Kevin Durant is a kid at heart when he's not busy being a basketball star. He is a 6-foot-9 forward with guard skills and a drive to be the best in whatever he does. That includes acting-Durrant starred in the movie Thunderstruck. He made such an impression in his one year at the University of Texas that he became the NBA's no. 2 draft pick. Before he was 25 years old, Durrant was a three-time NBA scoring champion and an Olympic gold medalist. He rates as one of the NBA's most popular players-you can catch him on Twitter-and goes out of his way to help those in need. Durrant is a superstar in every sense of the word.
Why do people climb Mount Everest? It is one of the most dangerous mountains in the world. Mountain climber George Mallory once said, "Because it's there." People climb Mount Everest for different reasons. Many of them want the thrill of standing on top of the world. Some want the fame it may bring them. For others, it is the final obstacle in a sort of competition. More than a few don't know why, they just know they want to reach the summit - even if it means putting their lives at risk. This is the story of these climbers and the mountain that beckons them.
Just 150 years ago, many people refused to believe that snow could be found near the equator in Africa. Today, the white peak of Kilimanjaro is recognizable to people around the world. Its three volcanic peaks tower above the surrounding grasslands, forming the largest mountain in Africa. Each year, more than 35,000 people challenge themselves to climb Kilimanjaro. They hope to stand on the glacier-capped summit, far above the clouds, and know they have persevered. In these pages, explore the natural and human history of this great mountain, and discover what it takes to reach the top.
Mount Fuji is the centerpiece of Japan's topography and its highest peak. It rises up out of the earth like an upside-down ice cream cone with its point sticking high up into the sky. For centuries, the sheer size of Mount Fuji has encouraged adventure seekers to scale its peaks. Today, thousands make the trek to the mountain's summit each year during the summer season. Mount Fuji isn't a peaceful giant, though. It is an active volcano and could erupt at any time. Scientists keep an eye on the seismic (earthquake) activity around Mount Fuji to make sure the people who live and visit there are kept safe.
Welcome to K2, the Savage Mountain-one of the most dangerous mountains in the world. For more than a century, climbers have trekked thousands of miles just to climb to the top of K2. Some have brought extra oxygen, while others have sent hundreds of porters ahead of them to put out lead ropes. Some have reached the top and survived; others have given their lives in the attempt. In this book, you will meet these climbers, including the mother who made it all the way to the peak, but not the trip down, and the man whose strength and sheer determination saved his team from certain death. Find out about what it is like to climb K2 and the people who cannot wait to reach "The Top of the World."
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, also known as "RG3," is not Superman, although he sometimes wears Superman socks. He has become one of the nation's most popular athletes. He set Texas state track records in high school when he wasn't dominating in football. Griffin won the Heisman Trophy while at Baylor University. He became the NFL's no. 2 overall draft pick by Washington, then won NFL offensive rookie of the year honors. In his spare time, Griffin does things for those less fortunate. He is a superstar in every sense of the word.
