History

The Story of California and Her Flags to Color - Book 2 - Mexican Era Now in 4 glorious volumes! The men and women who made California's history are here with flying colors, with their lively stories told and the sources always given. The flags will thrill you when they are colored. From Bellerophon Books. Learn More

The Story of California and her Flags to Color - Book 1 - Spanish Era. Now in 4 glorious volumes! The men and women who made California's history are here with flying colors, with their lively stories told and the sources always given. The flags will thrill you when they are colored. From Bellerophon Books. Learn More

Over 125 years ago our beloved Statue of Liberty made its way to New York Harbor. This Step 2 non-fiction reader uses illustrations and all-new photographs to tell the story of how Lady Liberty was sculpted, transported from France, unveiled, and made into an American icon. Level 2 Reader. 32 pages. Ages 4-6 Learn More

The Social Contract By JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU Translated by Maurice Cranston

 “Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains”

These are the famous opening words of a treatise that has not ceased to stir vigorous debate since its first publication in 1762. Rejecting the view that anyone has a natural right to wield authority over others, Rousseau argues instead for a pact, or ‘social contract’, that should exist between all the citizens of a state and that should be the source of sovereign power. From this fundamental premise, he goes on to consider issues of liberty and law, freedom and justice, arriving at a view of society that has seemed to some a blueprint for totalitarianism, to others a declaration of democratic principles.

Paperback | Published by Penguin Classics Jun 30, 1968 | 192 Pages

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THE SILVER BRANCH The Roman Britain Trilogy (Volume 2)

Violence and unrest are sweeping through Roman Britain. Justin and Flavius find themselves caught up in the middle of it all when they discover a plot to overthrow the Emperor. In fear for their lives, they gather together a tattered band of men and lead them into the thick of battle, to defend the honor of Rome. But will they be in time to save the Emperor . .

208 Pages, Ages 10-15

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Explore how methods of moving over the sea have changed through the centuries.

The Science of Engineering series feature different forms of architecture and transport engineering. Features include funny and interesting illustrations; real-world science examples; side panels to tackle complex subject matter in a fun and relevant way; detailed glossary and more.

This fascinating guide to the science of seafaring explores how methods of moving over the sea have changed through the centuries, from using oars and simple sails to huge nuclear powered ships. It covers how technology has allowed us to stay afloat, navigate, move through water, and survive bad weather - and even go below the surface, as in the iconic submarine.

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Sometimes your body needs help getting better from an injury or illness. Medical technology can help find out what is wrong as well as cure what ails us. Today, tiny video cameras can be inserted into the body to see what’s there – and if someone loses a finger, a surgeon can reattach it using microsurgery under a powerful microscope. This fascinating guide to medical technology explores how robots are helping surgeons to perform operations, vaccines prevent deaths from disease, and various gadgets can help us check our diet and fitness levels. Features include funny and interesting illustrations; real-world science examples; side panels to tackle complex subject matter in a fun and relevant way; detailed glossary and more Learn More

This book explores the science of architecture since ancient times, and examines the life cycle of a building, from design to demolition. It looks at the challenges faced by today's architects, including how to build in areas prone to natural disaster, and how to build sustainably, so that our structures don't end up damaging the planet. After all, the first kilometer-high building is already under construction!

The Science of Engineering series feature different forms of architecture and transport engineering. Features include funny and interesting illustrations; real-world science examples; side panels to tackle complex subject matter in a fun and relevant way; detailed glossary and more.

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ABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF ATHENS

Nine Greek biographies illustrate the rise and fall of Athens, from the legendary days of Theseus, the city’s founder, through Solon, Themistocles, Aristides, Cimon, Pericles, Nicias, and Alcibiades, to the razing of its walls by Lysander. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world.

