A German composer born in the 1700s, Ludwig van Beethoven has given the world some of the most well-known and long-lasting music of all time. From his Fr Elise to his 9th Symphony (in which a choir sings words from the poem Ode to Joy), Beethoven's music is still loved, almost 200 years after his death. Amazingly, Beethoven composed music while being unable to hear almost anything from the time he was 26, a feat which makes his brilliant compositions all the more wonderful. Few musicians have had the incredible impact on music that Beethoven had. Learn the story of one of the most important musical composers of all time in Ludwig van Beethoven: Great Composer.
A painter, poet, sculptor, and more, Michelangelo was one of the most important artists that ever lived. Many of Michelangelo's works are among the most famous in the world, visited by tourists from around the world every day. His painting in the Sistine Chapel in Rome has impressed and inspired people for centuries. His sculpture David is known around the globe. Learn the story of one of the most important artists of all time in Michelangelo: Renaissance Artist.
During his career as a professional wrestler, Dwayne The Rock Johnson thrilled wrestling fans everywhere. Known as the People's Champion, the Rock was a wrestling superstar whose dynamic and colorful personality attracted attention both inside and outside the ring. His feuds with other wrestling greats resulted in some of the most talked-about matches in wrestling history. He became the first African American to hold the World Wrestling Entertainment World Championship title, one he went on to capture six more times. This book describes how Dwayne Johnson, the son and grandson of professional wrestlers, became the Rock and, in his own words, the most electrifying man in sports entertainment. It details his failed ambition to become a professional football player and how that failure led him into the family business of wrestling. Eventually, the Rock built a successful wrestling career, and ultimately became a movie star as well.
In 1993, when two young, unknown actors named Matt Damon and Ben Affleck couldn't get the movie parts they wanted, the lifelong friends decided to write their own screenplay. To their surprise, Good Will Hunting, a story about a blue-collar math whiz, became a box office hit after it premiered in 1997. It won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, and Matt became one of the hottest young actors in Hollywood. Since then, Matt has starred in many memorable films, such as Saving Private Ryan, The Departed, and Invictus. One of his most successful roles is that of assassin Jason Bourne, a character he played in three hit films. Matt likes to keep his personal life private. However, he doesn't hesitate to use his celebrity to help others. Among the groups he supports are the ONE Campaign and H2O Africa Foundation, which are charitable organizations working to improve living conditions in Africa.
Adam Sandler is one of the world's most popular actors, and is known for his wildly creative sense of humor, which launched him to television and film stardom. He first became famous as a cast member on Saturday Night Live during the early 1990s. Fans loved the wacky characters Sandler created on the show, such as Cajun Man and Operaman. They were also impressed with the bravery he showed by being willing to do anything to make people laugh. Sandler used that same comedic genius to become a star in movies such as The Waterboy, Big Daddy, and Grown Ups. He has also made films like Reign Over Me, which show he is a fine dramatic actor. And Sandler not only acts in movies but also makes them. He started Happy Madison Productions so he could create films that reflect his unique sense of what is funny.
You may turn on the CD player or the radio when you want to hear music, but once, in the days before modern technology, music was enjoyed whenever groups of people got together. You probably know some folk songs, a song that was passed along from person to person. Learn about: types of folk songs; folk instruments; folk music's European and African roots; Cajun music; the music of Appalachia; Hispanic music; and today's folk music. Modern music - Rock, Country, R&B, and more - is rooted deep in North Americas musical folklore. And folk music is still alive and well today.
A patchwork quilt . . . a handmade mandolin . . . a rag doll . . . a wooden chair - all these things are examples of folk arts and crafts. They are useful objects that are also beautiful. Learn about various kinds of folk art, including: furniture; toys; religious objects; musical instruments; and quilts, clothes, and other fabric arts. In folk traditions, art is a part of everyday life. And people still enjoy folk art today.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the worlds best-known composers, began playing music at a very early age and became a professional musician when he was only 17. He went on to compose hundreds of pieces of music - many of which are among the most famous in musical history - and influenced composer Ludwig van Beethoven. More than 200 years after his death, Mozart's music is still among the most respected and beloved in the world. Learn the story of one of the most important composers of all time in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: World-Famous Composer.
Few writers have had nearly the same effect on the English language as William Shakespeare. His plays and poems have been popular around the world for hundreds of years, long after Shakespeare himself had died. From Romeo & Juliet to Hamlet, Shakespeare wrote some of the most famous comedies and tragedies in history, stories both hilarious and horrible. Learn the story of one of the most important writers of all time in William Shakespeare: Great English Playwright & Poet.
French painter Paul Gauguin may not have been appreciated while he was alive, but his work later inspired many of the worlds most famous artists, including Pablo Picasso. In the century since his death, Gauguin's work has become better known and more respected. He is famous for his use of color and unique style. Gauguin's work set him apart from other French painters of his time and helped to establish the style of Symbolism. Learn the story of one of the most influential artists of all time in Paul Gauguin: 18th-Century French Painter.
Known for his art, inventions, and ideas, Leonardo da Vinci is the definition of a Renaissance Man, someone able to succeed in many different areas. Da Vinci's Mona Lisa and The Last Supper are two of the most famous paintings in history. His sketches of inventions and the human body have stayed in the minds of people for hundreds of years. Da Vinci's work and ideas have lived on long after he died, inspiring creative people in the modern world to reach new heights. Learn the story of one of the most important artists of all time in Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance Painter.
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous and influential painters who ever lived. His work and the dramatic story of his life have captured the minds of people from around the world for more than a century, inspiring artists and art fans alike. Few artists have had the kind of impact on their art that Vincent van Gogh has had on modern painting. Learn the story of one of the most important artists of all time in Vincent van Gogh: Modern Artist.
People who make clothes need to get their numbers right. From the length of fabric to the size of a pair of jeans, math plays an important role in the fashion industry. In Fashion Math, you'll learn some of the ways the math you learn in the classroom is important on the catwalk. You may even want to use that math to try your hand at making your own clothes!
