Nasty Past

Crimes and criminals of yesteryear are an absorbing way to attract readers to learning about history. Pirates seeking treasure, gunslingers of the Wild West, and clever criminal masterminds are the focus of this high-interest volume. Readers will love learning who was clapped in irons, thrown into dungeons, and sentenced to the gallows. Captivating artwork and photographs complement the accessible narrative, which transports young historians back in time.

Military history is a source of fascination for many young historians, but war is a truly gruesome part of history. From knights in suits of armor to the flying aces of the world wars, this eye-opening volume offers a comprehensive look at one part of humankind's "nasty past." Readers examine the evolution of warfare. Along with riveting facts about deadly weapons and military maneuvers, readers will learn why certain wars were waged and the events that brought one side victory and the other defeat. Historical artwork and photographs of artifacts are featured throughout this absorbing book.

Certain disasters have left such an indelible mark on history that people never tire of learning about them and wanting to discover more details. That's true of the dreadful disasters in this captivating book, which describes what happened in a sensitive and accessible way. As riveted readers learn about history's biggest catastrophes, they'll feel like they're on the scene, including the deck of the Titanic and at the foot of an explosive volcano. Vivid photographs throughout the exciting design bring the nasty past to the present.

Modern medicine is such a marvel that it's hard to imagine how deadly it was to live in the past. Sometimes it was hard to stay alive, especially in the care of an ancient doctor. Readers will learn about deadly diseases such as the many plagues that killed off millions in the Middle Ages. They'll discover just how little people knew about the spread of illness and its prevention. Historical artwork supports the intriguing, gruesome details, and will make readers thankful they live in the modern world.