Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, made up of more than 17,000 islands, with lush rain forests, mountainous interiors, mangrove forests, rich coral reefs, and sandy beaches. Read all about the country's land and resources, the environmental challenges it faces, and the impact of colonization by Europeans, as well as daily life and culture for people across Indonesia. Free downloadable Teacher's Notes.
Dominated by the mighty Alps and sharing borders with five different countries, Switzerland is known for its beautiful landscapes and multicultural society. Read all about the country's land and resources, the population-dense central plateau, and its early settlement, as well as daily life and culture today for people across Switzerland. Free downloadable Teacher's Notes.
Cuba, an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea, is a top tourist destination due to its subtropical climate and beautiful coastline. Read all about the country's land and resources, its complicated political history, and the impact of colonization by Europeans, as well as daily life and culture today for people across Cuba. Free downloadable Teacher's Notes.
As the fifth-largest country in the world, Brazil's landscapes range from the famous Amazon rain forest to biodiverse mangroves, flat grasslands, and mountain ranges. Read all about the country's land and resources, how Indigenous peoples live, and the impact of colonization by Europeans, as well as daily life and culture today for people across Brazil. Free downloadable Teacher's Notes.
From its roots in ancient Greece to its revitalization in the Age of Enlightenment and beyond, democracy as a form of government has changed over time. Find out what threats democracy faces today, and how it is a process that requires constant upkeep and renewal.
When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in 2020, nearly every country in the world went into some form of lockdown. Yet each was different. With fascinating images and informative text, this book looks at the rules and restrictions people lived under and how they affected work, school, commerce, and daily life. A detailed final chapter examines the success and failures of lockdown and how countries could approach future pandemics.
When people boarded the Diamond Princess cruise ship in February 2020, they had no idea their luxury vacation would turn into a nightmare of quarantine, sickness, and death. Using real examples of living through the pandemic, this fascinating book gives an overall inside look at how much changed and how quickly during COVID-19--the first major pandemic since 1918. A useful timeline will help readers keep track of the major events during the pandemic.
The ultimate military society is explored in this book on the ancient Spartan civilization. From training methods to the famed Battle of Thermopylae, the heroics and failures of Sparta are uncovered.
For thousands of years, women in many cultures were excluded from or limited in education. This meant that others told their stories for them. This fascinating book shines a light on women writers who broke that mold. These women wrote some of the most intriguing stories ever written, such as Murasaki Shikibu, who wrote the world’s first novel, and Olympe de Gouges, whose political essays helped spark the French Revolution.
There were many real-life female fighters who wowed the ancient and modern worlds with their bravery and skills. This exciting book dives into the history of women who bravely fought—some to the death! Read about Cynane, the half-sister of Alexander the Great, who became the super-slayer of the ancient Greeks, and the rebel fighters Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, who repelled a stronger army and ruled Vietnam for three years.
Did you know the first recorded chemist in history was a woman? Tapputi-Belatekallim lived about 1200 BCE and was the head perfumer for the King of Babylon—a big deal in ancient times when perfume was used in medicine and important ceremonies. This informative book offers an overview of the amazing, and often hidden or forgotten achievements of women in science, who developed vaccines and cancer treatments, and unlocked the secrets of nuclear power and DNA—the building blocks of life.
Ruling queens and politicians are not unusual today, but the stories of their ancestors are often lost in time. This amazing book brings the remarkable lives of ruling women to light, examining the historic evidence that women have always been great and powerful leaders. Discover rulers throughout history, from the most powerful women in Europe, such as Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife to one king and mother to two others, to Mandukhai Katan, Mongol ruler and “second Ghenghis Khan.”
We’ve all heard of Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison, but very few female inventors are household names. This fascinating book illuminates the history of women who used their brainpower and skills to produce important items we use ever day. Meet Hedy LaMarr, a famous Hollywood actress by day and inventor of a radio guidance system for torpedos by night. Marvel at the cleverness of Ng Mui, who developed the martial art known as Wing Chun, which later developed into kung fu.
There’s no doubt that women have always been a part of journeys of discovery, from Viking women crossing the ocean to new lands to trade caravans bringing goods through Africa. But there is slim mention of them in most history books. This exciting book digs up the history of the bold women who dared to travel all over the world, including multilingual Isabelle Eberhardt, who “obeyed her destiny” and traveled through the Algerian desert dressed as a man, and adventurous aviatrix Bessie Coleman, the first African-American woman to hold a pilot’s license.
In this age of fast-paced social media, news and views are shared throughout the world in seconds. This timely title critically examines the elements of journalism, truth and perspective, sources of news, as well as bias and objectivity to help readers make informed choices about the accuracy of news and information. Readers will gain an understanding of what journalism is and how the medium can shape the message being presented.
The contributions to arts and culture by early Islamic empires is considerable. This book explores their great works of literature, as well as such artistic works as Arabesque art, calligraphy, mosques and tombs, palaces, weaving, textiles, metalware, pottery, carvings and molded plaster, and glassware.
This fascinating title chronicles the U.S. bombing of these Japanese cities during World War II. Topics include the development of the atomic bomb, Truman's decision to drop the bombs, and the long-term consequences of this historical event. Primary source accounts present reactions from both sides.
The forced removal of the Cherokee from their land changed not only the lives of the Native people, but also the course of American history. This gripping title examines the events leading up to the removal of the Cherokee from their native lands, the suffering endured on the Trail of Tears, and the struggles they faced once reaching their new land in present-day Oklahoma. The book also includes information about the Cherokee nation today.
In 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter discovered King Tutankhamen's tomb. In addition to unearthing astonishing artifacts, Carters discovery revealed fascinating details about King Tut's life and provided insight into ancient Egyptian culture. Engaging, approachable text and vivid images take readers inside the pharaoh's tomb as they discover ancient treasures and learn how such artifacts shed light on King Tuts reign, his family's dynasty, the mystery surrounding his death, and the theories of King Tut's curse
This engaging title begins with a recount of the events of October 29, 1929, better known as Black Thursday, to mark the dawn of the Great Depression era. Readers will discover the causes of the depression, its affect on people across North America, and how governments responded to it. Readers will also draw comparisons to modern-day economic trials.
This captivating title examines the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii in 79 A.D. and what the remnants of this buried city can teach us today.
This modern-day pirate tale details the recent hijacking and daring rescue of the Maersk Alabama and places its gripping story in context with the evolution of piracy on the high seas.
In 1692, two young girls in Salem, Massachusetts, were diagnosed by the local doctor as being bewitched. Hysteria over witchcraft reached a fever pitch leading the Puritan townsfolk to accuse friends and neighbors of being under Satan's influence. This book tells the unbelievable, yet true, story of how innocent people were jailed on the evidence of dreams and visions, and how the legal system allowed nineteen people to be hanged before the governor of the state brought the people of Salem to their senses.
Mountaineer George Mallory disappeared attempting to conquer the highest peak in the world. Seventy-five years later, Mallory's body was finally found on Everest. This exciting book describes how his quest began an obsession by other climbers to be the first to the top, and how Everest has become a magnet for amateurs and tourists since it was finally conquered by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.
The robots of today do more than just heavy lifting. Machines that can sense the world and make decisions are now being used in space, industry, medicine, and the military. This adventurous book follows the development of robots over the past century and describes how modern robots continue to revolutionize different fields making our lives easier, healthier, safer and more exciting.
