Most Popular Books by Don Nardo

Discusses the discovery of atoms and how they work, nuclear energy and weapons, nuclear radiation and its medical uses, atomic clocks, and other applications.

Presents articles on the culture and daily lives of ancient Romans.

Contains essays that provide information about the life and deeds of Roman leader Julius Caesar, discussing his actions as a politician, soldier, orator and writer, and dictator.

Describes the efforts of Philip II of Macedonia and his son, Alexander the Great, to unify the different parts of Greece and to establish a vast Greek empire.

This volume explores and explains how gravity rules the movements of all objects, from balls, airplanes, and people on Earth to the largest galaxies in the farthest reaches of the universe. Covered are Newton''s and Einstein''s theories of gravity, how gravity causes the tides, and the workings of gravity under extreme conditions, including black holes.

Examines the photojournalism of Heinrich Hoffman, the personal photographer of Adolf Hitler, and the impact Hoffman''s photos had on events during the early years of World War II.

Every people and religion in human history has produced its own stories and legends about how the universe, world, and/or human race came to be. This book explores the fascinating creation myths of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Babylonians, Aztecs, Hindus, and Chinese.

World War II was in its early days when brutal German dictator Adolf Hitler paid a visit to Paris, the capital of France. Only days before, on June 14, 1940, German soldiers had overrun the city, shocking the world. Hitler now viewed the city''s cultural treasures as his own. He posed for a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower, the beloved symbol of France and the country''s free, democratic people. The photo, taken by his personal photographer, Heinrich Hoffmann, would show the world that Nazi Germany had triumphed over its bitter enemy. Many who viewed the photo in newspapers around the globe would draw a second conclusion that Germany would almost certainly invade Britain next. And if Britain fell, Hitler would be a huge step closer to his ultimate goal of world domination.

Covers the slave trade, interaction between whites and Blacks, the birth of Black American culture, and portraits of Black Americans.

Examines the people, educational system, scientific and artistic discoveries, social structure, shopping, festivals, and famous artists of Rome in 143 A.D.

"Describes the history and future of human space exploration"--Provided by publisher.

Recorded instances of slavery date back to the eighteenth century B.C.E. China and slave practices continue to take place in many countries all over the world. Slavery takes many forms and degrees, often reflecting the values and fissures of the cultures in which it takes place. This necessary volume analyzes the complex history of slavery in accessible chapters supplemented by maps, charts, and timelines to facilitate discussion. Relevant topics provide a broad understanding of issues including: the earliest examples of slavery, Ancient Greece and slavery defined as normal, slavery in the Roman empire, the development of the early modern slave trade, the institution of slavery in the United States, and how slavery persists in the modern world.

Author Don Nardo examines the ancient civilizations and peoples of Persian mythology. Origin / creation stories, early gods, mythical kings and heroes, and Zoroastrianism are all covered. This volume has a map of ancient Persia, a visual organizer grouping major characters, a table of major characters with name pronunciations and brief descriptions, a glossary, sidebars, fact boxes, and bibliography of sources for further study, and a subject index.

Southeast Asian Cultures in Perspective is an in-depth look at the different regional cultures of Southeast Asia with an emphasis on current culture. The young reader is presented with an overview of a variety of regional cultures that developed historically and analyzes how the cultural history shapes the Southeast Asian region''s current culture. The book is written in a lively and interesting style, and contains the Southeast Asian region''s languages, foods, music/dance, art/literature, religions, holidays, lifestyle, and most importantly contemporary culture in the country today. The book has been developed to address many of the Common Core specific goals, higher level thinking skills, and progressive learning strategies from informational texts for middle grade and junior high level students.

The Alamo often conjures up images of rugged frontiersmen, the likes of Davy Crockett and James Bowie, shoring up the defenses of the fort against the forces of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. These events did take place, but The Alamo was a small flashpoint in a wider struggle for control of a strategically vital region known as Texas. Seen as a bulwark against the French and British empires to the north, the newly independent nation of Mexico had to secure the territory or risk encroachment on its northern border. This compelling volume examines The Alamo within the wider context of the struggle for control of Texas. Chapters explain the events that led to the battle, provide a gripping description of the siege itself with detailed discussions of the primary figures involved, and describe the legacy of this lost battle to American politics and culture.

North African Cultures in Perspective is an in-depth look at the different regional cultures of northern Africa with an emphasis on current culture. The young reader is presented with an overview of a variety of regional cultures that developed historically and analyzes how the cultural history shapes the North African region''s current culture. The book is written in a lively and interesting style and discusses North African languages, foods, music/dance, art/literature, religions, holidays, lifestyle, and most importantly contemporary culture in the country today. The book has been developed to address many of the Common Core specific goals, higher level thinking skills, and progressive learning strategies from informational texts for middle grade and junior high level students.

"Discusses the attack at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games and an iconic photograph that captured the historic event"--

In most telescopes, the eighth planet appears as a small, more or less featureless blue disk. But as explained in this informative volume, Neptune is a complex, dynamic world where huge, violent natural forces are at work. Young readers will learn about the dramatic way scientists discovered the planet; its structure and composition; its beautiful and intriguing moons and rings; and the possibility of Neptunian life.

Presents articles on the culture and daily lives of ancient Greeks.

