really weird, so if you’re interested in it, you probably don’t want to buy anything else from us”. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/14 "2020-05-28T14:40:59Z")
I think it is a bit of “What books do we need to get out of inventory?” ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-new-book-titles-coming-out-this-fall/849357/15 "2020-05-29T22:54:53Z")
I should remember to check Marketplace more often. Looking forward to Zap 2: Electric Boogaloo.