“Victory or Death” — the famous and stirring words of William Barrett Travis were written in a letter from the Alamo to the people of Texas in February 1836. This and other brash and brave letters, first-hand accounts, and documents are skilfully deconstructed in this detailed examination of The Battle of the Alamo, a last stand that proved to be a turning point in Texas’ War of Independence from Mexico. Readers will learn about the events leading up to and after the battle, be able to separate fact from myth, and better understand the perspectives of both the Texans and Mexicans.
In the 19th Century, railroads were a form of transportation that changed the world. Transcontinental Railroads looks at the sweeping changes made to society and the challenges created by the building and running of these railroads in North America. Readers will be encouraged to critically analyze source material on why the railroads were built, who built them, and how they changed the movement of people and products. Topics include settlement and nation-building, as well as who gained through railroad building—and who lost.
An obsession for hundreds of years, the search for the fabled Northwest Passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific is a tale of ambition, fear, folktales, courage, and controversy. This engaging title reveals the motivations of the many countries and explorers who played a part in the almost 500-year search for a commercial sea route to India across the arctic. Primary and secondary source materials, such as oral histories of the Indigenous people and recorded accounts, are examined, as well as fictional accounts from popular culture of the many failed expeditions. Readers will gain an understanding of how important this quest was, as well as how it remains relevant today.
This interesting book examines the events and people who were involved in the War of 1812 between the United States and what would later become Canada. Unusal for a war, the conflict ended with friendly relations established and no major loss of territory for either country. However, an examination of primary and secondary source materials reveals the War of 1812 is remembered differently in each country, as well as by the Indigenous peoples whose territory and dreams of an independent nation east of the Mississippi River vanished.
Using speeches, photos, and paintings of the time, as well as material that addresses historical context, The Civil War guides readers in critically examining primary and secondary source materials. Discussions include how emerging technologies such as photography and the telegraph affected the messages being conveyed, and how ideologies of the era shaped what was seen, as well as whose voices were heard—and whose were not. Readers will gain an understanding of the sad and brutal aspects of a war whose echo continues to have an impact even today.
Follow the travels of Sir Walter Raleigh, the English explorer who attempted to create a colony in North America for England. His story is told in tabloid style, using interesting headlines and engaging fact boxes to describe his contact with Native peoples, such as the Roanoke, and his search for the mythical El Dorado—a “lost city” rich in gold.
Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, spent 25 of his 26 seasons in the NHL with one team: the Detroit Red Wings. One of the "Original Six," the Red Wings are revered for having 58 players inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, appearing numerous times in the playoffs, and winning 11 Stanley Cups. A fascinating read for fans of the team and the game, this book features appealing historic and contemporary images, and mixes informative text with quick-reference infographic charts for statistics buffs.
One of the first Europeans to settle South America, the story of Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa is detailed in this fascinating book. Topics include Balboa’s voyages, his interactions with indigenous peoples, his sighting of the Pacific Ocean—the first European to do so—and his eventual death by execution. Interesting fact boxes, colorful images, and engaging text is presented in tabloid-style to excite readers.
Arguably the most valuable franchise in the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs have proven that fans fuel the game—despite a much-lamented half-century Stanley Cup drought. This vibrant book tells the story of the Leafs’ 100 years of colorful coaches, irascible owners, and bruised and beloved players. The story of the Leafs gives a big-picture view of the importance of professional sports teams to the history and economy of a big city and a big sports league. Appealing historic and contemporary images mix with informative text and quick-reference infographic charts for statistics buffs.
This interesting book charts the travels of Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano. Searching for a sea route to the Pacific Ocean, he explored the Atlantic coast of North America. High-interest headlines, fact boxes, and images highlight Verrazzano’s exploration of New York Bay, Cape Cod Bay, the coast of Brazil, and his interactions with Native peoples.
This celebration of the Chicago Blackhawks, one of the revered "Original Six" NHL teams, provides a detailed history from their beginnings in 1926 through their six Stanley Cup wins, as well as various ownership and home rink changes. A fascinating read for fans of the team and the game, this book features appealing historic and contemporary images, and mixes informative text with quick-reference infographic charts for statistics buffs.
This book celebrates the winningest team in the NHL, the Montreal Canadiens. Founded as Le Club de Hockey Canadien in 1909, "the Habs" claim a league-leading 24 Stanley Cup championships and numerous player awards with more than 50 players in the Hockey Hall of Fame. A treat for hockey lovers and Habs fans, this book features appealing historic and contemporary images, and mixes informative text with quick-reference infographic charts for statistics buffs.
