Series Descriptions

America’s Moving Frontier

From the beginning, Americans have pushed westward across the vast North American continent. Understanding the history of that expansion, and the long, bloody conflict between the European settlers and the native peoples, is critical to understanding how the United States became the nation it is today. Westward expansion is part of most U.S. history curricula, and these books will provide students a more precise look at this piece of history.

American Business Leaders

An understanding of how the U.S. economy developed is too often ignored in school curriculum. These 100+ page biographies of the major figures in American industrial and technological development provide today's students a way to expand their knowledge of this critical aspect of American life, and will stimulate the imaginations of the next generation of entrepreneurs and executives.

American Originals

America has been blessed with a wide array of great writers. These biographies of several of the most notable nineteenth- and twentieth-century authors introduces today's students to some of America’s most unique voices.

American Workers

The rapid industrial development that the United States experienced after the Civil War made some people incredibly wealthy. But many thousands more found themselves forced from the farm to work in giant factories, mines, and textile sweatshops, where little attention was paid to their safety or the quality of their lives. By the last decade of the nineteenth century, a labor movement had emerged that demanded better treatment for workers. This new series uses the most dramatic episodes in the development of the American labor movement to tell this often tragic, but ultimately triumphant, story for a new generation of students.

Civil Rights Movement

This new series, a complement to our highly praised Civil Rights Leaders series, recreates the central events in the civil rights movement through dramatic, thorough narratives. A continuing series, it covers not only the famous marches and boycotts of the 1950s and 1960s, but also the earlier events that served to point out the tragic, sometimes murderous, consequences of Jim Crow in the South, as well other parts of the country.

Civil Rights Leaders

While some of the leaders of the civil rights movement have entered the pantheon of American heroes, others have yet to receive their due recognition. This continuing series combines biographies of the lesser known with the more famous, and provides young adult readers a more thorough appreciation of the committed champions for racial justice.

Civil War Generals

The history of the American Civil War has often been told, but these full-color, 100+ page biographies take an in-depth look at the major generals on both sides. Their life stories are placed in the military and political context of that bloody, tragic conflict, and are sure to inform and intrigue students of U.S. history, as well as general readers.

Classical Composers

These full-color biographies of some of the greatest classical composers range from the early days of baroque through the romantic era of the nineteenth century.

European Queens

The European Queens series is composed of comprehensive biographies of some of Europe’s most important queens, ranging from England to Russia.

Feminist Voices

The women's movement continues to alter U.S. society. These continuous biographies capture the life stories of the pioneers of this vital movement.

First Battles

Both the Civil War and the U.S. involvement in the long Vietnam conflict were sparked by decisive and controversial opening conflicts. The events in Charleston harbor in April 1861, and in the Tonkin Gulf in August 1964, help to explain how these bloody wars played out, and are necessary reading for anyone hoping to understand how the United States might go to war in the future.

Founders of the Republic

Founders of the Republic focuses on the life stories of some of the most critical figures in the establishment of the United States.

Modern Music Masters

These musicians helped to create and revolutionize the music we enjoy today.

Political Profiles

The U.S. political system is always producing new and aspiring leaders. Some of these men and women become long-term fixtures on the political scene, while others fade into relative obscurity. This new series is designed to introduce the most prominent contemporary politicians to a new generation of voters.

Profiles in Science

Profiles in Science is an ongoing series of biographies of the world’s most important scientists. Unrestricted by nationality, gender, or era, many of the figures, such as Marie Curie and Isaac Newton, are household names, while others, such as Rosalind Franklin, are only recently beginning to get credit for their achievements. Each book is written in clear, decisive prose and provides ample resources that will help students continue their research into these vital and intriguing scientific achievers.

Social Critics and Reformers

These dedicated and often flamboyant activists spent their lives working to make the U. S. more equitable for everyone.

The Story of Mexico

The history of the United States and Mexico has been intertwined since the founding of the first European colonies. This sometimes volatile relationship continues today with the current debate over immigration, free trade, and other controversial issues. This new series, written in a vivid narrative style, brings to life the dramatic events and fascinating characters that created modern Mexico, and provides insight on how this proud country may develop in decades to come.

Whaleship

Full-color illustrations, maps, and period drawings are woven seamlessly with first-hand accounts in this true-life adventure story. A stand-alone book, The Great Whaleship Disaster of 1871 is an honest-to-goodness page turner that will appeal to reluctant readers, young readers of adventure fiction—and to adult readers, as well.

Women Adventurers

Over the centuries, certain women gave resisted the pressure to live the narrow lives dictated to them by society. Some of these women took to the sea as pirates; others flew planes or traveled in the jungles and highlands of unexplored regions seeking adventure. This new, continuing series from Morgan Reynolds will capture these stories in full biographies or in collections of chapter biographies.

World Leaders

The World Leaders series includes biographies of a diverse group of powerful individuals. Some of these figures dominated their own countries or conquered huge sections of the globe; others never attained full political power but left a lasting influence. Some rose to prominence by democratic means; others were dictators who seized power by force. Some dreamed of bringing peace and prosperity to the world; others plunged the world into horror and violence—a few did both. Each of these life stories is told in clear prose that places the individual within the context of his or her time.

Writers of Imagination

Writers have long used the devices of science fiction, fantasy, and horror to create an entertaining way to incorporate political, social, and spiritual ideas into their work. Young adult readers are often attracted to these genres, and a deeper understanding of these well-known writers will help them to grasp the themes and deeper meanings in some of their favorite works.

World Writers

Imagination and creative genius know no national boundaries. The new World Writers series is a continuation of our earlier award-winning biographies of the storytellers and artists who have influenced literature throughout the world. These new volumes are longer, more comprehensive, and beautifully illustrated.

20th Century Leaders

These biographies of presidents, cabinet secretaries and civil rights activists introduce young readers to some of the most vital people in American history.