Early History

Today it's routine to take photos from an airplane window, use a camera underwater, or watch a movie or view an X-ray. But the photographic innovations more than a century ago that made such things possible were experimental, revelatory, and sometimes dangerous. In Flashes of Brilliance, New York Times photo editor Anika Burgess engagingly blends art, science, and social history to reveal the most dramatic developments in photography from its birth in the 1830s to the early twentieth century.

In 1779, Shawnees from Chillicothe, a community in the Ohio country, told the British, "We have always been the frontier." Their statement challenges an oft-held belief that American Indians derive their unique identities from longstanding ties to native lands. By tracking Shawnee people and migrations from 1400 to 1754, Stephen Warren illustrates how Shawnees made a life for themselves at the crossroads of empires and competing tribes, embracing mobility and often moving willingly toward violent borderlands.

In an extraordinary saga of nations locked in war, master storyteller Harry Turtledove tells the story of World War II, which begins over Czechoslovakia rather than Poland, eleven months earlier than it really came. Now comes the final installment in Turtledove's landmark World War II series. Hitler's Plan A was to win in a hurry, striking hard and deep into France. There was no Plan B. Now the war grinds on, and countries have been forced into strange alliances.

Beginning with Charlemagne, the great and educated king who would serve as an inspiration for world leaders from Frederick II to Adolf Hitler, the Holy Roman Empire’s intricate ties with the Roman Catholic Church would provide for plenty of excitement and drama in its early years. However, as the empire staggered through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, it would eventually be forced to declare its allegiance with a new way of thinking: Protestantism.

The Jewish sect which ascribed Jesus the title of Messiah was eventually transformed into a non-Jewish movement wholly separated from its Jewish context. The transformation was not instantaneous, and there were deviating or at the least parallel streams of Jesus supporters early on. A critical mistake which has been made, in my opinion, is the assumption that the Jesus movement was uniform even among its early Jewish followers. Analyzing the original movement(s) in the first centuries of the Common Era can reveal how the schism between Judaism and Christianity evolved.

No sport has been more associated with America’s sense of itself, with its identity, than baseball. No sport has been so inextricably bound with America’s traditions—with its notions of democracy and fair play—than baseball. And no professional sport in America has been as dramatically connected to social change as Major League Baseball when it became racially integrated the moment Jackie Robinson took the field with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947.

Who was Priscilla? Readers of the Bible may know her as the wife of Aquila, Paul's coworker, or someone who explained baptism to Apollos. Biblical references to Priscilla spark questions: Why is she mentioned before her husband? Does the mention of her instruction of Apollos mean that women taught in the church? What is her story?

A historical adventure book set in the Libyan Desert during the early 20th century. Gritty and richly detailed, Oasis Mirage offers an unprecedented look into one of the world's most mysterious and inhospitable regions, brought to life through the eyes of an intrepid explorer. Among the endless series of travelogues about Egypt, Oasis Mirage stands apart by delving into the enigmatic Libyan Desert. Spanning nearly a million square miles, this largely uncharted territory presents a formidable challenge for our protagonist, who is determined to unlock its secrets. Journeying through this ...

What Shall We Do Today? Father's Day Magic - A Time-Travel Adventure for Young Readers Perfect for Father's Day Reading & Year-Round Learning! Join three best friends on a magical journey through time to discover the heartwarming origins of Father's Day! When curious 7-year-old Imani, enthusiastic Tommy, and knowledge-loving Maya find mysterious glowing tools, they're transported back to 1908 West Virginia to meet Grace Golden Clayton—the woman who organized the very first Father's Day service. Through magical adventures spanning from 1908 to 1910, these young heroes help create a holiday...

There are plenty of other elements about real-life pirates that are simply fiction. But what about the real history of pirates - is it worth exploring, and why? The history of the Golden Age of Piracy, the one that has shaped the modern conception of a pirate, is complex and long, with lots of information to cover.

Kindle the Unseen: Discover the Resilient Spirit of the Huguenots In Times of Darkness, the Brightest Flames of Faith Are Kindled Have you ever pondered how, in the direst epochs of religious persecution, certain communities not only survive but spiritually thrive? "Flames of Faith: The Huguenot Spirit in the Face of Adversity" dives deep into this phenomenon through the lens of the Huguenots during one of history's darkest periods.Envision a World Wrapped in Peril Yet Radiating with an Unshakable Strength This isn't merely a recount of history; it's an exploration into how, amidst looming ...