This timely title discusses the creation of the atom bomb and the post-World War II nuclear arms race that shaped the consciousness of generations. Primary and secondary source materials such as contemporary photos, speeches, letters, and newspaper accounts are examined, offering readers insight into a world reeling from years of conflict, and the competing political and social ideologies of the former Soviet Union and the United States and its allies. Topics covered include the Manhattan Project, the dropping of the first atomic bombs, and the escalation of the arms race, as well as nuclear treaties and the relevance to today’s nuclear threats.
Trekking from Africa to the Middle East and Asia, Ibn Battuta was one of the most well-traveled explorers of all time. He encountered many different cultural groups and recorded his interactions with them. Battuta’s writings influenced trade between peoples and became an important source of information about the medieval Islamic world. Engaging headlines, historic images, and fact boxes take readers through his amazing travels in a unique tabloid style.
Founded by a brash boxing promoter in 1926, the New York Rangers was the first U.S.-based NHL team to win the Stanley Cup. Packed with stories about quirky players, coaches, owners, and team rivalries, this book is a treat for hockey lovers and Rangers fans. Appealing historic and contemporary images mix with informative text and quick-reference infographic charts for statistics buffs.
Politically and socially, the decade from 1947 to 1956 marked an era of repression and fear. McCarthyism was a practice named for the blustery U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy. Known for his reckless and unsubstantiated accusations, he led a campaign to root out real and imagined “subversives” in American society. Packed with enlightening primary and secondary source material, McCarthyism and the Red Scare examines topical issues to help readers think critically about such concepts as freedom, Constitutional rights, blacklisting, and personal and state ideology.
Dit Clapper, Eddie Shore, Milt Scmidt, Johnny Bucyk, Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara—like most "Original Six" teams, the Boston Bruins’ roster has been packed with league-leading players for 93 years. A fascinating read for fans of the team and the game, this book features appealing historic and contemporary images, and mixes informative text with quick-reference infographic charts for statistics buffs.
This comprehensive title is a thought-provoking examination of how early gold rushes shaped settlement and industry in North America. Using material from the 1848 California Gold Rush, the 1896 Klondike Gold Rush, and other rushes in Georgia, Montana, and British Columbia, primary and secondary sources about these rushes are examined with respect to race and ethnicity, the displacement of Indigenous peoples, and different perspectives on law and order in the emerging West. Readers will be encouraged to think critically about labor and environmental practices, and the relationships between settlers and Indigenous people both in the past and today.
The important travels and writings of English explorer Mary Kingsley helped develop the British public's knowledge about the African continent. Her concern for indigenous people influenced a change in British practices in Africa. From her travels by boat to her studies of West African tribes and work as a nurse, this book describes her inspiring life using engaging fact boxes and historical information presented in tabloid-style.
Archaeologists are like detectives. They find objects from the past and treat them as clues to understanding what life was like long ago. This title aims to create meaningful connections between the scientific concepts readers learn in the classroom and how they are applied in the real world by archaeologists searching for answers.
What could be more exciting than the discovery of something that was hidden tens, hundreds, or even thousands of years ago? Readers will be amazed at the examples of hidden things revealed such as underground tunnels, abandoned towns, ancient cave paintings, and an emperor's lost tomb.
How does something enormous suddenly disappear? Readers will be amazed by how frequently large ships are lost without a trace. But sometimes it is just the crew that has disappeared. Get the facts on the Bermuda Triangle, the Mary Celeste, the Flying Dutchman, the Rosalie, USS Cyclops, and the lost ships of California’s Colorado desert.
Nazir, his father, and older brother live in Myanmar, a country that has experienced many years of violence. As a part of the Rohingya minority group, the family is considered unwelcome in their homeland. Nazir and his father flee by boat to a refugee camp, eventually escaping as refugees to the United States. Interspersed with facts about Myanmar and its people, this narrative tells a story common to many refugees fleeing the country. Readers will learn about the conflict there and how they can help refugees in their communities and around the world who are struggling to find permanent homes.
This high-interest title explores the history and lore behind ships and sites at sea around the world that are reported to be haunted. From disastrous voyages and missing ships to ghostly sailors and other creatures, narrative text weaves paranormal tales for readers. Historical records and eyewitness accounts are the evidence for the debunked or unexplained stories.
This high-interest title explores the history and lore behind castles and forts around the world that are reported to be haunted. Using a narrative style, the book tells the debunked and unexplained stories of paranormal occurrences in the castles of royals and the forts of armies. Readers will examine the historical records and eyewitness accounts of ghostly events, and evaluate the evidence.
