Britannica Educational Publishing
Giving Western literature and art many of its most enduring themes and archetypes, Greek mythology and the gods and goddesses at its core are a fundamental part of the popular imagination. At the heart of Greek mythology are exciting stories of drama, action, and adventure featuring gods and goddesses, who, while physically superior to humans, share many of their weaknesses. Readers will be introduced to the many figures once believed to populate
...The iconic pyramids and striking hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt are but a limited representation of the resplendent culture that once inhabited the Nile Valley. The ancient Egyptians developed sophisticated societies and belief systems, bestowing the world with plenitudes in the way of intellectual and cultural achievement. The vibrance of the ancient Egyptian life—from the dynasties to the masses—are captured in this volume, which also explores
...The seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson is often remembered for his "firsts"; he was the first leader from west of the Appalachians and the first to win office by directly appealing to the American people, rather than relying on association with a political party. A military hero during the War of 1812, Jackson brought the same determination and strength of character he showed on the battlefield to the presidency. Lively text
...Though he had less than three years in office, John F. Kennedy made a lasting and profound mark as U.S. president. Deftly handling the Cuban Missile Crisis and supporting civil rights laws and the space race, Kennedy represented the promise for a better future. Readers examine the life of the accomplished and charismatic 35th president whose life and term were tragically ended too soon.
Even as airlines provide faster means of travel, ships and boats remain as important as ever in transporting passengers and cargo across the world's bodies of water. While ship design has become increasingly sophisticated with time, everything including the luxury liners, warships, and sailboats of today owe much to the watercraft that facilitated travel, trade, and war among ancient cultures. This detailed volume examines the development of the
...Traversing landscapes and expediting travel, railroads have allowed us to conquer once elusive frontiers to improve both transportation and commerce. Railroad design has changed remarkably little in the years since the invention of the steam engine, yet trains remain a prevalent form of transport and the railways. The bridges that have been developed to support them continue to be a vital part of infrastructures in countries around the world. This
...14) Ireland
Although the independent Irish republic emerged only relatively recently, its rich history and cultural bounties date back centuries. The Irish have long endured strife, struggling against external control—notably English rule—as well as against infighting, often between Roman Catholics and Protestants. Yet even amidst such conflict, Ireland has continued to be known as the "land of saints and scholars," with writers such as James Joyce
...16) Barack Obama
Sweeping into the office of U.S. president with his mesmerizing oratory of hope and change, Barack Obama forever transformed American politics. As the first African American to hold the title, his election represented a historic milestone, both socially and politically. The 44th president's remarkable journey from Hawaii and Indonesia to Chicago and the White House is chronicled, and the major issues—including the financial crisis, healthcare,
...Although vastly different in many ways, Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia together form the heart of Central Europe. Austria has historically been much more visible in European politics than either Croatia or Slovenia, but as with the latter two, it has also been a part of various alliances over the centuries. Despite that, however, all three have retained their own sense of national identity through it all, weathering the fall of Austria-Hungary,
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