Most Popular Books by Don Nardo

The ancient Greeks established modes of and attitudes about warfare that profoundly influenced later European and European-based peoples. Indeed, the triumph of Western civilization from Greco-Roman times to the present owes an incalculable debt to the Greeks. In fascinating detail, this volume covers Greek weapons, armor, battle formations and tactics, and naval warfare, supported by numerous eyewitness accounts of battles and other pivotal events.

This volume examines Greek mythology, drawing connections between ancient Greek culture and its myths. It explains how the beliefs, values, and experiences of that culture are represented in its treasured stories of gods, demi-gods, monsters, and heroes. This volume includes a map of ancient Greece, a family tree of the major gods, a table of major characters with name pronunciations and brief descriptions, a glossary, sidebars, fact boxes, a bibliography of sources for further study, and a subject index.

Zeus (ZOOS) is a name that many people today recognize. When someone asks, "Who was Zeus?" the answer is often something like, "Um, wasn''t he the leader of the Greek gods?" Another common response is, "He''s the dude who threw thunderbolts at people!" It is not surprising that at least this much about him is fairly well known. After all, images from Greek mythology are widespread in modern books, graphic novels, TV shows, and movies.Beyond that, however, most people today know very little about Zeus. This is also not surprising. More than sixteen centuries have passed since the Greeks and Romans actually worshiped him. (The Romans called him Jupiter, pronounced JU-puh-ter.) In those days, almost everyone was very familiar with the many stories about his deeds and adventures. Today, those tales are called myths. And their details are known to only to a small minority of the population. Those who do take the time to learn about Zeus and his exploits, however, are never disappointed. They find that he was not only one of the most important gods in human history. He was also an extremely colorful and entertaining character.

Discusses the September 11 Terrorist Attacks and an iconic photograph that captured the historic event.

The peoples of ancient Mesopotamia oversaw one of the major cradles of human civilization. The world''s first cities and empires grew on the plains of what is now Iraq. Some of the world''s first farmers worked land in what historians call the Fertile Crescent.

Biography of Barack Obama the 44th president of the United States.

The astronauts headed to the moon in December 1972 thought they knew what to expect. They would soon be exploring the moon''s surface in a lunar rover, traveling farther than anyone before them. They would be collecting soil and rock samples for study back on Earth and could expect to learn about the moon''s physical makeup and age. But what they didn''t expect came as a huge bonus. The astronauts of Apollo 17 would produce an amazing photograph of planet Earth a lonely globe floating in inky black space. Their stunning Blue Marble image was destined to become one of the most reproduced and recognizable photos in history. And no one is 100 percent sure who took it.

Intrigue your readers with one of the strangest events in American history. Mass hysteria struck colonial Massachusetts in 1692. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft and 20 were executed. Eventually, the colony admitted that the trials were a mistake, and it compensated the families of the members who were convicted of witchcraft.

A biography of Maya Angelou, poet, performer and activist.

"Chronicles the historic meeting of two railroad lines in 1869 that linked the U.S. transcontinental railroad and Andrew J. Russell''s famous photograph of the event"--

Discusses the significance behind each myth and compares it to modern-day quests and journeys.

Tycho Brahe was an eccentric Danish astronomer in the 1500s. Growing up in the wealthy home of his uncle, he was provided with the freedom to pursue his ambitions in life. While attending college, Tycho viewed a solar eclipse, which scholars had predicted would happen. He was fascinated that science could predict such phenomenal events, and he devoted much of his time to studying the heavens. Using modern instruments and techniques to measure the positions of the stars and the movements of the planets, Brahe revolutionized the way astronomers viewed the night sky.

Loved by the common people and his fellow soldiers, Caesar came to control the Roman Republic. But his opponents were steadfast in their struggle against him. The tale of Julius Caesar is filled with ambition, glory, and ultimately, tragedy.

Photos from the Hubble Space Telescope of what was thought to be empty space may provide information on the history of the universe.

Explores and analyzes the historical context and significance of the iconic Dorothea Lange photograph of a migrant mother during the Grea Depression.

Walt Disney was perhaps the greatest showman of the twentieth century. This fact-filled, moving biography traces his colorful life, from his humble beginnings in the American mid-West, to his single-handed transformation of the animated film, to his creation of a vast entertainment empire, to his incredible legacy.

Mathew Brady recognized that the new art of photography could be more than just a means of capturing people''s likenesses in portraits. Beginning with the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861 and continuing through the entire Civil War, Brady and his employees chronicled the long, bloody conflict, bringing images of war directly to the people. Brady knew the photos would create valuable historical records for later generations. More than any other photographer of his generation, Brady understood photography''s great potential and through his influence, he taught others to understand it as well.

