The modern period of history is often considered to have begun with the Renaissance, one of the rare periods of genius in the world's history. This volume traces the Renaissance from its beginnings in Italy in the fourteenth century to its spread across the rest of Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Along with the rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman writing, the Renaissance represented a new age in the fields of science, literature,...

Anthropologists, scientists who study humans and their ways of life, are continually finding and interpreting artifacts left by our earliest ancestors. They have helped us understand our origins as well as the intriguing cultures that developed as humans spread across Earth. This volume is a concise introduction to this diverse and fascinating field. Readers will learn of the various branches of anthropology, including archaeology and biological anthropology,...

Young readers who may be unfamiliar with Rosa Parks will be inspired by this biography of the American hero and her part in sparking the Civil Rights Movement. Valuable historical information is provided as context for understanding the conditions African Americans were forced to endure before Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus. Parks continued to serve as a civil rights leader for the rest of her life, making sure her struggles...

Planes, trains, and automobiles-these are just some of the many achievements of mechanical engineering. This volume will show readers that they do not have to know complex equations to appreciate the impact the field has had on the world. Accessible text introduces young readers to the machines and engines that power the devices, vehicles, and appliances they encounter on a daily basis. Boxes explain important terms and concepts of mechanics and encourage...

Much myth has been made in subsequent centuries over the nomadic Mongols, who, under the unified leadership of the khan, established a massive empire spanning the Asian continent in the 13th century. This title follows the life of Genghis Khan, from humble beginnings through his rise to power and, ultimately, the transfer of his authority to mighty successors such as Kublai Khan. The reader will glean key points of interest, from the Golden Horde...

Given the vastness of the universe, it is not difficult to imagine the possibility of life-even intelligent life-beyond Earth. Yet whether any extraterrestrial beings have ever made contact with us and if any evidence of this contact exists, remains widely debated. Evaluating tales of alien encounters and UFO sightings with a critical eye, this absorbing volume considers the possibility of extraterrestrial life by carefully separating scientific fact...

A V-shaped flock of geese flying overhead on a fall or winter's day is a familiar sight to most of us. But, as this vibrant volume shows, there are numerous other animals that also migrate for various lengths of time and for various reasons. Colorful photographs allow readers to follow birds, zebras, whales, turtles, and more as they migrate to find food, shelter, breeding grounds, or more suitable climates. Readers will learn how air, land, and water...

The crustacean subphylum can be broken down into decapods, amphipods, copepods, and other types. This title offers readers from grades one through four comparisons between the needs and roles of different crustaceans, which will allow readers to understand the subphylum's importance. Readers will recognize and expand their knowledge about familiar species like the lobster and the shrimp, while being introduced to the likes of the wood louse and zooplankton....