Most Popular Books by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson

Audisee® eBooks with Audio combine professional narration and sentence highlighting to engage reluctant readers! "Iceberg, Right Ahead!" Only 160 minutes passed between the time a sailor on lookout duty uttered these chilling words and the moment when the mighty ocean liner Titanic totally disappeared into the cold, dark waters of the North Atlantic. This century-old tragedy, which took more than 1,500 lives, still captivates people in the twenty-first century. Seventy-three years separate the two major Titanic events—the 1912 sinking of the vessel and the dramatic 1985 discovery of the wreck by Robert Ballard. But additional stories about the victims, survivors, rescuers, reporters, investigators, and many others show the far-reaching effects this tragedy had on society. Award-winning author Stephanie Sammartino McPherson has collected numerous personal accounts of the event, including the knighted man who spent the rest of his life in seclusion because he was accused of dishonorable behavior in a lifeboat, the stewardess who survived two shipwrecks and a mid-ocean collision, and the New York Times executive who sent multiple reporters to meet the rescue ship, thus earning a national reputation for his newspaper. She also links the Titanic tragedy to changes in regulations worldwide. After a Senate Inquiry and a British trial attempted to assign blame for the disaster, new laws on ship safety were put in place. A group of nations also banded together to form an ice patrol, eventually leading to the formation of the U.S. Coast Guard. Even the most avid Titanic fans will learn something new as McPherson brings the reader up to date on the politics and intrigue still surrounding the wreck—including what modern science can reveal about what really happened to the ship and who was at fault. Prepare to follow the never-ending story of the Titanic into its second century.

"Give me liberty, or give me death!" A passionate speaker, Patrick Henry mesmerized and motivated audiences with his powerful words. Henry believed that Britain had stolen America''s freedom, and he was determined to prevent this injustice. Using his skills as a lawyer and politician, he inspired his fellow colonists to prepare for a war against Britain--and helped to create a new nation.

Did you know that not all Brooklyn Dodgers fans and players welcomed Jackie Robinson to the team in 1947? Some fans and teammates weren''t welcoming to a black player at first. But Jackie''s great playing soon won them over.

Recounts the life of the scientist whose theories of relativity revolutionized the way we look at space and time.

It was a clear autumn night in 1847. Maria Mitchell stood on the roof of her parents'' house on the island of Nantucket, focusing her telescope on a faraway star. Suddenly she realized that the faint, blurry light wasn''t a star at all—it was a comet! Maria Mitchell''s discovery changed her life. She became famous as the first acknowledged woman astronomer in the United States. During her many travels, Maria came to realize that most women did not have the same opportunities as men. She thought that women should be encouraged to be anything they wanted to be. This was a lesson she taught her students as an astronomy professor at Vassar College and a message she stressed as the president of the Association for the Advancement of Women. From the rooftops of Nantucket to the great observatories of Europe, Stephanie Sammartino McPherson skillfully chronicles the life of this outstanding woman.

In 2011 a computer named Watson outscored two human competitors on the TV quiz show Jeopardy! and snagged the million-dollar prize. Watson isn''t the only machine keeping up with humans. The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is booming, with drones, robots, and computers handling tasks that once only humans could perform. Such advances raise challenging questions. Do Watson and other computers really think? Can machines acquire self-awareness? Is AI a promising or a dangerous technology? No machine, not even Watson, yet comes close to matching human intelligence, but many scientists believe it is only a matter of time before we reach this milestone. What will such a future look like?

When an election is coming up, you usually expect a face-off between the two major US political parties—Democrats and Republicans. It''s easy to forget that there are numerous minor parties—and even groups within a single party—that have different goals. Why do we need political parties? In modern elections, they are important in shaping candidates'' positions on issues, determining who is nominated to run on a party ticket, and working behind the scenes to influence an election''s outcome. Examine opposing viewpoints on some of the key issues surrounding political parties and consider for yourself the power they hold in the US election process.

Sisters against Slavery recounts the lives of Sarah Grimke and Angelica Grimke Weld. These daughters of wealthy Southern planters and slave owners renounced slavery in the 1830''s. Through their writings and through a series of lectures delivered in the North, the sisters became famous for their views on slavery and women''s rights. Although the sisters were active as speakers and essayists for a relatively short time in the 1830s and 1840s, they reached tens of thousands of people, influenced American views on slavery, and were an inspiration to women''s rights leaders for decades to come.

Dr. Alice Hamilton''s accomplishments were many, but one in particular changed her life forever. Working as a social worker in the Chicago slums, Alice noticed that lead factory workers were pale and thin, and some had trouble moving their wrists and hands. Setting out to investigate the cause of their ailements, Alice pioneered a new branch of medicine--industrial medicine. As a doctor, social worker, and fighter for peace, Alice single-handedly changed the world. Because of her many American workers lived longer, healthier lives.

