Why Did It Have to Be Snakes? : From Science to the Supernatural, the Many Mysteries of Indiana Jones

by Gresh, Lois H.; Weinberg, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780470225561
• ISBN10: 0470225564
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-04-21
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Could you really use a bullwhip to swing across a chasm? Or rip out a man's heart without killing him? At last, here is the book that finally answers the Indiana Jones-related questions that have troubled you for years. It tells you everything you've ever wanted to know about the history, culture, and science behind your favorite Indy scenes and settings. You'll find out the truth about the Thuggees and their deadly practices, ancient death traps, the Well of Souls, Kali worship in India, and much more.

Author Biography

Lois H. Gresh and Robert Weinberg have written numerous books together, including The Science of Superheroes, The Science of Supervillains, The Science of James Bond, and The Science of Stephen King.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Hovitos Temple and Golden Idol

Deadly Tarantulas

Gigantic Rolling Boulder

South American Indian Weapons: Poison Darts, Bows and Arrows

Archaeology

Real-life archeologists like Indiana Jones

Bullwhips

Fedoras

Leather Jackets

The Nazis and the Occult

The Ark of the Covenant

Staff of Ra

Tanis, the Lost City of Ancient Egypt

The Well of Souls, the Temple, and the Map Room

Deadly Snakes

Sea Planes and Luftwaffe Airplanes

Cliff Roads Near Cairo

Nazi U-Boats

Secret German Submarine Bases

Secret Jewish Ceremonies and Sacred Breastplates

The Ark: Telephone Link to God

Top-Secret U.S. Archives

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Giant Gongs in Club Obi-Wan in Shanghai

Anything Goes

The Nurhachi

The Gigantic Diamond

Poisons and their Antidotes

The Shanghai Mob

The Route from Shanghai to India

Northern India and the Hindi Language

Delhi and Pankot

Maharajah

Monsoon

Sivalinga

Shiva

Three Lines of the Universe

Giant Vampire Bats

Baboons in India

Snake Charmers

Giant Owls of India

Big Reptiles of India

Mutiny of 1857

Why Did It Have to Be Snake Surprise?

Giant Insects

Thuggees and Kali

Ripping Out SomeoneG+&s Heart and He DoesnG+&t Die

Drinking Blood

Zombies

Voodoo Dolls

Crocodiles

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Utah, 1912, and the Boy Scouts

Grave Robbers, Spanish Conquistadors, and the Cross of Coronado

Circus Trains and the Jones family

The Search for Facts, not Truth

Walter Donovan, American Nazi

The Holy Grail

The Rising Nazi Menace

The First Crusade

The Catacombs of Venice

Rats

Venice

The Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword

Book Burning

Zeppelins

The Birds in the Skies

Hatay

The Phantom II

The Temple of the Crescent Moon

The Third Brother

The Cups of Kings and Carpenters

Young Indiana Jones

My First Adventure: Lawrence of Arabia and The Curse of King Tut

Passion for Life: A Party in France, a Safari in Africa, a Romance in Vienna

Travels With Father: Three Writers, a Boy Genius, and a Famous Scientist

Spring Break Adventure: Prelude to War

Trenches of Hell: The Horrors of War

Phantom Train of Doom: At War in Africa

Attack of the Hawkmen: Working with the French Secret Service

Daredevils of the Desert: On the Edge of Africa

Treasure of the Peacock?s Eye: Dracula and the Eye of the Peacock

Winds of Change: Back in the USA

Hollywood Follies: Indy in Hollywood

Introduction

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Hovitos Temple and Golden Idol

Deadly Tarantulas

Gigantic Rolling Boulder

South American Indian Weapons: Poison Darts, Bows and Arrows

Archaeology

Real-life archeologists like Indiana Jones

Bullwhips

Fedoras

Leather Jackets

The Nazis and the Occult

The Ark of the Covenant

Staff of Ra

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.