With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

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“The Revolutionary War” provides a detailed overview of the American battle for independence and the forging of a nation. From the earliest skirmishes at Lexington and Concord to the decisive victory at Yorktown, to the writing of the Constitution and the struggles of early national America, this book tracks both the logistical and intellectual dimensions of the "revolution," which, as John Adams said, took place "in the hearts and minds of Americans . . . before a single drop of blood was shed." As much as it vividly documents the particulars of battle, it is the dizzying aftermath of the war and the complexities of fulfilling the "idea" of America that form the impressive substance of this book. Also discussed are the social, cultural, and artistic advances of the post-Revolutionary period, including women's suffrage and the beginning of public education, with special emphasis given to the "American Renaissance" and the rising of distinctly American literature. Grades 7-12. 112 pages. Learn More

Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman statesman from the first century B.C., was convinced that the upright moral life was the happier life. The Republic became the blueprint of the U.S. government almost 2,000 years after it was written. In The Laws, Cicero defends his understanding of the upright moral life and becomes the foundation for the West’s philosophical discussion on the natural law. Studying such perennial works is a boon to everyone. From the publisher: Cicero’s dialogue The Republic was written just before the civil war that ended the Roman Republic. Drawing on Greek political theory, it embodies the mature reflections of a Roman ex-consul on the nature of political organization, on justice in society, and on the qualities needed in a statesman. Its sequel, The Laws, expounds the influential doctrine of Natural Law, which applies to all mankind, setting out an ideal code for a reformed Roman Republic, already half in the realm of Utopia. This is the finest complete English translation of either work for over sixty years. The Teacher Guide includes the following: answers to questions contained in the Student Guide, quizzes, tests, exams, and the answer key. Learn More

Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman statesman from the first century B.C., was convinced that the upright moral life was the happier life. The Republic became the blueprint of the U.S. government almost 2,000 years after it was written. In The Laws, Cicero defends his understanding of the upright moral life and becomes the foundation for the West’s philosophical discussion on the natural law. Studying such perennial works is a boon to everyone.

From the publisher: Cicero’s dialogue The Republic was written just before the civil war that ended the Roman Republic. Drawing on Greek political theory, it embodies the mature reflections of a Roman ex-consul on the nature of political organization, on justice in society, and on the qualities needed in a statesman.

Its sequel, The Laws, expounds the influential doctrine of Natural Law, which applies to all mankind, setting out an ideal code for a reformed Roman Republic, already half in the realm of Utopia.

This is the finest complete English translation of either work for over sixty years.

The Student Guide provides questions corresponding with the text and also provides an in-depth study that will aid the student in gaining a better understanding of classical studies.

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by Cicero (Author), Jonathan Powell (Introduction), Niall Rudd (Introduction, Translator)

Cicero's The Republic is an impassioned plea for responsible governement written just before the civil war that ended the Roman Republic in a dialogue following Plato. Drawing on Greek political theory, the work embodies the mature reflections of a Roman ex-consul on the nature of political organization, on justice in society, and on the qualities needed in a statesman. Its sequel, The Laws, expounds the influential doctrine of Natural Law, which applies to all mankind, and sets out an ideal code for a reformed Roman Republic, already half in the realm of utopia.

From Oxford University Press

288 pages Learn More

"The Renaissance" (1300—1500) provides an overview of the years from the Late Middle Ages through the Renaissance. Special emphasis is given to the natural and political disasters that ravaged 14th-century Europe, as well as the unprecedented intellectual, cultural, and artistic flourishing of the 15th and 16th centuries. The Black Death, The Hundred Years' War, the invention of the printing press, the birth of humanism, and the life of Leonardo da Vinci are among the dramatic events vividly documented in this richly illustrated text. Challenging map exercises and provocative review questions encourage meaningful reflection and historical analysis. Tests and answer keys are included. Grades 7-12. 32 pages. Learn More

"The Reformation" (1500—1650) provides an overview of the European world from the late-15th to the mid-17th century. From Columbus's discovery of the New World to the grisly beheading of England's Charles I, the Reformation was a period of restless exploration, and often bloody, religious and political protest. Martin Luther, William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth, and the Italian astronomer Galileo are among the historic figures vividly described in this richly illustrated text. Challenging map exercises and provocative review questions encourage meaningful reflection and historical analysis. Tests and answer keys are included. Grades 7-12. 32 Pages. Learn More

