Best Selling Books by Michael Burgan

Examines the Bill of Rights and the important part it plays in Americans'' lives today.

Explores one of the largest empires in the history of the world.

Presents a narrative of the personalities, political machinations, conflicts, and outcomes of the Cold War from the post-World War II development of the "iron curtain" to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Describes the history of the Department of Justice, and how it has evolved, what the pressing issues are today, and what lies ahead in the near future. Takes a potentially dry topic and makes it accessible for the younger reader. Sidebars highlight important issues and figures in history.

Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it takes to be considered one of the worst figures in history, with this second book in a brand-new nonfiction series that focuses on the most nefarious historical figures. In 1888, London was terrorized by a mysterious man with a knife. Between the end of August and beginning of November, this man committed five known murders—possibly more. Then, just as suddenly as they started, the killings stopped. Dubbed “Jack the Ripper” by the press, he slipped through the dark, foggy streets of London’s Whitchapel district, targeting women and leaving no witnesses and no clues as to his identity. The police were stumped. The press went wild. But no one could find Jack the Ripper. Even today, Jack the Ripper continues to fascinate. Amateur detectives, known as “Ripperologists”, books, movies, and walking tours all focus on one question: who was Jack the Ripper? Get a little closer to finding out with this biography that takes a deeper look at Jack the Ripper…because while he may be one of history’s worst people, his legend lives on.

This book briefly examines the history, people, and environment of the Philippines.

President Theodore Roosevelt called Jacob Riis "the best American I ever knew." The pioneering photojournalist--an immigrant from Denmark--drew attention to the poverty and evils of slum life in the late 1800s. Riis won national acclaim when his photos illustrated his bestselling book How the Other Half Lives. The book focused on the difficult time immigrants faced as thousands of newcomers flooded into the United States each year. Riis called for reform and hoped to prod government officials to help the poor people who were forced to live under horrible conditions. The impact of Riis'' photos came from capturing the poor and homeless as they lived and worked, with the subjects'' eyes often staring directly into the camera. The great photographer Ansel Adams called them "magnificent achievements in the field of humanistic photography." But the reforms that came from Riis'' work have not eliminated urban poverty and homelessness, and important work remains to be done.

This book describes the life and accomplishments of John Winthrop, who served twelve terms as governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony and who wrote in his journal about the events that came to be called the Great Migration.

"Describes the role spies played during World War II. Readers'' choices reveal various historical details"--

Key victories at Gettysburg in the North and Vicksburg in the South gave Union forces the upper hand in summer 1863. But the long Civil War was far from over. It would take nearly two more years and thousands of lives before this bloody conflict would come to an end.

In the spring of 1692, girls in Salem, Massachusetts, accused several local women of witchcraft. The events that followed were marked by mass hysteria and religious extremism and ultimately led to trials, convictions, executions, and many more accusals.

On-point historical photographs combined with strong narration bring the story of the Nixon-Kennedy presidential debates to life. TV was new in those days, and these were both the first debates ever held between two presidential candidates and the first to be televised. About 60 million people tuned into the first debate, or more than 1/4 of the country''s population. Readers will learn just how much effect seeing the debates had on the results of the election and how they changed presidential campaigning forevermore. Readers will understand the significance behind this event through text and clips of the event itself via the Capstone 4D augmented reality app.

On the night of April 14, 1912, as it made its first voyage, the luxury steamship Titanic struck an iceberg. Then, a few hours after midnight on April 15, the ship sank thousands of feet before settling on the ocean floor. And that''s where it stayed, whereabouts unknown, for the next 73 years until it was discovered by oceanographer Robert Ballard and his crew. The pictures and video Ballard brought back from the 1985 discovery helped stir new interest in the Titanic''s voyage and its resting spot.

Examines the political situation in America at the time of the troubles between England and her colonies there and describes how the Declaration of Independence was written and accepted.

Explains the history and meaning behind the Monroe Doctrine, which rejected European attempts to establish new colonies in the Americas.

"Covers UFOs, aliens, and alien abductions, including specific examples and skeptical arguments against the belief in aliens"--Provided by publisher.

Profiles the life of suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her role in the women''s suffrage movement that eventually led to the women''s right to vote.

Surveys the history, geography, government, economy, and people of Connecticut.

This comprehensive book outlines the geography, history, people, government, and economy of California. All books in the It''s My State! ® series are the definitive research tool for readers looking to know the ins and outs of a specific state, including comprehensive coverage of its history, people, culture, geography, economy and government.

Explores the rise and fall and spheres of influence, society and daily life, key events, and important figures of the Roman Empire.

Recounts the events leading up to the colonists'' defiant act against the British known as the Boston Tea Party, which ultimately climaxed in the American Revolution.

Provides comprehensive information on the Scopes trial, evolution, fundamentalism, and American education and the differing perspectives accompanying them.

A biography tracing the personal life and career of professional wrestler, Bill Goldberg.

"Some of the most important changes in American culture have been driven by people born outside the United States. Immigrants may come as refugees, as workers, or as students. They may come as children or as adults. Once here, many speak out for the rights of others or try to build a better country by working within the government. Some give money to good causes. Others point out problems that need to be fixed. Still others create art and music that gives voice to the downtrodden. Here are 25 immigrants who have made a difference by taking a stand"--

"Describes the lives of gladiators in the Roman Empire. The readers'' choices reveal the historical details of gladiators rebelling with Spartacus, training at a gladiator school in Pompeii, and trying to earn their freedom"--Provided by publisher.

Traces the personal life and career of professional wrestler Steve Austin.

A raging wildfire burns thousands of homes. A violent earthquake creates a giant tsunami that destroys countless lives. A giant tornado wipes a small town off the map. Discover the true stories of people who survived these terrible disasters and lived to tell the tale in this book from the Fighting to Survive series.

Provides comprehensive information on the background, lifestyle, beliefs, and present-day lives of the Lakota people. Includes a recipe and craft activity.

Examines how the Miranda right, "the right to remain silent" was implemented in the United States.

"Chronicles the life of Edward S. Curtis and his 20-volume life''s work, The North American Indian"--

Covers all aspects of life in the island nation of Japan.

Provides comprehensive information on the background, lifestyle, beliefs, and present-day lives of the Arapaho people.

A biography of the thirteenth-century Venetian explorer whose book about his travels across Asia and work for Kubla Khan helped to launch the Age of Exploration.

This series examines wars and conflicts in the 20th Century including the causes, major incidentsm and results from the point of view of the people who lived through it. Featuring primary and secondary sources, each book describes the sequence of events in a clear, accessible way. The focus is on the idea of conflict and change, and their impact on the lives of the peopple on the frontline.

Born on a small farm in rural Michigan, Henry Ford’s humble beginnings were no match for his ambition. Ford quickly created a manufacturing dynasty, bringing affordable cars to the masses and forever changing America and the American workplace. Who Was Henry Ford? details his meteoric rise, and explains how the genius behind the assembly line and the Model T shaped modern American industry.

Describes the Valley of the Kings, the tombs and mummies found there, and what scientists have learned from the area''s discoveries.

Discusses the Electoral College system, how it was created and the debate on the effectiveness of the system that has been used for more than 200 years to elect a president.