Great Race: Fight to the Finish

The nuclear arms race was a competition for supremacy in nuclear weaponry between the United States, the Soviet Union, and their allies during the Cold War. This significant volume outlines how dangerous this race really was, detailing its historical origins as well as the science behind nuclear technology, and stresses the consequences of a nuclear war-reflected in the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, at the end of World War II. Though the Soviet Union is no more, readers will find out how nuclear power is still being used-and misused-around the world.

Historians are often divided into two camps when asked to name the first person to circumnavigate the world; there are those who say Ferdinand Magellan was, while others argue the victor was Francis Drake. Readers will learn the controversies surrounding these 16th-century captains and their infamous journeys. They'll learn about the political intrigues and economic incentives to find a route and the lasting effects of the expeditions. Besides containing the thrilling accounts of Magellan's and Drake's adventures, this beguiling book's historical images, maps, sidebars, and timeline complement social studies and geography curricula.

When the Soviet Union's satellite Sputnik 1 entered Earth's orbit in 1957, people in the United States demanded that Americans "catch up" with space technology. The Space Race between the two world superpowers had begun. This authoritative volume explains how the technology developed, who developed it, and the tragedies and triumphs that led to the success of Apollo 11 and subsequent missions. It also addresses the advances of space travel today and the possibility of colonization in outer space. Readers will appreciate the many crucial STEM concepts and eye-catching images included in this gripping account.

A railroad across the United States was once thought to be nearly impossible. The vast expanse from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans had so many obstacles, including towering mountain ranges and broad rivers. However, the 1862 Pacific Railroad Act tasked two railroad companies-the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific-with building a transcontinental railroad to link the coasts. How they managed to meet finally in 1869 is the important account detailed in this well-researched volume. Readers will learn about key characters, such as engineer Theodore Judah and investor Leland Stanford, and the innovations and technologies that made their extraordinary feat a reality.

E. D. Cope and O. C. Marsh were 19th-century paleontologists whose friendship couldn't withstand their professional rivalry. Their competitive natures led to the frenzied unearthing of hundreds of dinosaur fossils across North America, many of which can still be seen in museums around the world. The captivating tale of these scientists unfolds in this absorbing book, which also includes a timeline, sidebars, and fact boxes offering much information about paleontology, dinosaurs, and excavations as well as photographs and images to further elucidate essential science concepts.

The popularity of motorsports hasn't waned since the advent of the automobile. In fact, some races began for the sole purpose of getting people interested in driving cars for the first time, such as the Peking-to-Paris race of 1907. This wide-ranging book, full of dynamic photographs, is an intriguing historical look at the world of racing, but also offers valuable information about the competitions of today, such as the Indy 500. Readers will love finding out about the famous figures of the racing circuit as well as learning about different kinds of races and racecars.