The Pharaohs of Anc Egypt Learn More

(1945. . .) The Modern World covers the period from the end of World War II to the present. The rebuilding of postwar Europe, the advent of the Cold War, space exploration, the collapse of Soviet communism, and the explosion of advanced technologies in the late 20th century figure prominently in this volume. Also discussed are the contributions and influence of historic personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nikita Khrushchev, Mikhail Gorbachev, and American presidents from Harry Truman to Bill Clinton. Challenging map exercises and provocative review questions encourage meaningful reflection and historical analysis. Grades 7-12. 32 pages. Learn More

This single indispensable volume lively narrates the full story of the thousand years between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance. With exceptional grace and wit, this author vividly reconstructs this distinctive era of European history. Softcover. 325 pages. Learn More

This supplemental reader by Edmund J. Carpenter tells the story of the establishment of the Plymouth colony. Huddled aboard a small ship plowing the Atlantic, 102 passengers sailed their way into history in 1620. Carpenter's well-researched narrative captures the physical hardships, spiritual challenges, and emotional toll William Bradford, Miles Standish, Samuel Fuller, William Brewster, and other Mayflower voyagers experienced as they struggled to found a Christian settlement in an untamed land. Young people will understand the true motivations and struggles of the Pilgrims as they read this book. It contains several pictures and illustrations. From Christian Liberty Press. Grade: 9th - 12th Softbound Book, 117 pages Learn More

It was Ben Franklin who coined the phrase, "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God," and if any historical drama fulfills that maxim, it is surely the saga of King John and the drafting of the Magna Charta. Out of the rich turbulence of English history, June 15, 1215 stands apart as a significant milestone in the progress of human liberty. On that day, a brave band of barons, led by the noble Stephen Langton, and calling themselves the Army of God, stood up to the wicked King John and demanded that he restore the ancient laws of England that he had so unabashedly trampled underfoot. The era is a rollicking one filled with colorful characters like Robin Hood and his Merry Men, Richard the Lionheart, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, and many more. Newbery and Caldecott medal-winner James Daugherty brings his own passion for freedom's story to this wonderful saga of the thirteenth century. Daugherty devotes the last part of the book to a history of the "documents" of freedom—what he calls the "Children of the Magna Charta"—demonstrating how liberty has progressed over the ages. Two-color illustrations by the author enhance the drama of this text. 181 pgs Learn More

The Landing of the Pilgrims Learn More

Examine the technological and social changes brought about by the machine age in Europe and the United States in this social studies activity book for the middle grades. Activities, maps, puzzles, quizzes, and a time line are included.

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The People and Technology That Changed the World, with 21 Activities

By Cheryl Mullenbach

This blend of authoritative historic overview and human interest stories recounts one of the most important eras in American history This educational activity book introduces young readers to the Industrial Revolution through the people, places, and inventions of the time, from the incredibly wealthy Rockefellers and Carnegies and the dingy and dangerous factories of the day to the creation of new forms of transportation and communication. By recounting this fascinating period in American history through the eyes of everyday workers, kids, sports figures, and social activists whose names never appeared in history books—including Hannah Montague, who revolutionized the clothing industry with her highly popular detachable collars and cuffs and Clementine Lamadrid, who either helped save starving New Yorkers or scammed the public into contributing to her one-cent coffee stands—this book helps tell the human stories of the Industrial Revolution. Twenty-one engaging and fun crosscurricular activities bring the times and technologies to life and allow for readers to make an assembly line sandwich, analyze the interchangeable parts of a common household fixture, weave a placemat, tell a story through photographs, and much more. Additional resources featured include books to read, places to visit, and websites to explore.

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"The Industrial Revolution" (1760—1870) covers the century of extraordinary inventiveness and unprecedented industrial and economic growth which began in mid-18th-century England and spread throughout Europe and the United States. Notable inventions discussed include the steam engine—which revolutionized transportation and international commerce—and the spinning jenny, which led to the mechanization of textile production and the development of the factory system. Special emphasis is given to the dramatic social, political, and economic effects of industrialization including its ill effects on family life and the birth of socialism. Challenging map exercises and provocative review questions encourage meaningful reflection and historical analysis. Tests and answer keys included. Grades 7-12. 32 pages. Learn More