New Releases by Ron Miller

For more than 2,000 years, plays, poetry, movies, and television have portrayed Cleopatra as an ambitious woman who used her beauty to seduce powerful men like Julius Caesar and Mark Antony in a ruthless attempt to increase her own power and wealth. But is this the real Cleopatra or one invented by male historians anxious to discredit an intelligent, competent woman who was the last great pharaoh of Egypt? In ""Cleopatra"", the true story reveals her to be a woman who used her great intelligence, imagination, personality, and indomitable drive in a tragic attempt to restore Egypt to the greatness it had known under the great pharaohs of old.

Extreme Aircraft looks at the first, the biggest, the fastest, and the strangest aircraft, as well as the men and women who built and flew them. From the prophetic flying machines of Leonardo da Vinci to the astral journeys of the space shuttle, these pages tell the story of genius inventors, bullish financiers, ace pilots, brave adventurers, and the visionary technology used in pursuing the dream of flight.

Describes how digital art is used in magazines, books, television, movies, games, the history of the art form, and its future.

Traces the development of artificial satellites from the rise of rocketry, discussing the historical importance of Sputnik and describing what modern satellites are used for.

Examines how robots are used to explore space.

The most futuristic of humankind’s inventions is also one of the oldest. Author Ron Miller tells the story of rockets, from their humble beginnings as toys one thousand years ago to their initiation as fearsome weapons of war. Most recently, rockets have enabled human beings to escape the bonds of Earth, travel into space, and explore other worlds. This is a story of great geniuses, personal sacrifices, and grand adventure.

For hundreds of years scientists have sought and studied new worlds beyond Earth. Author Ron Miller describes the long, hard trek from the first tentative attempts to fly rocket-powered vehicles, to the first humans to brave traveling beyond Earth’s atmosphere, to the explorers who left their footprints in the soil of the Moon. This history of space exploration will compel you to consider the future of our journey.

Looks at the history of the special effects industry from silent films to the use of current technologies, providing insight into how various special effects are created and used.

Examines the evolution, surface, and composition of stars, and explores galaxies, using diagrams and NASA photographs.

Discusses the history of the periodic table of the elements, includes biographies of major figures in the field of chemistry, and provides information on each element.

"When Ron Miller decided to exchange his life of comfort and security for an extended global journey, he never imagined the cultural trials he would face or the spiritual lessons he would learn. Immersing himself deeply into a potpourri of international cultures, Miller felt compelled to ask himself: "If I had been born into a society of cannibals, would I question that society''s behaviors and values, or would I simply be a happy cannibal?" Miller searched the entire world for the guidance that supersedes culture and he found that wisdom in the last-and most obvious-place he looked"--Back cover

Presents a series of paintings, photographs, drawings, and text that take a guided trip through the solar system, featuring the latest in scientific thought and data.

Two of the most mysterious planets in our solar system are the cold, beautiful blue worlds of Uranus and Neptune. They lie so far from the Sun that they appear only as small dots in even the largest telescopes. Unknown to ancient astronomers, one was discovered by accident and the other as the result of an interplanetary detective story, and an intense international competition. Modern spacecraft have revealed them to be among the most fascinating of all the planets, from the frigid blue hurricanes that rage through Neptune’s atmosphere to some of the most unusual moons in the solar system.

Saturn is the crown jewel of the solar system. Admired for centuries for its beauty--a pale gold ball surrounded by gleaming white rings--modern astronomers have discovered that Saturn is one of the most amazing of all the planets. From the mysteries of its glorious rings to its dozens of unique moons, one of which is large enough to be a world in its own right, the story of Saturn is also the story of astronomy and the discovery of the solar system.

Special Features: Sidebars; Glossary; Books, Magazines, Organizations, and Web sources; Index Curriculum Strands: Space science

Chronicles the origin, evolution, and exploration of the Earth and the Moon, and discusses their composition, their place in our solar system, and more.

The first historical account of the free school movement of the 1960s.

Chronicles the discovery and explorations of the planet Venus and discusses its composition, its place in the solar system, and more.

Chronicles the discovery and explorations of the planet Jupiter and discusses each of its moons, its place in the solar system, and more.

Chronicles the discoveries of all the planets within our solar system, as well as planets beyond our system.

Readers will be captivated by these introductions to Earth''s habitats and efforts to save them. Large, dramatic photos and simple text make these titles easy to digest. By viewing biome through a scientist''s eyes, readers gain a deeper understanding of why these environments are important to study and the role each of us can play in their conservation.

Readers will thrill with the latest news on the hottest sports. Extreme sports fans can read about the evolution of daring sports and the culture surrounding them, profiles of star athletes, techniques, training, equipment, safety rules, and more. An introduction explains how to navigate each book, and bold vocabulary words with a companion glossary boost comprehension.

"Your conception of outer space has probably been influenced by...Bonestell''s surrealist paintings of other-planetary scenes, which caused a sensation when Life first published...them....His vivid imaginings...were used as the visual basis for several...science fiction movies....More than 300...works appear....Rediscover this influential artist, whose success has been credited with stoking public support for the U.S. space program.""--Booklist. ""Will appeal to any lover of fine art."" --Fantasy & Science Fiction."

Traces the history of the genre, and examines its major works and authors.

Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter is having quite the grumpy day in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book. Whether he’s cranky on the slide or stubborn in the sandbox, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect way to teach children about their emotions!

Explains the history of rockets and why they work better in outer space. Venture Books.

This book is a powerful exposition and critique of the historical context and cultural/philosophical foundations of contemporary mainstream American education.