This up-to-date examination of the controversial topic of cloning concentrates mainly on the scientific and technical aspects of this form of reproduction, tracing its existence in Earth''s primordial seas, to human mastery of plant cloning in the Stone Age, to the rise of mass-produced cloned food in the 20th century, to early attempts to clone animals, to the first cloned pets, and ends with speculation about the possibilities of human cloning in the future.

Author Don Nardo discusses the scientific revolution in Europe that led to what we now know as modern science. Readers will be introduced to the forerunners of modern science. They will become acquainted with advances such as the telescope and with advances in scientific methods. Newton and gravitation are covered, as well as enlightenment and beyond. Full-color photographs, maps, illustrations, timelines, and sidebars support the text.

Author Don Nardo examines the many aspects of science underlying the popular sport of surfing. This book discusses the physics of waves, the science behind board shape and how riders stay on the board, covering the principles of gravity, buoyancy, and water surface tension. It also covers the scientific principles behind movements such as popping-up on the board; catching a wave; riding a wave; turning; the "hang-ten"; the "duck dive"; the "turtle roll"; and others. Other connections to science are made through discussion of wiping out, rip currents, collisions and typical injuries, hypothermia, and shark attacks. This volume discusses psychological aspects, especially anxiety.

Discusses the issue of global warming: what is causing it, how all living things on Earth are feeling the effects, and the steps that are being taken to fight it.

Our heart is our motor. Without it, we cease to exist, when it''s in peril, all other systems of the body are impacted. It is crucial that children learn early on that taking care of their heart is crucial. Studies are conclusive, for several years now, that certain foods we eat put us on the track to major heart problems. Give your readers this approachable guidebook on how diet can be used to control and even prevent heart disease.

When you look up at the night sky, do you ever wonder why some stars seem to move? These moving lights are not stars. They are artificial satellites, machines put into space to help us communicate or gather information here on Earth. From the launch of the first artificial satellite in 1957 to the space telescopes making headlines today, these orbiting eyes have helped us study the heavens, survey the earth, stay in touch, and protect our homelands. Headline Science uses news stories and everyday applications to explain the science behind artificial satellites.

Using the results of ongoing research, this book examines the classifications and possible causes, both biological and psychological, of phobias and anxiety disorders. Including fascinating case studies, and concluding with an in-depth look at the many methods used to help individuals tormented by these mysterious ailments.

An introduction to robots, including their origins and their presence in film and other media.

Examines the history of people''s interest in space travel, the development of efforts to leave Earth, and possibilities for colonization and exploration of outer space.

According to Oil Spill Prevention and Response, oil spill releases have declined from 246 incidents in the 1970s to 33 incidents in the 2000s. Approximately 46 percent of oil that enters the environment is naturally occurring. This accessible volume describes how oil spills occur, how they affect the environment, and how they can be cleaned up and prevented. Readers are provided with thorough and balanced information on oil spills and will be inspired to think critically about how these events affect their community and the world at large.

Discusses martians and their lasting appeal in film and other popular culture.

Known for hit-and-run raids that struck terror into the hearts of villagers across Europe during the Middle Ages, the Vikings were independent farmers but also daring explorers, sailing far from Scandinavia in search of new land to conquer and farm. Author Don Nardo unpacks the many myths surrounding the Vikings with this comprehensive account of the their culture and impact upon the course of history. Chapters approach the subject with accessible language, maps, and timelines to broaden student understanding and facilitate research. Topics discussed in this edition include: the origin of the Vikings, conquests and expansions, the nature of Viking communities, Norse mythology, explorations of the West, and the end of the Viking age.

This fascinating book explores Great Britain''s culture and myths, as well as the beliefs, values, and experiences represented in its stories and mythological figures. Readers discover the settlement of Britain by the Celts and the influence of the Roman invasion; pre-Christian myths, such as Beowulf; the Arthurian cycle; the adventures of Robin Hood; and the survival of British myth in literary tradition.

One the least understood places in the world, the North and South poles have captivated the imagine of scientists, adventurers, and ordinary people for centuries. With an abundance of natural resources, including crude oil, and the possibility for new scientific breakthroughs, the race to understand the poles has at various times led many nations to make political claims in a rush to exercise control over this terrain. This comprehensive volume offers detailed accounts of the major polar explorations, the political and scientific stakes in the quest to map and contain the Arctic and Antarctica. Chapters discuss the contest for the North Pole, the "heroic age" of exploration of the South Pole during the beginning of the twentieth century, the evolution of scientific technology and its effect on research in the harsh environment, and the trends in modern polar research.

Discusses the telescope and many things you can do with one.

The remains of collapsed stars, black holes possess enormous gravities that pull in and annihilate any matter that strays too close. The latest evidence and theories for these bizarre objects are presented in this intriguing book, including how black holes were first predicted, how they form, their physical properties, and how scientists detect them. Also covered are the giant black holes now known to lurk at the centers of most galaxies and the possibility of using these objects as cosmic gateways.

This book includes seventeen critical essays on "Othello" and a biography of William Shakespeare.

A collection of essays that examine how the Great Depression affected the social, political, and economic atmosphere of the United States.

Contains a variety of critical articles analyzing works from Greek drama.

The story of the fateful Zama battle between Hannibal and Scipio.