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.
The Navajo people, who call themselves the Din, are the largest tribe of Native Americans in the United States. When they arrived from Canada, they settled in Colorado. In 1863, they were forced to march on the Long Walk to the Four Corners: Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Since then, their lives have changed dramatically. The Long Walk was a terrible chapter, but their history is one of strength and survival.
Drake was born with entertainment in his blood. His family loved music and he carried that love onto the stage. Today, Drake is a star on several levels. He is a famous face from his years on television, and a successful music artist. Even when a knee injury slowed him down, he got back up, got treatment, and got better, and returned to wow his fans one more time. Find out what led Drake to super stardom.
With lush rainforests and beautiful waterfalls, there are many sights to see in Brazil, the largest country in South America. The local cuisine is just as grand with recipes rich in fruits, vegetables and cocoa. Whether cooked in restaurants or at home, the heritage of immigrants who came to Brazil hundreds of years ago is found in these savory dishes that have been around for generations. If you can't make the trip to Brazil, don't worry-you can still enjoy some of the country's favorite dishes by taking a peek inside. From soups to salads and drinks to desserts, you can enjoy traditional Brazilian food right in your own home. Isn't your mouth watering already? Hurry up! It's time to cook!
The Underground Railroad was not a transportation system with metal tracks and whistling trains that zipped along a grid of tracks through tunnels below the ground. Instead, this system was an organized network of people who - in utmost secrecy - helped others escape the bonds of slavery. The routes to freedom were filled with danger, but the risks were worth it. Climb aboard to travel back in time and find out how this system of passengers, conductors, and stationmasters saved thousands of lives and helped change the nation.
The nightmare for enslaved Africans began on the Middle Passage - the journey across the ocean to America. Chained together by their hands and feet, the people were crammed into a ships dark belly, sometimes for weeks. When they arrived, they were sold at auction like so much cattle. Then, for generations, they faced bondage at the hands of cruel masters, forced to work sunup to sundown planting and harvesting crops, cleaning houses, or performing other tasks that would boost the white mans profits. Refused basic civil rights and often torn from their families, the slaves looked for ways to find freedom and better their lives. Flight was risky, even with the help of the Underground Railroad. For many, it was the only option.
Free at last! Hopeful African Americans began the long journey to build their lives from scratch as U.S. law declared all slaves free in 1865. But many whites fought bitterly against change. Signs above water fountains, restrooms, and other public places clearly separated WHITES from COLOREDS, while the Ku Klux Klan terrorized the night. Leaders like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, A. Philip Randolph, and Martin Luther King, Jr. stood up to the ugly reality of racism in America. Laws and hearts slowly changed to make the American Dream a possibility for all of its citizens. Today, the United States celebrates the rich history, music, and art of the black community. But with holdovers of hatred, pride, and prejudice, has the country achieved true equality?
When European explorers came to the New World, one of the first tribes of Native Americans they encountered was the Lenape. Also called the Delaware Indians, these people were respected by their neighbors, bound by family, and lived in harmony with their natural world. This is their story of their fascinating way of life, nearly lost to the settlers from across the sea.
The Cherokees lived primarily in the southeastern United States as farmers and hunters. As white settlers pushed deeper and deeper onto their lands, the Cherokees signed numerous treaties that surrendered more of their land in exchange for the right to live peacefully. The Cherokees even embraced many white ways, such as writing a constitution based on the U.S. Constitution and creating an alphabet, in an attempt to blend in. However, nothing they did was ever enough, and all their efforts finally led to one shattering conclusion: the Trail of Tears.
Comanche. The very word itself sent shivers down the backs of white settlers and other Native American tribes alike. The Comanches were the most feared tribe on the Southern Great Plains. They were superb horsemen and fierce fighters, and the combination was virtually unbeatable. For years, the Comanches held dominance over a vast area of territory called Comancheria. No one dared venture into Comancheria. Those who did seldom returned. Who were the Comanches? Where did they come from? What was life like in a Comanche camp, for both the Comanches and their captives? What happened to break their grip on Comancheria? The answers to these and other questions are both surprising and fascinating.
Most of the people who worked on the Underground Railroad were not well-known, but many stood out and became famous. The workers came from different races, occupations, and all walks of life. Some spread the word about the injustice of slavery through writing or lectures. Some volunteered behind the scenes, sewing clothes and donating goods to help the runaways. Others risked their lives daily, leading fugitives through swamps and forests and past slave catchers to freedom. Those who were caught were fined, jailed, or even executed. But they did not give up until freedom was won for all.
