In this true story of adventure, author Jack Nisbet re-creates the life and times of David Thompson—fur trader, explorer, surveyor, and mapmaker. From 1784 to 1812, Thompson explored western North America, and his field journals provide the earliest written accounts of the natural history and indigenous cultures of the what is now British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Thompson was the first person to chart the entire route of the Columbia river, and his wildern...

Swim through an ocean of facts and fun in Sharkabet, 2nd Edition, newly revised with updated facts and 9 brand new images that kids (and adults!) can sink their teeth into!Featuring Ray Troll's spectacular art, Sharkabet, 2nd Edition takes you through the ABCs of different shark varieties, both living and extinct, sharing fascinating and bizarre facts along the way. Colorful, eye-popping images accompany the catchy factoids, making this book a swi...

"A paleontological odyssey that manages to be informative, witty, educational— and enormous fun." — Simon Winchester, author of The Map That Changed the World, Krakatoa, and A Crack in the Edge of the WorldAn epoch tale of a scientist and an artist on the ultimate 5,000-mile paleo road trip.Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway follows the most unusual travels of a paleontologist and an artist as the...

In this long-awaited sequel Kirk Johnson and Ray Troll are back on a road trip—driving, flying, and boating their way from Baja, California to northern Alaska in search of the fossil secrets of North America's Pacific coast.They hunt for fossils, visit museums, meet scientists and paleonerds, and sleuth out untold stories of extinct worlds. As one of the oldest coasts on earth, the west coast is a rich ground for fossil discovery. Its wonders include extinct marine ...

**With rhythmic text and stunning artwork, this picture book celebrates the dynamic animals and habitats of the ocean, from shallow waters to ocean depths.Beloved Alaskan artist Ray Troll’s gorgeous scientifically accurate illustrations capture the imagination of young readers—for ages 5-9.**Dive into the dynamic habitat of the Earth’s one ocean and discover the many ways sea creatures move through their watery world, from kelp forest fish to swift hunters and long-distance...

Explore the world of fascinating prehistoric creatures that once roamed ancient Alaska. Packed with vibrant illustrations of dinosaurs by artist Ray Troll and lively text by paleontologist Kirk Johnson, this dynamic picture book is perfect for curious kids ages 8-12 and dinophiles of all ages.This engaging richly illustrated picture book is the perfect introduction to Alaska’s dinosaurs. It opens with an irresistible, jam-packed map of Alaska fossils, and then proc...

A definitive chronicle of the 1871 Chicago Fire as remembered by those who experienced it—from the author of Chicago and the American Literary Imagination.Over three days in October, 1871, much of Chicago, Illinois, was destroyed by one of the most legendary urban fires in history. Incorporated as a city in 1837, Chicago had grown at a breathtaking pace in the intervening decades—and much of the hastily-built city was made of wood. Starting in Catherine and...

Iceland is a country where stories are as important as history. When Vikings settled the island, they brought their tales with them. Every rock, hot spring and waterfall seems to have its own story. Cruel man-eating trolls rub shoulders with beautiful elves, whose homes are hidden from mortal view. Vengeful ghosts envy the living, seeking to drag lost loves into their graves – or they may simply demand a pinch of your snuff. Some of the stories in this collection are classic Icelandic tale...

For readers of Michio Kaku and Stephen Hawking, the book readers have acclaimed as "A mega-comprehensive outlook at intelligence as convincing as it is surprising" and "A truly breathtaking forecast on the future of intelligence."With the ongoing advancement of AI and other technologies, our world is becoming increasingly intelligent. From chatbots to innovations in brain-computer interfaces to the possibility of superintelligences leading to the Singularity later ...

"A breath of intellectual fresh air . . . [an] amusing look at how to dispel endemic pseudoscience and conspiracy theories through rational thinking." — Publishers WeeklyAliens. Ley lines. Water dowsing. Conspiracies and myths captivate imaginations and promise mystery and magic. Whether it's arguing about the moon landing hoax or a Frisbee-like Earth drifting through space, when held up to science and critical thinking, these ideas fall flat.In ...

"History writing at its best . . . teasing out extraordinary parallels between our current world and that of a century ago." —Tim Butcher, author of Blood RiverA pandemic has killed millions. Violent uprisings are tearing apart the Middle East. Nationalism is on the march in Europe. An unlikely candidate is running for president in the US on a populist platform to put "America first." The year is 1920.1920: A Year of Global Turmoil tells the...

From award-winning war reporter Damien Lewis, the untold story of the heroic hellraisers who stormed a Nazi fortress—in one of the most daring raids of World War II . . .Winter, 1944. Allied forces have liberated most of Axis-occupied Italy—with one crucial exception: the Nazi headquarters north of the Gothic Line. Heavily guarded and surrounded by rugged terrain, the mountain fortress is nearly impenetrable. But British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is determin...