The Smart Quiz

My quiz book is now available for purchase at I-proclaim online bookstore. You can find the link at the bottom of this post. Thank you!

After intense contemplation where to submit my book for publication, I had decided to take the most convenient option of publishing it under Dorrance's subsidiary publication---I-proclaim press--with lesser financial obligation from me. This was my last option to see my book published and be available to international readers. 

Because I am targeting an international audience for this book I made an ambitious effort to send my query to international publishing, to my chagrin, some of these companies responded with horrifying subsidy fee agreement!waaaaah...and since I am only living in a paltry salary, the sky rocketing shared cost (to cover final editing, illustrations and promotions) was simply unthinkable at the moment. But there's one publishing company that really gave me several options to decide, apart from the email they sent, they  also sent me via airmail to review and consider some convenient options.

Dorrance Publishing is a reputable book publishing from Pennsylvania, USA and has been making business in publication (with several best-sellers) for a century now, their credibility, reputation and very professional approach made me to ponder hard on the options presented. But two of their subsidiaries still need huge amount to cover the deal...so I closed my eyes and select the third one, which never guarantee of anything, not even ISBN, except occasional profits, but I don't mind so as long as I got my wish to reach the international readers.

My book will be available at I-proclaim online book store and customers can place their order from this site (link at the bottom) either a traditional book (print) or e-book. You may order directly from me at a discounted price of $15.00. 

I-proclaim, a Dorrance Publishing subsidiary, is the most convenient option for authors (who have no budget for higher subsidy fees) who want to penetrate the international market or to establish a name in the writing field (for future writing career), it never guarantees a huge income (authors have an option to pull out the book from the I-proclaim book store circulation and move it to Dorrance publishing to be more profitable and to be transported to different book stores worldwide) as the author will only get an income through a commission per book if there are orders. But it is not an issue to me what I needed is just for my book to be available to international readers and gained from it (small amount is just enough because my purpose is just to build a name and reputation in the international market for my future writing works), the site sent me several techniques how to sell the book internationally and locally. I also plan to buy copies (traditional book version at author's price) soon, about four, to sell it locally. 

So what will you get from buying my book?

This is a smart quiz book with a unique platform, more like a reference book, unlike other quiz books available in the market today, this one is hugely different because categories are chosen based on its relevance and value to learning and, well, curiosity and the answer key is uniquely prepared in detailed explanation and vivid description. More than fun and entertainment, this book will provide significant information/additional knowledge to readers on various topics. The subjects here are well researched. I kept revising this book for the past two years while excruciatingly conducted a thorough research on each topic and answer.

CATEGORIES:
Beauty and Fashion
Famous Wars
European Queen Consorts
General Information
Geography and Landmarks
Monarchy
Religion
Science and Technology

To entice you to buy my book, here are some of the samples:

Question: If you have brand items like Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, what luxury product are you collecting?

A. Bag

B. Watch

C. Shoes

D. Car

Answer: B. Watch. Vacheron Constantin, Patek Phillipe and Audemars Piguet are all Swiss luxury watches and often considered as the top three Luxury Swiss watchmakers in the world.

Vacheron Constantin, originally established in 1735 by Jean-Marc Vacheron, is the very first watch company in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1819 watchmaker Vacheron partnered with French salesman, Francois Constantin. Vacheron Constantin’s Kallista watch is considered as the most expensive watch of all time with over 130 carats of certified emerald cut diamonds, it has a warranty of two years and valued almost US$10 million dollar today in auction. Famous people who wore Vacheron Constantin were Napoleon Bonaparte, Pope Pius XI, Edward VIII of England and US President Harry Truman. Today, this brand is part of the Richemont Group, a Swiss luxury fashion goods founded by African billionaire, Anton Rupert, in 1988.

Patek Phillipe is founded by Polish immigrant, Antoni Norbert Patek, and French watchmaker, Adrien Phillipe. In 1839, Patek started making pocket watches but it was not until 1845 that Phillipe joined him; they founded their company, Patek Phillipe & Company, in 1851. In 1933, Patek Philippe made history when they produced an ultra complicated pocket watch with 24-functions for Henry Graves, a wealthy American banker and avid watch collector. This watch was auctioned at Sotheby’s in December 1999 with a whooping US$11 million. In April 2008, Patek Philippe made another ground-breaking history when their “tour billon” wristwatch sold at Sotheby’s in Hongkong for US$1.49 million, making it the second most expensive modern watch after Vacheron Constantin’s Kallista. Famous wearers of Patek Philippe were Queen Victoria of England and her husband Prince Albert, King Christian IX of Denmark and his wife, Queen Louisse, King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and Pope Pius IX. PP & Co. is now operated by Philippe Stern and his son.