A biography of the persistent experimenter whose interest in electricity led him to develop an electronic television system in the 1920s.

As USA TODAY, the Nation''s No. 1 Newspaper, noted, "Google has infiltrated the daily lives of millions of people." But this giant company had very humble beginnings. In 1996 Sergey Brin and Larry Page were graduate students at Stanford University in California when they decided to invent a new way to search the information on the World Wide Web. Their technology project soon became a search engine and a company, Google, that changed the way information on the Internet is retrieved and controlled, making it easier, faster, and more relevant. Under Brin and Page, Google has become an international powerhouse, with an ever-widening scope of services—from Gmail to Google Earth to smart phones. It is also known for its fantasyland office complex, complete with gourmet chef and scooters. Sergey Brin and Larry Page continue to dream up exciting ventures for the future, and the world is waiting to see what''s next.

Ice in the Arctic is disappearing—and opportunity is calling. As climate change transforms the top of the world, warmer conditions are exposing a treasure trove of energy resources previously trapped in ice. The Arctic''s oil, natural gas, minerals, and even wind and hydroelectric power are becoming more accessible than ever before. With untold riches hanging in the balance, the race is on to control the Arctic and its energy potential. Oil companies vie for drilling rights that go to the highest bidder. Nations around the globe—whether they''re on the Arctic''s doorstep or half a world away—hope to claim territory for themselves. And the indigenous peoples who have called this region home for thousands of years are determined to be on the ground floor of its development. But the Arctic''s new possibilities come with grave risks. The pursuit of oil and natural gas threatens to further damage the Arctic''s fragile ecosystems and accelerate global warming worldwide. International disputes over who owns which pieces of the Arctic could bring countries to the brink of war. The fate of the entire planet may hinge on how far people are willing to go to tap and control the Far North''s energy resources. From oil rigs to military bases, the Arctic has never before hosted so many warring interests, and the stakes have never been so high. Join Stephanie Sammartino McPherson on a journey to the Far North to explore the energy controversies that will decide the future of the Arctic—and of the earth.

In the early 1880s, only a few wealthy people had electric lighting in their homes. Everyone else had use more dangerous lighting, such as gas lamps. Eager companies wanted to be the first to supply electricity to more Americans. The early providers would set the standards—and reap great profits. Inventor Thomas Edison already had a leading role in the industry: he had invented the first reliable electrical lightbulb. By 1882 his Edison Electric Light Company was distributing electricity using a system called direct current, or DC. But an inventor named Nikola Tesla challenged Edison. Tesla believed that an alternating current—or AC—system would be better. With an AC system, one power station could deliver electricity across many miles, compared to only about one mile for DC. Each inventor had his backers. Business tycoon George Westinghouse put his money behind Tesla and built AC power stations. Meanwhile, Edison and his DC backers said that AC could easily electrocute people. Edison believed this risk would sway public opinion toward DC power. The battle over which system would become standard became known as the War of the Currents. This exciting book tells the story of that war, the people who fought it, and the ways in which both kinds of electric power changed the world.

Behind the fame of big-time sports lies a complex web of controversy and deceit. Doping—the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to gain a competitive athletic edge—is common in many sports. While doping can improve performance, it poses huge risks for athletes'' health and careers. Some of the world''s top athletes, from cyclist Lance Armstrong to professional baseball player Alex Rodriguez, have seen their images tarnished by doping scandals. Still, the pressure to win and high financial stakes drive many athletes to PEDs. Award-winning author Stephanie Sammartino McPherson uncovers the shadowy world of athletes who dope, the people and organizations that help them, and the scientists and officials committed to stopping them.

In 2018 the number of people displaced worldwide by violence, persecution, or natural disaster had reached 68.5 million. The United Nations Refugee Agency estimates that one person is displaced every two seconds. The world faces an unprecedented crisis as people flee their homes, seeking safety, peace, and a better future for themselves and their families. Refugees set off, often on foot or by boat, on dangerous journeys to cross international borders where they can apply for asylum, or protection, in a new country. Once there, they may spend years in crowded refugee camps or other inadequate housing while they wait for their claims to be processed. While many countries welcome refugees and other asylum seekers, others do not. They worry that high numbers of refugees are an economic burden. They have concerns about security and fear the changes that new populations bring to a culture. Yet refugees also boost economies and save dying towns. They introduce valuable new skills and meaningful perspectives. What are the solutions to the crisis? Do we have the resources--and the will--to provide hope and a future for all the world''s citizens? Meet refugees from around the world and hear what experts have to say. Make an informed judgment and find ways to be part of a solution.