"Every four years, the world celebrates one of the most exciting contributions of the Ancient Greeks: the Olympic Games. That, of course, is not all this great civilization left behind. From theater to democracy, discover how the Greeks'' ancient inventions and philosophies evolved into objects and ideas we know and treasure today"--

Discusses various Egyptian myths, including creation stories and histories of principal gods and goddesses, along with background information and discussion questions and answers.

Dating back about 4,000 years, Judaism is the worlds oldest monotheistic religion, meaning its followers worship only one god. It began at a time when people worshiped many gods. The worlds Jews have maintained their strong traditions and intense faith, even under severe oppression. Learn more about the rich history and traditions of Judaism and how the religion fits into todays world in Judaism, part of the World Religions series.

Describes women in ancient Greece through the Hellenistic age, including their legal rights and status, their home life, their roles in community activities, and their image in mythology, drama, and philosophy.

In simple but colorful terms, young readers are here introduced to one of the epic eras and realms of world history -- that of the Roman Empire. The volume tells how the first emperor, Augustus, came to power, how he and his successors controlled the masses through the army and public games, and how the Empire eventually fell to an onslaught of invaders.

Author Don Nardo and Consultant Editor Barbette Spaeth have compiled this volume that provides entries about various aspects of Greek and Roman mythology, grouped in the categories of rulers, heroes, and other human characters. Readers will learn about major and minor gods, animals, monsters, spirits, and forces. Entries cover important places and things, and major myth tellers and their works. Includes retellings of twelve myths.

Discusses the role of sports in the ancient Greek and Roman world, covering the Olympics, the glories of physical achievement, spectacle sports, horse and chariot racing, and leisure sports.

This must-have volume provides an overview of the rise and expansion of the Islamic Empire, Muslim conquests, and later dynasties and empires. Author Don Nardo presents a thorough and sensitive study of Islam''s past and present. Readers will learn about Muhammad and early Muslim conquests. They will learn about Islam''s golden age and its existence today. Full-color photographs, maps, illustrations, timelines, and sidebars support the text.

In this new biography by a noted classical historian, the life of the famous Egyptian queen is told in stunning detail. In addition to her relationships with the famous Roman generals Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, the book includes some fascinating facts about Cleopatra''s domestic achievements and personal life never before published in the young adult market.

Greek mythology has the strangest creatures, plucked from the most fertile imaginations in the history of storytelling. Discover figures half-human and half-goat, horrendous giants with 50 heads and 100 arms, and massive one-eyed brutes known as Cyclopes. See how fearless Greek mortals pitted their wits against the ugliest and most monstrous forms known to humans.

This fascinating volume focuses on the women''s movement, featuring quotations from sources such as diaries, public records, and contemporary chronicles. Author Don Nardo explains the ordeal of being an American woman in days without rights. He then details the long road to the ballot box, and the emergence of a new, powerful public woman. The gender equality struggle is richly chronicled here.

The Civil War is one of the most commonly studied topics in curriculum, but this book brings a fresh, interesting take. Bright illustrations, fast fact side bars, and a compelling narrative will enrapture your students. The epic struggle of the American Civil War witnessed the use of all the lethal tools of warfare then in existence. This well-documented narrative explores hand-held firearms, artillery, infantry and cavalry tactics, naval warfare, espionage and terror, and the effectiveness of the strategies of the two sides.

Everyone makes mistakes, but they''re not often on display for the whole world to see. These blunders in battle have gone down in history and will never be forgotten.

This book examines the life and art of Leonardo da Vinci.

In most ways, ancient Egyptian society and everyday life was significantly different than in modern Western counties. This information-packed but easy-to-read volume explores the privileged lives of the pharaohs and other noble Egyptians; how poor peasants worked both in the fields and on state building projects; sports and leisure activities of all classes; and religious attitudes and practices.

A look at the history of the U.S. Army and possible careers available there.

Discusses the triumphs and defeats of the Greek and Trojan heroes during the Trojan War and the destruction of Troy by combined Greek armies.

Presents the life of the sixteenth-century soldier, slave, actor, playwright, prisoner of the Spanish Inquisition, and author of "Don Quixote."

Discusses the development and ratification of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights and their influence around the world.

America experienced tremendous economic and social upheaval in this turbulent decade. Covered are the ravages of the Great Depression and how the outbreak of World War II in Europe affected the country, as well as how Americans went to the movies and entered dance marathons in an effort to forget their troubles.

A historical look at ancient Alexandria and its people, education, weather, transportation, hotels, shopping, festivals, sporting events, banks, government, and sightseeing.

Amazing facts about everyday life in ancient Greece.