Most Popular Books by Don Nardo

Discusses the history of the Assyrian Empire, including its early people, the rise of the Assyrian nation, its rebirth, the empire at its height, and the nation''s collapse.

Describes what life was like in ancient Egypt, examining the family, home life, food and drink, women''s roles, childhood, education, arts, literacy, means of communication, slavery religious beliefs, and more.

In the 1760s, British colonists in North America grew increasingly angry about taxes they felt were unfair. The Sons of Liberty was the result of this anger. The group''s motto was No taxation without representation. Starting with just a handful of members, the group soon grew to more than 2,000. The Sons of Liberty organized protests as well as boycotts against taxed products with the hope the British government would repeal the taxes. But in time it became clear the only option the colonists had was war, the Revolutionary War.

Explores the history and culture of Ancient Mesopotamia. Eye-catching photos, fascinating sidebars, and a "Contributions" special feature guide readers through the rise and fall of this great civilization, focusing on the people and accomplishments that made it unique.

The Bubonic Plague terrorized Europe and North Africa in the 14th century, killing millions of people. Readers learn many fascinating facts about what became known as the “Black Death.” They discover that the cause of the disease was unknown for most of the epidemic, and many unlikely things were blamed, including bad smells and occult rituals. Detailed sidebars and a comprehensive timeline augment the compelling text as it examines how the disastrous events of the plague were exacerbated by people’s ignorance of scientific facts.

This volume looks at Babylonian Mythology, drawing connections between ancient Babylonian culture and its myths, explaining how the beliefs, values, and experiences of that culture are represented in its treasured stories. Readers are treated to a map of ancient Mesopotamia, a family tree of the major gods, a table of major characters with name pronunciations with brief descriptions, sidebars, and fact boxes.

Contents printed back-to-back and inverted.

We celebrate the Ancient Romans for contributions they made to modern engineering and architecture, but their impact is felt in even the smallest details of everyday life. Discover how inventions like socks, fast food restaurants, and movie theaters got their start in Ancient Rome and evolved into things we enjoy today.

In this pivotal decade, the United States underwent the ordeal of total war as it entered and won World War II. The conflict ended with the dawn of the atomic age and the last years of the decade witnessed the stirrings of the Cold War. Meanwhile, popular music, including the big band craze, and the advent of television supplied a needed distraction to increasing numbers of people.

What was life really like for everyday people in Ancient Egypt? In this detailed exploration of daily life in one of history''s greatest civilizations, readers will use primary sources and information from archeological discoveries to discover fascinating insights and debunk popular myths. Immersive timelines, maps and references to important people and events will bring children on a time-traveling journey through Ancient Egypt.

Discusses the forced relocation of American Indian tribes by the American government, resulting in tribal warfare, broken treaties, and the brutal march known as the Trail of Tears.

What was life really like for everyday people in the Islamic Golden Age? In this detailed exploration of daily life in one of history''s greatest civilizations, readers will use primary sources and information from archeological discoveries to discover fascinating insights and debunk popular myths. Immersive timelines, maps and references to important people and events will bring children on a time-traveling journey through the ancient Islamic world.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt--the longest serving president in U.S. history--successfully guided Americans through two of the worst crises ever. He succeeded where others had failed in pulling the country back from the brink of collapse during the Great Depression. He lifted Americans'' spirits and turned them away from fear and defeatism. Then came the horrors and devastation of World War II. The brilliant and courageous Roosevelt proved to be an outstanding commander in chief, leading the world to victory over the powers of evil.

Discusses the daily life of ancient Romans including their families, homes, occupations, education, and methods of worship.

Science.

Recounts events leading up to the Civil War and provides insight into the economic, cultural, and educational differences of the Northerners and Southerners.

The myths of Aeneas, Romulus and Remus, the Six Brave Brothers, Horatius, Coriolanus and Volumnia, Cloelia, and others are explored. Hero myths and the values they represented are explored. This volume has a map of the Roman Empire, a family tree of Rome''s founders, 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.

Through his specialized techniques and unique style, this photographer became famous for his photos of presidents, generals, and bloody battles fought during the Civil War.

An introduction to the energy of motion.

