In an era when women worldwide had few rights and could not vote, Susan B. Anthony risked her freedom and reputation by advocating for women’s suffrage in the United States. This engaging title analyzes her 1873 speech On Women’s Right to Vote, and its simple, but powerful, assertion that women are "persons." Additional material encourages readers to compare this speech to works by Sojourner Truth, as well as more modern women’s rights advocates.
James Baldwin was an author, social critic, and activist known for his deep understanding of race and class in the United States. This book introduces readers to his speech from a 1965 debate at Cambridge University in which he argues for racial equality in the civil rights era. The social and political circumstances of the era are discussed as well as Baldwin's persuasive argument that, despite contributing to the making of the United States, African Americans are not allowed to fully participate in the American Dream.
Brief and inspiring, the Gettysburg Address is one of the best-known and most revered speeches in American history. Given on the battlefield at Gettysburg by US President Abraham Lincoln, the speech reaffirms the cause of liberty at a crucial turning point in the Civil War. Readers are introduced to the social and political circumstances of the time, the significance of the bloody battle at Gettysburg, and Lincoln's masterful skill at writing memorable speeches.
Explores the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Authoritative text, colorful illustrations, illuminating sidebars, and a "Voices from the Past" feature make this book an exciting and informative read.
Explores George Washington and the American presidency. Authoritative text, colorful illustrations, illuminating sidebars, and a "Voices from the Past" feature make this book an exciting and informative read.
Explores the establishment of the legislative branch. Authoritative text, colorful illustrations, illuminating sidebars, and a "Voices from the Past" feature make this book an exciting and informative read.
Explores the establishment of the judicial branch. Authoritative text, colorful illustrations, illuminating sidebars, and a "Voices from the Past" feature make this book an exciting and informative read.
Explores the establishment of the American colonies. Authoritative text, colorful illustrations, illuminating sidebars, and a "Voices from the Past" feature make this book an exciting and informative read.
Explores the development of the Bill of Rights. Authoritative text, colorful illustrations, illuminating sidebars, and a "Voices from the Past" feature make this book an exciting and informative read.
Explores the creation of the Constitution. Authoritative text, colorful illustrations, illuminating sidebars, and a "Voices from the Past" feature make this book an exciting and informative read.
Explores the American Revolution. Authoritative text, colorful illustrations, illuminating sidebars, and a "Voices from the Past" feature make this book an exciting and informative read.
Modern transportation lets us travel farther and faster than ever before, but these developments have come at a cost. This book explores ways we can move around without harming the planet. Case studies show how scientists are working on cleaner fuels and new forms of transportation in order to prevent pollution, which affects people’s health, and greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Find out how we can contribute by changing our own transportation habits.
The Internet gives us information at our fingertips and puts us in touch instantly with anyone in the world. It reduces our need to use paper or travel long distances to meet, but its growth has come at a cost. Find out how we can stay connected without harming ourselves or the planet in this insightful look at the Internet and social media. Case studies reveal the environmental impact of producing and discarding the computers and other devices we use to access the Internet, as well as the human toll from serious problems such as cyber bullying and online addiction.
Plastic pollution is one of the most urgent environmental problems facing our planet. This timely title shows how we can stop plastics from doing further harm. Find out what plastics are, how they are made, and why they are so widely used. Case studies reveal the negative impact of plastics, especially micro beads and single-use plastics, on the oceans and coasts, as well as in our landfills and food chains.
Modern farming allows us to buy almost any kind of food at any time of the year. But this convenience comes at a cost. This important book shows how we can farm and grow food without harming the planet. Case studies show how scientists are investigating ways to prevent the problems modern farming creates, including pollution from chemicals used for growing crops, clear cutting of rainforests to make space for grazing and farmland, and contributing to climate change by breeding more and more livestock. Useful suggestions encourage readers to find ways to reduce their food waste and packaging.
Most of our energy has come from oil, gas, and coal. Find out how we can heat and light our buildings, travel, and power our computers and devices without harming the planet in this resourceful title. Extracting resources damages the environment, and burning them contributes to global warming, harms our health, and pollutes the air and water. Case studies show how scientists are investigating renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, how to make homes and buildings more energy efficient, and how we can use less energy by changing our own behavior.
More than half the world’s population live in cities, and that number is rising. Find out how we can create buildings and cities without harming the environment in this informative title. The growth of cities can lead to overcrowding, pollution from transportation and factories, and the release of greenhouse gases from buildings. Case studies show how scientists, architects, and planners are investigating how to build more energy-efficient houses and more sustainable cities.
The World Health Organization defines Universal Health Care (UHC) as all individuals and communities receiving the health services needed without suffering financial hardship. Of the 33 developed countries in the world, 32 have some form of Universal Health Care. Over 800 million people around the world spent 10 percent or more of their household budgets on health care and a further 100 million were pushed into extreme poverty in order to pay for health care. This timely title examines what UHC is—and is not—and how it impacts the health and well-being of human communities throughout the world.
We use it every day in products as varied as prescription drugs, toys, and toothbrushes. In less than a century, plastics have become integral to our daily lives. But plastic waste also clogs Earth’s oceans and other water bodies. Research has shown that microplastics have even accumulated in our bodies. This timely book investigates our increasingly problematic use of plastics in all areas of our lives and how our attempts to curb use and mitigate the harm of plastics are not working fast enough.
A hundred years ago, marijuana was considered a threat to civil order and mental health. Today, recreational marijuana is legal in two countries: Canada and Uruguay. More countries are expected to follow—some in an attempt to reduce underage use of the drug. In the United States, marijuana is legal for recreational use in 11 states and in 33 for medical use. Legalizing Marijuana analyzes the issues related to legalization, use, misuse, and if legalized, how to address the futures of people currently convicted or serving time for marijuana-related crimes.
The 2019 college admissions scandal in the United States, where more and 50 people were involved in a $25 million dollar bribery scheme, brought the issue of equality and equity in education to public attention in a shocking way. But education equality is about more than college admissions. This thoughtful book examines the issue of public education, education equality, and the education system’s role in helping students reach their full potential for the good of all.
Once thought to be extinct in the wild, the southern white rhino is now classified as near threatened and lives mostly on protected reserves. Over 100 years of conservation efforts have made it the only rhino of the five rhino species not listed as endangered. This engaging book explores how habitat loss and relentless poaching for their horns nearly brought this species to extinction. Readers will discover how this species was saved from extinction and whether similar strategies may help other rhino species in peril.
Less than two decades ago, four Island Fox subspecies faced extinction. Human activities, including pollution and the introduction of invasive species, threw the Channel Islands’ ecosystem out of balance. Thanks to the concerted efforts of wildlife biologists, government officials, and others, the island fox has made the fastest recovery of any mammal in the history of the Endangered Species Act. This fascinating book traces the events that nearly caused the island fox’s demise, and the collaborative efforts that led to recovery of this “comeback kit.”
The California Condor is one of North America’s largest birds. These mighty scavengers were nearly wiped out by habitat loss, poaching, and lead poisoning. In 1982, only 22 California Condors remained in the wild! In this engaging book, readers will learn about the captive breeding programs, public education, and other conservation efforts that have led to a small but increasing population of California Condors in the wild.
The Grand Cayman blue iguana is named after the small island in the Caribbean Sea on which it lives. The largest reptile on the island, it had few predators until people arrived. Habitat loss and invasive species quickly diminished the blue iguana population to fewer than 25 by 2005. This captivating book traces the iguana’s remarkable journey back from the brink of extinction and highlights the continued efforts to protect the species.
