The Boy's Own Book

First published in Boston in 1829, this book is a guide for boys' entertainment from the days before radio, movies, and television. This boook is chock-ful of great advice on many "minor sports and pastimes," including swimming, fishing, and archery, as well as invaluable how-to instructions on everything from learning sign language, to making a pea-shooter, or a kite, or a kaleidoscope. There are math, logic, and word games, science experiments, card tricks, and even strategies for winning checkers.