In the fabulous annals of ancient Greek mythology, few characters were as famous as Jason (JAY-sin). He appears in several myths. But his most renowned deed was finding the Golden Fleece. That gleaming hide of a special, magical ram long rested in Colchis, a remote land located on the Black Sea''s northern coast. Jason and the men who accompanied him on his quest became known as the Argonauts. This was because their ship was the Argo, named after Argus (AR-gis), the man who built her. In the ancient Greeks'' eyes, Jason''s epic voyage to find the Fleece was a heroic act of the highest order. So he joined the ranks of the heroes, a small number of unusually brave and daring men celebrated in the Greek myths. They were larger-than-life individuals who took on tasks that most other people lacked the courage and skill to face. Heroes'' deeds "often had vital effects on human lives," modern myth-teller Philip Wilkinson writes. They "founded tribes and cities, killed monsters, and provided the necessities of life."In this retelling, author Don Nardo brings the magic of Jason to young readers.

After the first shots of the Civil War were fired in 1861, both sides thought victory would come quickly. But they were wrong. Battle followed battle, and the death toll climbed. The North and the South were unprepared for the long bloody conflict ahead. Then the two armies met at Gettysburg, a battle that would change the course of history.

The U.S. Navy is the largest and strongest naval force in the world. Its sailors serve all around the world in many types of jobs. In 2011 a Navy unit made history. A group of highly trained commandos, the Navy SEALS, brought down terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden.

Describes the origins of the most important Greek myths along with the personalities and special powers of the major Greek gods and goddesses.

Describes the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, a major victory in America''s bid for independence from Britain.

An introduction to hurricanes including how and why they form.

Explores the theory of evolution, from before Darwin to the present day.

Genghis Khan was a warrior and ruler of genius who, in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, brought the nomadic tribes of Mongolia together under his rule and then turned his attention beyond his borders. This volume chronicles the history of the ancient people of the steppes, the rise of Genghis Khan and reforms under his rule, his conquests in northern China and Western Asia, and the history of the Mongol people after Genghis Khan.

Describes the legendary creatures from Greek mythology, the Cyclopes, a race of giants with a taste for human flesh and with a single eye in the center of their foreheads.

"The world was shocked and frightened when President John F. Kennedy was gunned down by an assassin in 1963 ... When Kennedy''s vice president, Lyndon Baines Johnson, took the presidential oath of office on Air Force One just hours after the assassination, the White House photographer was there. Cecil Stoughton''s iconic photo showed the world that the smooth and orderly transfer of power had occurred. His photo helped ease the shock, tension, and fear in an anxious country."--Back cover.

Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War are forever linked. The bloody conflict began in 1861, the year Lincoln was elected president. It ended in 1865, the year he was struck down by an assassin''s bullet. During those years the admired and despised 16th president served as a brilliant commander in chief, ultimately keeping the nation together and freeing thousands of its enslaved people.

This book explores what life was really like for everyday people in Ancient Rome. Using primary sources and information from archeological discoveries, it uncovers some fascinating insights and explodes some myths. Supported by timelines, maps and references to important events and people, children will really feel they are on a time-travelling journey when reading this book.

One of the most famous stories from ancient Greek mythology concerns Medusa, a creature so repulsive that merely gazing on her turned someone to stone. In this book, basic readers are introduced to Medusa and her hideous sisters and learn about how the hero Perseus and his flying horse managed to slay her. Also included is a synopsis of images of Medusa in modern culture.

Asteroids used to be among the most mysterious objects in the Solar System. But recent and ongoing research has revealed much about their origins, sizes, shapes, and composition. In addition to these facts, this fast-paced book tells young readers about the discovery of asteroids; how people will someday mine them for precious metals; and how much of a threat asteroid impacts pose to the earth and civilization.

Charles Darwin, whose theory of evolution transformed modern science, remains an important, fascinating, and in some quarters controversial figure. This well-documented biography of Darwin traces his life, travels, discoveries, writings, and personal problems in eye-opening detail and moving prose.

Discusses the weapons of Revolutionary War soldiers and different means of warfare used during that conflict.

Terrorism.

It is an often overlooked and understudied fact, that America belonged to indigenous populations well before the new American government came to be. Native Americans have been living on the American continent since about 12,000 B.C. They were a rich variety of cultures, peoples, and languages. This book examines the history of early Native North Americans, providing readers with insight into past Indian civilizations, their origins, and their plights when faced with settlers and shrinking resources.

This book discusses the origins of Aztec myths and how some of these myths have been manipulated over time. The book details the major gods found within the mythology along with some of the most memorable tales, such as creation of the world and the making of humanity. Readers learn how Aztec myths have penetrated popular culture.

This book includes fourteen critical essays on the novel "Frankenstein" and a biography of Mary Shelley.