With the sole exception of the Sioux, the Cheyenne are perhaps the best known of all the Plains Indians. Famous for their fearless fighting qualities, the fought a series of unforgettable battles with the U.S. Army and white settlers seeking to seize their lands and alter their lifestyles. From 1856 to 1979, they met the white interloper with unparalleled horsemanship and a fighting ferocity rarely recorded in American military annals before or since. Against the irrepressible surge of Americas westward expansion in the 1800s, Cheyenne warriors fought and died for the land they loved. They claimed a place in history at the Powder River, the Rosebud, and the Little Big Horn. In the end, they lost their lands, but they went down fighting. They were and are vastly deserving of their nickname, the Fighting Cheyennes.
Mexico is home to pyramids and bullfighting, volcanoes and monarch butterflies. Best of all, it is home to an incredible variety of delicious food. From the juicy goodness of corn on the cob and the pop of hot peppers to the crunch of the hard taco shell and the summer freshness of salsa, there is something for everyone's appetite. Find out how to make these wonderful dishes in your own kitchen with just a few ingredients, some time-and a passion for learning how to mix, cook, and eat new foods! Welcome to the food of Mexico.
Puerto Rico is a land of lush green mountains, colorful flowers, white sand beaches, and an aqua blue tropical ocean. Along with its incredible beauty, it's also a land of fresh and flavorful cuisine. Take a culinary tour of this Caribbean paradise by making the recipes in this book. You can taste some of the island's favorites for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert. Along the way, you'll learn a little about Puerto Rico's history, culture, and people. Hop inside and let's get cooking!
Cuba is a country filled with sunshine, fruit, and people who work hard to provide for their families. Life has not been easy for the Cuban people. Spain once owned their country. Cuba has also operated as a Communist state for decades. Sometimes food and other supplies are scarce. Today, Cuba is a place with people who know how to survive. They accept other cultures and love to have fun! Over the years, Cubans have created wonderful recipes that reflect their lifestyles and heritage. Read how they combine simple ingredients to create delicious dishes you can make in your own kitchen! Hay que inventar!
Sitting Bull had a vision of a great Sioux victory, but would he live to see it? Crazy Horse had an almost mythical ability to avoid death, but would it last? These were two of the greatest chiefs of the Sioux Nation, a mighty Native American people who once ruled the plains and prairies between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Lakes. The Sioux were great warriors and buffalo hunters. They were master horsemen who roamed the country living in teepees and keeping up with buffalo herds. They fought the U. S. government to keep their land and way of life. Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse led a historic victory over General George Custer in the Battle of the Little Bighorn before they were eventually beaten and driven into reservations. The Massacre at Wounded Knee ended the Sioux's dream of returning to their old way of life, but not their desire to be free. This is their story.
Guatemala is a beautiful country with lush green rainforests, active volcanoes, and beautiful white sand beaches surrounded by swaying palms. This country is home to the Maya people and was explored and settled by the Spanish in the early 1500s. Guatemalan cuisine is a blend of the cultures of all the people who have lived there. Many of the dishes have the same names as those you'd find in other Latin American countries, but they are made with a unique Guatemalan flare. Come and explore the beautiful country of Guatemala and its delicious food. You'll be glad you did!
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.
The Nez Perce were once the largest group of Native Americans in the western United States. Their number once exceeded 6,000 in over 50 separate tribes. Except for occasional clashes with neighbors, the Nez Perce lived peacefully in lush homelands on the Snake River in central Idaho, western Oregon, and western Washington. They welcomed Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery in 1804. The Nez Perce coexisted peacefully with whites for decades. However, a series of treaties in the mid-1800s greatly reduced their territory to make room for white settlers. In 1877, federal authorities ordered all Nez Perce to move within the boundaries of a reservation. A handful of Nez Perce warriors attacked and killed some white settlers in protest. Their hostile acts led to the Nez Perce War of 1877 and changed the lives of the Nez Perce forever.
Long before The United States was formed, the original American lived here caring for the land from coast to coast. Learn who some of these Native Americans were, how they thrived with their own cultures and beliefs, and why they continue to influence not just their descendants, but all of us who understand the importance of remembering those who were here long before us.
What is it like to live in a world of snow and ice? What traditions do the Inuit have today that they developed long ago? Travel into the past, into a world of igloos and frozen tundra. Stand next to a hole in the ice and wait patiently for a seal to appear. Climb into a boat and help others track down a whale. Finally, stop to visit the unique city of Nunavut and learn how the Inuit people have managed to blend their rich past with the present.
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.
Before they were the Iroquois, they were six separate nations involved in bloody battles. The Peacemaker and Hiawatha changed all of that by encouraging the nations to bury their weapons and live peacefully. Under the Peacemakers guidance, the Iroquois formed one of the most respected, and oldest, governments in the worldthe Iroquois Confederacy. It was an alliance between the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and later, the Tuscarora. Learn how the Iroquois organized and ran their government, controlled fur trade, fought in a war that put the strength of the Confederacy and its land at risk, and continued to preserve their culture, including religious practices, celebrations, and ceremonies, for over a thousand years.
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."