He was seven years old when the crown was placed on his head—and for the next forty-two years, he ruled one of the most powerful empires on earth. Theodosius II for Beginners: The Boy Emperor Who Shaped the Christian World is your invitation into the life of the emperor who didn't march with armies or shout from chariots—but quietly rewrote the rules of empire, law, and faith from inside the palaces of Constantinople. This is not another story about Rome falling. It's the story of how it endured. Discover how a child emperor became the architect of the longest-lasting empire in history....

In the early 1920s, members of the Osage Nation and others began to turn up dead, and in many cases, the proceeds of oil revenue owned by these people passed to white “Guardians” appointed by the federal government. By 1925, at least 24 Osage had died in unexplained circumstances, and some accounts suggest that the actual number may have been over 100. Local law enforcement seemed unable (or perhaps unwilling) to investigate effectively, and it was left to a small bureau in Washington to undertake their first homicide investigation.

The Birth of the Republic of Ireland: The History of Ireland’s Split from the British Empire in the Early 20th Century analyzes the tumultuous events that marked Irish history during the early 20th century. You will learn about Ireland in the early 20th century like never before.

Before the rise of the World Wide Web and high-speed internet, a different online world existed. In the 1980s and early 1990s, services like CompuServe, Prodigy, and America Online (AOL) offered a first taste of digital connectivity to millions of Americans. Before the Web: The Rise and Fall of America's Dial-Up Empires takes you back to this fascinating era, exploring the technology, the companies, and the culture of those early online communities. Discover the screeching tones of dial-up modems, the allure of chat rooms and early email, and the innovation that paved the way for the ...

Los Angeles, 1934. In the throes of the Great Depression, the motion picture industry is producing some blockbuster hits that will stand the test of time for a century to come. And yet, while studios like RKO, MGM, Paramount, and Warner Bros. are turning out box office smashes, Malcolm Kenilworth’s underdog Sentinel Ridge Pictures is barely making ends meet… at risk of becoming a statistic amidst the landscape of economic despair that’s gripping the country. Add to that, the looming threat of increased censorship with the upcoming rigid enforcement of the Hays Code… and it’s ...

Most scientists believe the evolution of humans has a history nearly as long as life itself. Anatomically modern humans and all other life that has existed on the planet first came about from the single-celled microorganisms that emerged approximately four billion years ago. Through the processes of mutation and natural selection, all forms of life developed, and this continuous lineage of life makes it difficult to say precisely when one species completely separates from another.

Joe Farrell, Joe Farley, and Lawrence Knorr have combed New York and Pennsylvania for the gravesites and biographies of some of our most interesting and accomplished sports figures. Included in this volume are: Alan Ameche “The Horse” William “Willie” Law Anderson “Golf’s Forgotten Legend” Paul Arizin “Pitchin’ Paul” Don Richard “Ritchie” Ashburn “His Whiteness” De Bonneville “Bert” Bell “Modern Football’s Founding Father” Billy Conn “The Pittsburgh Kid” James “Jim” Crowley and Harry Stuhldreher “Half the Horsemen” Joe William Frazier “...

You’ll be amazed to discover the incredible leaps humanity made and how each ancient civilization flourished. Learn more about the culture, achievements, and religions of some of the world’s most famous civilizations. You will be surprised to learn just how much the six ancient civilizations in this audiobook had in common, despite being thousands of miles apart or even thousands of years apart! And you’ll be amazed when you hear how much their cultures have shaped our own societies today.

Cyprus is known for its beautiful beaches, spectacular sunsets, and wonderful climate. Vacationers by the thousands come here each year to enjoy this island of adventure and frolic. Cyprus has always been recognized for its beauty and mild climate, as well as its strategic location. Through the centuries each competing culture has left its mark on the culture we have come to know as "Cypriot." Each invading ethnic group left archaeological monuments and a rich history, and an identity that has been linked together into a mosaic of sight, sound, language, religion, and culinary delights. In ...