Books in The Complete Idiot's Guide series

The mystique of private investigating draws significant numbers of people to consider it as a career or side business. At the same time, individuals want to learn investigative techniques to solve their own personal and legal problems. In The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Private Investigating, Third Edition, private investigator and former FBI agent Steven Kerry Brown shares his hard-won expertise on everything you need to know to track down people and information, including: Tapping phones and recording conversations. Interviewing and interrogating to get important information. Tricky but legal ways to get needed evidence like the pros. Performing onsite, online, and mobile surveillance without being detected. Skip tracing to find lost loves or people who owe money. Investigating backgrounds of potential employees or spouses. Searching public records online and at the courthouse. Catching a cheating spouse and gathering evidence for divorce cases. Finding runaway teenagers. Doing diligent searches connected with adoptions and estates. Tracking down burglars, thieves, pickpockets, and purse snatchers. Advanced techniques and business advice for those interested in starting their own investigative or background screening agency. Along the way, Brown shares fascinating stories from his cases that highlight his clever methods for tracking down evidence and helping his clients find out what they need to know.

More than magic... Where else can one combine chemistry and philosophy to turn base metal into gold while discovering a magical elixir to prolong life? Here's a simple and straightforward guide to alchemy that explains its basic principles. Written by one of the world's few practicing alchemists, it's a concise reference guide that provides easy-to-follow information so that anybody can be a wizard-in-training.

You’ll never fall into tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. Doing so is like having a trusted friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. That’s because our guidebooks, unlike much of the competition, are written by resident experts—like Celia Pedroso and Paul Ames, the authors of Frommer’s Portugal. Both are Portugal-based and highly respected travel journalists. In this proudly opinionated book, they will help you sort through all the options, so you can tailor a vacation that’s right for you.Inside this book you’ll find: • Insider advice on avoiding crowds as you explore some of Portugal's greatest gems, from Lisbon's Alfama to the beaches of the Algarve, and from the Palácio Nacional de Sintra to the Quinta Palmeira Gardens in Madeira—plus tips for navigating the country's lovely but less-traveled corners, like Trás-os-Mantes and the Minho• Where to discover the absolute best seafood in Lisbon, the tastiest fruit in Sintra and Alcobaça, and the finest wines that Portugal has to offer• Insightful commentary on Portugal's dazzling array of architectural masterpieces, from the Gothic Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória in Alcobaça to the Baroque Palácio Nacional de Queluz.• Opinionated reviews—no bland descriptions and lukewarm recommendations. Our experts are passionate about their country, and they tell it like it is in an engaging and helpful way.• Exact prices listed for every establishment and activity, so there’s never any guessing or nasty surprises• Lodging, restaurant, and shopping recommendations in all ranges from luxe to moderately priced choices for real people• User-friendly features including star ratings, detailed maps, and a pullout map of the country

You’ll never fall into tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. Doing so is like having a trusted friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. That’s because our guidebooks, unlike much of the competition, are written by resident experts—like Brian Kevin, the author of Frommer’s Maine Coast, and the managing editor of Down East magazine. In this highly opinionated book, he’ll help you sort through the options so you can tailor a vacation that’s right for you.Frommer’s Maine Coast covers all of the region’s highlights—from the best beaches and lobster rolls to the most scenic places to hike, kayak, and sail. The book gives in-depth advice on how to tackle the wondrous Acadia National Park, the foodie scene in Portland, such small-town gems as York Village, Camden, Castine, and more.Our guide proudly contains:• Exact prices for every venue and activity listed, so there’s never any guessing or nasty surprises• Detailed maps throughout, plus a handy pullout map• Savvy, hard-hitting reviews of restaurants, hotels, attractions, shopping, and nightlife in all price ranges, from luxe to backpacker-friendly• Helpful suggested itineraries so you can make the most of your vacation time

You’re no idiot, of course. Money’s always on your mind—if you’re not working to make more, you’re wondering where it all went. Will you have to give up movies and CDs to get your bank account to grow? Play it smart and you can have it all! Whether you’re saving for something big—like college—or wondering why you’re always broke, this info-packed book has the answers you need. The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Money for Teens can show you how to: --Stop the bleeding! Easy ways to get a grip on your expenses. --Make sense of bank and credit card statements. --Save up for college or a car and still have cash for fun. --Work wise and shop smart—get the most from your money. --Pay less for the things you buy—even designer labels! --Learn what it takes to be a teen entrepreneur.

