"Our world was made on and by the Silk Roads. For millennia it was here that East and West encountered each other through trade and conquest, leading to the spread of ideas and cultures, the birth of the world's great religions, the appetites for foreign goods that drove economies and the growth of nations. From the first cities in Mesopotamia to the growth of Greece and Rome to the depredations by the Mongols and the Black Death to the Great Game...

America's most celebrated astrophysicist invites young readers to explore the mysteries of the universe.

"Situated in South America very close to the Equator, Ecuador is a country known for its vibrant culture and ecotourism. This book discusses the history of Ecuador, what its people and cities are like, and examines how it became the country it is today." -- Publisher's website.

A photo essay examining the design, construction, and uses of hand weapons and armor from a Stone Age axe to the revolvers and rifles of the Wild West. Be an eyewitness to awesome and bloody weapons such as swords, knuckledusters, and pistols -- and the equipment used to deflect deadly slashes, blows, and bullets. See a ceremonial knife from Sudan. Find out how far a crossbow could fire an arrow. Discover why powder flasks were made of cow horn. New...

"In this tender, beautiful letter to his daughters, President Barack Obama has written a moving tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans and the ideals that have shaped our nation. From the artistry of Georgia O'Keeffe, to the courage of Jackie Robinson, to the patriotism of George Washington, President Obama sees the traits of these heroes within his own children, and within all of America's children"--Book jacket

When twelve-year-old Waka's parents suspect she can't understand basic Japanese they speak to her, they make the drastic decision to send her to Tokyo to live for several months with her strict grandmother. Forced to say goodbye to her friends and what would have been her summer vacation, Waka is plucked from her straight-A-student life in rural Kansas and flown across the globe, where she faces the culture shock of a lifetime. In Japan, Waka struggles...

A culturally rich nation, Zambia has a history back to the twelfth century. Vivid storytellers, Zambians are known for passing on tradition and culture through word of mouth. This book contains vivid images, detailed sidebars, and informative references to engage and inform young readers.

Discusses the history of South Dakota from the earliest time to the present, famous citizens, and places of interest to visit.

A presentation of the Mountain State, including its history from earliest time to the present, resources, famous citizens, and places of interest to visit

An introduction to the history, people, and places of the thirty-ninth or fortieth State--history will never ascertain which.