Audemars Piguet is another Swiss luxury watch said to be the direct competitor of Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe. This brand was founded by Jules Audemar, a dial maker, and Edouard Piget in 1875 at Vallee du Jura, Switzerland. During the late 19^th century, the company produced more than 1,000 time pieces including the very complex watches that attracted customers like Tiffany and Company, Cartier and Bulgari. Audemars Piguet launches the smallest minute repeater in the world, a complication in a clock that made to chime the hour when the button presses. Later on, the company produced the thinnest pocket watch in the world and the first skeleton watch. Though experienced a decline of sales in the 1920’s, Audemars Piguet made a remarkable come back during World War II through the production of their signature model-an ultra thin chronograph- a timepiece which features a timekeeping and a stop watch functions. This company is the manufacturer of the first luxury watch made from stainless steel called “Royal Oak watch”. 

Question: The controversial Schlieffen Plan was a German military strategy conceived in 1905 by Germany’s General staff, Count Alfred von Schlieffen, to allow the country to fight in a two-front war with an assurance of victory. It was implemented into action at the start of World War I by which famous German commander?

A. General Alexander von Kluck

B. General Karl von Bulow     

C. General Helmuth von Moltke

D. General Otto von Bismarck

Answer: C. General Helmuth von Moltke – He was born Helmuth Johann Ludwig von Moltke on May 25, 1848. He was also known as Moltke the younger to identify himself from his uncle, German General Chief of Staff, Count Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke, whom he replaced after its retirement in 1914. Schlieffen Plan was conceived in 1905, after the German Emperor, William II, was informed in 1904 that England and France signed a secret agreement called Entente Cordiale, expressing support to each other incase of European war. The Emperor is very much aware that France would support Russia as Germany has still an unresolved issue with France.

                                                                                                 

Sketching a worst scenario in emperor’s mind, his beloved country would possibly face a two-front war with the three great powers should the existing political tension in Western Europe will drag them into conflict. The emperor, who was a first cousin to England’s King, George V and Russia’s Empress Consort, Alexandra, asked his Field Marshal, Count Alfred von Schlieffen, to devise a strategic plan to allow Germany to fight in a two- front war with an assurance of victory. The plan was carried out by Moltke the younger, and took its effect at the start of the war, giving decisive victories to Central powers during the bloodiest encounters at the Battles of Verdun and Somme in France.

But Moltke modified some of the original contents of the plan and ignored the important reminder of Count Schlieffen to “keep the right flank strong”, eventually Moltke lost contact to his field commanders during the crucial encounter of the allies and the central powers at the Battle of Marne near Paris, France where the German armed forces committed its biggest tactical error. After hearing that the German army would be totally destroyed had the field commanders did not order them to retreat to Aisne river to re-group, General Moltke suffered a nervous breakdown, his emotional message to Emperor William II was “Your Majesty, we have lost the war”, he then retired and never heard again until the war ended on November 11, 1918.

Question: The LGT Banking Group is the largest family-owned private wealth and asset manager in Europe. Which European crown head owned this business?

A. Henri, the Grand duke of Luxembourg

B. Hans-Adam II, the sovereign Prince of Leichtenstein

C. Albert II, the sovereign Prince of Monaco

D. Carl XVI Gustav, King of Sweden

Answer: B. Hans-Adam II, the Sovereign Prince of Liechtenstein – LGT Banking Group is privately owned by Prince Hans-Adam II, the current head of the Royal House of Liechtenstein. It is the largest private wealth manager in Europe. According to the current listing of Forbes Magazine’s richest people, the Sovereign Prince, is one of the richest Heads of States in the world. Liechtenstein begins its history in 1719 when Johann Adams Andreas purchased the Lordship of Schellenberg and the County of Vaduz. This small territory, though remained independent, allied with the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary until its abolition in 1918, The sovereign state then entered into an agreement with Switzerland for their diplomatic relations to which pact still exists up to the present. In August 15, 2004, Prince Hans-Adams assigned some of the day-to-day activities of the palace to his eldest son, Prince Alois, the Hereditary Prince.


You can find more interesting trivia in the book..there are nine categories with 20 questions each..In the Geography/Landmarks section, I wrote the questions based on a travel- tour-guide scene so the readers could feel the actual world tour experience. In the European Queen Consorts category, I wrote each question in a first person format so that it would feel like you are actually talking to the Queen Consort face-to-face.

You can place your order now by clicking THIS LINK 


 Thank you!