A thorough and accessible biography of Dr. Katalin Karikó, winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, whose hard work pioneering mRNA research led to the COVID-19 vaccines. Her monumental contribution to global health care has rightfully placed Karikó as one of the most important scientists in history. She has won awards, given speeches, and appeared in magazines and television programs. But she wasn’t always famous—in fact, it took decades for anyone to recognize the importance of her research into RNA and the potential of mRNA to help cells fight off disease. Beginning with her birth in a small village in rural Hungary, Breakthrough tells the story of how a young girl interested in the wildlife around her became an internationally celebrated hero. Exuberant, devoted to her family, and hard-working, Karikó persevered in the face of challenges and obstacles that would have discouraged many of her peers. Her achievements remind us that if we believe in ourselves, no matter the setbacks we encounter, we can succeed.

Chronicles the life and accomplishments of Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web.

A biography of the brothers who, in 1903, made the first powered, controlled flight in an airplane.

As hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires are increasing in regularity and intensity, climate change can no longer be ignored. Melting permafrost, forest dieback, ocean acidification, and other processes are creating positive feedback loops which could, if not aggressively and quickly addressed, spiral out of control and take global warming past the point of no return. Hothouse Earth examines how science, politics, and social justice must all be part of the equation to counteract climate change.

The first Latina to serve in the United States Supreme Court, Sonia came from humble beginnings in the Bronx in New York City. Overcoming health and financial problems, she earned a high-level college degree, became a lawyer, and eventually became a judge. Learn about Soniau0092s inspiring life, her refusal to back down, and her insistence on fighting for the American Dream.

This book traces the life of the wife of first president George Washington from her childhood in Virginia, to her marriage to Daniel Parke Custis and her years as a wealthy widow, through her marriage to Washington. It highlights her role in supporting Washington through the years of the American Revolution, showing how she set standards to be followed by future First Ladies throughout American history.

A biography of the wife of Martin Luther King.

“Fire is part of nature. It’s just like the rain, the sunrise each day. It’s a natural occurrence, a part of nature necessary to complete lifecycles of different plants and animals.” –John Waconda, director of the Nature Conservancy’s Indigenous Partnerships Program “Every time you put a fire out, you’re just postponing it. You just increase the actual fuel load that is out there, so when it does happen you get these massive megafire events.” –Malcolm North, fire ecologist “Climate change is creating the perfect conditions for larger, more intense wildfires.” –Robert Scheller, professor of landscape ecology and associate dean of research at North Carolina State University Wildfire is a natural process that takes place worldwide. In dry conditions, a single spark can transform into a megafire that sweeps across the landscape, burning everything in its path. Despite fire’s deadly reputation, ecosystems such as forests and grasslands depend on it to clear out debris and promote new plant growth. Environmental scientist Ferin Davis Anderson and author Stephanie Sammartino McPherson examine how Indigenous people, farmers, and forestry departments have used fire to manage natural resources and how human development and climate change are impacting the frequency and intensity of wildfires. By delving into how fires start and burn, fire suppression and firefighting, and the ecological importance of burns, they explore people’s long relationship with fire and reflect on fire’s regenerative benefits and destructive capabilities alike. Discover the history of large-scale fire and what its future may look like in Wildfire.

Traces the life and accomplishments of the noted twentieth-century physicist Albert Einstein.

Between standardized tests, extra-curricular activities, pressure from parents, and the strain of getting into college, school is more stressful than ever. Relieve some of that stress by learning techniques to deal with the mounting pressure felt by students every day.

Examines the life and career of Douglas MacArthur, including his childhood, education, and military experience.

A biography of the woman who founded Hull-House, one of the first settlement houses in the United States, and who later became involved in the international peace movement.

Presents the life of the woman known for her struggles for women''s rights.

An introduction to the life and career of the inventor Alexander Graham Bell.

Looks at the lives of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Mike Collins, the three men who flew the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

Explores the life of Theodore Roosevelt from his birth in New York through his time as president of the United States until his death in 1919.

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Presents the life, career, and accomplishments of the man who founded Levi Strauss and Co. and became wealthy selling clothes during the gold rush in San Francisco.

True or False? When Bill Clinton became the governor of Arkansas in 1979, he set a record because of his age. True! Bill Clinton was only thirty-two years old when he was elected governor of Arkansas. That made him the youngest governor in the entire United States.

Profiles the English explorer who helped to colonize America and who searched for the mythical city of "El Dorado."

Examines the right of free expression for high school and junior high school students.

Examines the 1974 Supreme Court case in which a group of Chinese American parents sued the San Francisco School Board on behalf of their children for not providing a special learning environment for Chinese-speaking students.

Presents the life of medical researcher Jonas Salk, who discovered the polio vaccine.