History's Greatest Rivals

Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr came from differing backgrounds, but rose to great stature in the years following the American Revolution. As Secretary to the Treasury, Hamilton tackled the fragile finances of the new nation. Burr became the third US vice president in 1800. Readers may wonder how two such prominent men wound up in a duel that ultimately took Hamilton's life and ended Burr's political career. This is the engrossing account of the incidents that led to that fateful morning in 1804. Background information of the era, a timeline, quotes, and historical paintings enhance readers' understanding of the post-revolutionary country.

The legacies of Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill stand in stark contrast. While Churchill is touted as the tenacious hero who refused to let Great Britain fall to the enemy, Hitler will forever be reviled for his oppressive dictatorship of Germany. Readers will learn what happened when these two leaders came head-to-head during World War II. Astonishing historic photographs underscore the biographical information included in the text as well as the effects of the war on Europe and the rest of the world. This valuable volume, which includes a timeline of the war's key moments, is an engaging examination of this era.

General Ulysses S. Grant led the North's Union army to victory, but Confederate general Robert E. Lee proved time and again he was a brilliant military strategist. Readers may be surprised at what they don't know about these two historic American Civil War leaders. For example, Lee was offered command of the Union armies, and Grant was once thought not fit for military duty at all. Readers will review battles that decided the conflict and consider the heavy toll of the deadly war. Vivid paintings, photographs, and illustrations bring this time period to life, while interesting quotations offer primary-source recollections of the topic, an essential part of the elementary social studies and history curriculum.

For seven days in October 1962, the world held its breath. The Soviet Union and the United States were on the brink of a nuclear war. The two men in the center of the conflict, the Cuban Missile Crisis, were US president John F. Kennedy and Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev. Readers will discover what events led to the crisis, how it was resolved, and the aftermath for the two world leaders and their countries. Primary-source quotations and photographs of unfolding events increase readers' suspense, while a timeline and bulleted facts present a comprehensible account of this important historic event.

The passage of the Eighteenth Amendment in 1920 ushered in the era of Prohibition. It also induced many crime syndicates to produce and distribute alcohol. It was during this time that the infamous crime boss Al Capone rose to power through violence, cunning, and widespread bribery of government officials. Capone would ultimately meet his match in the "untouchable" Eliot Ness of the Prohibition Bureau. The story of how Ness took on Capone and the seedy underworld of Chicago will captivate readers from start to finish. Exceptional photographs and a colorful layout make this high-interest volume a compelling glimpse into a unique time period in US history.

Although we rarely consider it today, it was remarkable that the small forces of the American colonies were the victors of the American Revolution. After all, England was the most powerful nation in the world at that time. This entertaining volume, an appealing way to present the important facts surrounding the Revolution, takes readers into the biographies of the Founding Fathers as well as George III and his advisors. The crucial events and decisions that ultimately led to England's loss are presented in an accessible narrative that will appeal to young historians and Revolutionary War buffs alike.