Germany has the largest population of any nation in Western Europe, and is the ancestral home of the single largest ethnic group in America. To do justice to this major nation, we have called upon the talents and research abilities of six long-experienced journalists, most of them living full time in Germany. The resulting book is up-to-date, printed in large, easy-to-read fonts and contains:- Dozens of spectacular photos- Full-color maps throughout including a helpful, pull-out map- Compelling and fun-to-read discussions of Germany’s history, art history and current culture- Sample itineraries so you can make the most of your time in country- Savvy tips on how to avoid the crowds and save money, whether you’re a luxury lover or a backpacker- Opinionated advice on historic sights, nature areas, museums and other attractions, with star ratings to help you quickly decide what to see and what to skip. The book also contains dozens of no-holds-barred reviews of hotels, restaurants, nightlife venues and shops, from authors who have visited them all, and so have the ability to compare.

You don't fall into tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. Doing so is like having a trusted friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. That's because our guidebooks, unlike much of the competition, are written by resident experts (not outsiders)―like Janis Turk, the author of Frommer's Texas, and the managing editor of San Antonio AT HOME magazine. In her highly opinionated book, she'll help you sort through the options so you can tailor a vacation that's right for you.Frommer's Texas covers all of the Lone Star State's highlights―from the vibrant nightlife in Austin to the historic sights of Dallas and San Antonio, from the trails of Big Bend to parades of longhorns in Fort Worth and more.This guide has:• Exact pricing, with dollar amounts listed for all lodgings, attractions, restaurants, tours, and shops, so there's no guessing or nasty surprises• Straight-shooting, opinionated reviews that will introduce you to the state's best lodgings, restaurants, adventure outfitters, historic sights, museums, nightlife, shops, and more―in all price ranges, from budget to luxury• Destination highlights from all the major cities (Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin), plus many more outstanding destinations (Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains national parks, the gulf coast, and the panhandle plains)• Detailed maps throughout, plus a handy pullout map• Helpful suggested itineraries so you can experience the most out of your vacation time

If you are a teen, dating can be more important than any other aspect of life. You never tire of discussing it, reading about it, agonizing over it. "The Comlete Idiot's Guide to Dating for Teens" gives help to the dating teenager. It explains how to ask for a date, and how to accept or reject one graciously. If you are already dating, it discusses how to keep a relationship going or how to end it, how to know if going steady is right for you, and how to deal with your date's family and friends.

The comprehensive guide to writing, publishing, and selling for the ever-expanding and always exciting children's market-now in a new and updated second edition. € Includes new chapters for illustrators, on submissions, portfolios, art directors, and more € In 2001, children's book publishing was a $1.8 billion market € Offers practical advice on getting started, plus the basics on writing-and selling-books that kids will love and parents will buy € Very few books on this topic provide specific information by experts € Covers picture book, juvenile, and young adult markets € Includes sample queries and proposals for most types of children's fiction

You're no idiot, of course. You've read all about Roswell and you can recite dialogue from every Star Wars movie. But when it comes to separating myth from fact about extraterrestrials, you feel like you're lost in space. The truth is out there! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Extraterrestrial Intelligence provides objective facts about the most puzzling UFO sightings, historical mysteries, and coverups. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:

Includes 50 project ideas! Offering one-stop shopping for all readers' science fair needs, including 50 projects covering all science disciplines and rated from beginner through advanced, this book takes students and parents through the entire scientific method. Includes: € Choosing the right project € Fun projects, like how much air is in a basketball € How to wow the judges € Make the display board stand out, and more