Giving Western literature and art many of its most enduring themes and archetypes, Greek mythology and the gods and goddesses at its core are a fundamental part of the popular imagination. At the heart of Greek mythology are exciting stories of drama, action, and adventure featuring gods and goddesses, who, while physically superior to humans, share many of their weaknesses. Readers will be introduced to the many figures once believed to populate Mount Olympus as well as related concepts a...

Gods and goddesses—in human, animal, and other forms—were central to the ancient Egyptian way of life. Identified with the natural world, daily living, and the afterlife, they maintained order and prevented chaos from permeating the human world. The figures documented in ancient hieroglyphics are given dimension in this absorbing volume, which examines the characteristics and significance of many of the Egyptian gods and goddesses and also looks at related topics such as ancient symbols an...

While the ancient Roman pantheon in many ways resembles that of ancient Greece, there is much that sets apart Roman mythology. Romans also borrowed from the religions of ancient Egypt, Asia Minor, and the Middle East, and legendary figures such as Romulus and Remus, tied closely to the history of Rome, feature prominently in ancient stories. The major and lesser figures of Roman mythology are presented in this vibrant volume with sidebars spotlighting related facts and concepts about Roman...

With an eye toward the STEM disciplines, this book will excite anyone who is interested in the science of something that most of us take for granted: water. With straightforward and compelling language, this book teaches readers about the basic functions of the oceans and seas, the biodiversity in large bodies of water, how rivers, streams, and lakes work, and water management, among other details of the mechanics of water. This book will give readers a greater appreciation of this most ab...

This accessible, easy-to-follow book introduces readers to how and why animals behave in the mysterious ways they do. The straightforward text explains behaviors such as mating rituals and raising young, methods of hunting, which animals hibernate, which are nocturnal, and the social patterns of different species, among other things. The images are clear and perfectly illustrate the text, showing that animals and humans are not all that different. For the reader with a curiosity about natu...

This authoritative guide offers readers a comprehensive look into the world of anthropology and its related sciences. The book covers the essential areas of the field, including its history. The major branches of the field are also discussed, including cultural and social anthropology as well as archaeology. It also explores the study of the discipline around the world through urban, medical, and applied anthropology. This is a perfect resource for anyone interested in world cultures and t...

This comprehensive guide offers cinema enthusiasts everything they need to know about the history of film. The book covers the film industry’s most epic periods, including the early years of film starting in the 1830s, the silent years in the first quarter of the twentieth century, the preWorld War II sound era, the rise and fall of the Hollywood studios, and the transition into the twenty-first century. Along the way, readers learn about the most iconic films and directors from around the...

This title is an indispensable resource for those who are interested in the ways that small ideological groups can and have overthrown governments to further their political agendas. Spanning history, this resource looks at some of the most famous revolutionary groups, their beliefs, and the ways in which they achieved their goals. From national revolutions to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this book shows how revolutionaries have changed the world, for both good and evil.

This captivating book charts the upbringing, career development, and living legend status of one of the greatest baseball players today. After coming from humble beginnings in his native Venezuela, Cabrera signed with the Florida Marlins when he was just sixteen and made his major league debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at age twenty. He was twice named Most Valuable Player and twice played in the World Series. Finally, in 2014, he signed with the Detroit Tigers for a record 292 million...

This book, while satisfying the Common Core Curriculum in Measurement and Data, makes the world of chemical engineering accessible and entertaining. It teaches readers what chemical engineering is and why it’s so important in our daily lives, such as enabling solar panels to promote green energy and the creation of consumer products such as Post-It notes. Readers also learn how chemical engineering has helped in medicine, such as by advancing prosthetics. Finally, a chapter dedicated to a ...

A welcome edition for the digital age, this volume teaches young people how to do encyclopedia research in the traditional sense. Readers learn the basics of how to use an encylopedia, how to search for information both offline and online, and how to utilize their findings in school projects. They also learn how to do online research, and search tips and information on online citations are given. Finally, this volume lets readers test their research skills. Following the Common Core curric...

This accessible text explains to readers how the blue whale is endangered and what can be done about it. With an easy-to-follow narrative, readers learn what the blue whale is, where it lives, what its life is like, how it communicates, and most important, how to save it from becoming extinct. The text gives a thorough explanation of what the word endangered actually means and offers a clear explanation of how to save not only the blue whale but all species that are currently at risk.