Politician Al Gore has lent both his voice and his political influence in the fight against global warming. His work and creative energy have earned him numerous forms of public recognition, most notably the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
Ed Begley, Jr. is a Hollywood actor, who inspires, entertains, and motivates a new generation of environmental activists, fans, and consumers with his all-encompassing green lifestyle. Whether he is promoting his own line of green products, lending his voice to further environmental awareness and action, or walking the walk of the life he touts in his own solar-powered home, the star of Living with Ed is constantly on the lookout for ways to live more green - and get others onboard in the process.
David Suzuki is a prominent environmental activist. Throughout his adult life, he has been the creative force behind numerous television shows on science and the environment. He has used his voice to advocate for the environment and to take to task political leaders whose action and inaction have been part of the problem behind the global warming crisis.
Rachel Carson was a marine writer, biologist, and ecologist whose work inspired millions to take seriously the danger that human activity poses to the environment. She both revealed the wonders of the natural world and exposed the sinister threat to that world posed by DDT and other pesticides.
At a time when much of the United States was still racially segregated, Jackie Robinson smashed the color barrier to become the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. Born in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers, Robinson excelled in sports throughout his school years. After serving briefly in the army during WWII, he briefly played ball in the Negro Leagues. At about the same time, a handful of all-white Major League teams paid lip service to trying out black players. But it was when Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 that he became a part of what would be called "The Noble Experiment." Outspoken in the past when it came to racial injustice, Robinson endured racist jeers from fans and players, and even death threats, with dignity and composure. His historic feat of crossing baseball's "color line" became a symbol in the American civil rights movement in the decades that followed.
Yo-Yo Ma is a world-class cellist who has won numerous Grammy awards and is beloved by audiences worldwide. Readers will discover how hard work and talent helped Ma rise to the top and how he uses his gifts to promote unity by bringing together musicians from around the world in his Silk Road Project.
Tiger Woods persistence, winning attitude, and passion for golf have helped make him one of the top golfers of all time. Readers will learn how Tiger uses his fame and fortune to help young people reach their full potential.
Readers will be introduced to Robert L. Johnson. They'll find out how his charisma, determination, and sharp business skills helped him earn a Master's degree from Princeton University, found one of the biggest television networks in the world, and become driving forces of the entertainment industry.
Roberto Clemente was the first Hispanic American elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Readers will learn how he used his courage and determination during the off-season to help those living in poverty in Latin America.
From the impoverished inner-city streets of Milwaukee to her own nationally syndicated talk show in Chicago, Oprah has persevered to become one of the most recognized personalities in the world. Readers will learn how her courage, kindness, and perseverance have led her to found Oprah's Angel Network, a charity whose mission is to help the underprivileged of the world.
Discover how Larry Page and Sergey Brin started out as two ordinary computer science graduate students at Stanford University, but together, created Google, the world's most powerful information search engine on the Internet. Readers will learn about the power of innovation, creativity and tech smarts.
Bono and the band U2 have delighted audiences worldwide for more than 20 years. Readers will learn about Bono's rise to pop stardom and how he continues to use his talent and charisma to help third world countries fight diseases such as AIDS and Malaria.
Discover how entrepreneur Bill Gates created Microsoft and amassed a fortune as a leader in the computer industry and then partnered with his wife Melinda Gates to found the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Readers will learn about their lives and their mission is to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty around the world.
Readers will be introduced to Andrew Carnegie and his rise from impoverished immigrant to one of the world's wealthiest industrialists. Learn how this self-made master of the American steel industry put his leadership, determination, and wealth to good use by building libraries, schools, and universities that continue to benefit people today.
Madam C. J. Walker's business skills, motivation, and determination helped her to develop a hair product and become the first African American woman millionaire. Readers will learn how those same skills also helped her reach out and help people living in poverty and speak out against injustice.
Ellen Ochoa's has a passion for engineering, space, and science. Readers will find out how Ochoa used this passion to earn a doctorate from Stanford and become the first Hispanic American female in space. Learn how she uses this passion to inspire students of all ages to work hard in school and follow their dreams.
This entertaining book follows the travels of Italian merchant and adventurer Marco Polo who traveled across Asia. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in a tabloid-news style that guides readers through major journeys, explorations, and discoveries. Topics include what led Polo to travel to China, the Silk Road, life in Central Asia, the Chinese empire, Polo's famous book, and his legacy.
This entertaining book follows the travels of Americans Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, explorers of the American West. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in an entertaining tabloid style that guides readers through a voyage of discovery. Topics include what led Lewis and Clark to become explorers, colonies in North America, The Corps of Discovery, and Sacagawea.
This engaging book follows the travels of French nobleman Sieur de la Salle who expanded the fur trade in North Americathen called New Franceand explored the Mississippi River down to the Gulf of Mexico. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in a tabloid-news style that guides readers through major voyages, explorations, and discoveries. Topics include La Salles quest for a new trade route to China, life in New France, interactions with the Seneca, the fur trade, sailing down the Mississippi, and La Salle's legacy.
This exciting book follows the travels of Viking explorer Leif Eriksson from Iceland to Greenland and on to North America. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in a tabloid-news style that guides readers through major voyages, explorations, and discoveries. Topics include what led Eriksson to sail west, Viking exploration, life on Viking longships, North American settlements, and Eriksson's legacy.
This informative book follows the travels of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Len to the Caribbean and Florida. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in a tabloid-news style that guides readers through major voyages, explorations, and discoveries. Topics include Ponce de Lens trip to the New World on Columbus second voyage, being appointed a governor in the Caribbean, his actions toward the Taino people, life in the Spanish colonies, claiming Florida for Spain, and his legacy.
This engaging book follows the travels of French mapmaker and navigator Samuel de Champlain as he mapped out the St. Lawrence River and the North American Coast. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in an entertaining tabloid style. Topics include what first led Samuel de Champlain to the New World, his role as the Father of New France and the St. Lawrence River, accurate mapmaking, establishing trade networks, and the legacy of Champlain.
This fascinating book follows the travels of English explorer and sea navigator Henry Hudson. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in an entertaining tabloid style that guides readers through major voyages, explorations, and discoveries. Topics include what led Hudson to become an explorer, Northern exploration, life on sea voyages, merchant companies, and Hudsons legacy.
This engaging book follows the travels of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in an entertaining tabloid style as Columbus navigates his way to the New World. Topics include what led Columbus to become an explorer, early beliefs about the geography of the world, life on sea voyages, failed colonies, and the legacy of Columbus.
This fascinating book follows French explorer Jacques Cartier to the New World where he claimed the new territory called Canada for France. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in a tabloid-news style that guides readers through major voyages, explorations, and discoveries. Topics include what led Cartier to sail west, life on board ship, Cartier's exploration along the St. Lawrence, his interactions with the Iroquois, establishing French settlements in Canada, and Cartier's legacy.
