National Geographic Shorts

Author James Robertson, one of America's most respected Civil War scholars and storytellers whose weekly talks about little-known people and events of the Civil War aired for 15 years on National Public Radio, brings history to life here in a collection of unexpected and true stories revealing the events that took place as great events unfolded. He explores such gripping subjects as the post-battle horrors of the wounded, the destruction of Robert E. Lee's aura of invincibility, and the invention of a new way to remove the wounded from the battlefield. In addition, an introductory overview of the Civil War traces the major events of the conflict year by year. Painstakingly researched and deeply personal, this ebook offers a unique reading experience for the millions of Civil War buffs and all those interested in the previously untold stories behind this great chapter in America's past.

National Geographic pairs gripping and gruesome stories of shark attacks with cutting edge research to illuminate a fascinating underwater world that few truly understand. Sharks are the world's most fascinating predators-capable of detecting a single drop of blood in 25 million drops of ocean and sensing electricity emitted by their prey. This eBook short takes readers deep into the realm of the very latest shark science, including new insights into the nature of shark attacks around the world.

Three riveting essays by some of National Geographic magazine's most highly esteemed writers explore the canine-human relationship and what scientists are learning from dogs. "Dogs and people, people and dogs: It's a love story so old no one knows how it started," wrote Angus Phillips in "Wolf to Woof." Filled with cutting edge research covering everything from domestication, breeding, and the bonds of devotion, these linked stories are custom-selected for everyone who loves dogs. Filled with amazing facts, colorful anecdotes and accessible science, this affordable ebook provides a fascinating guide to some of the world's most beloved creatures.

Join National Geographic and bestselling author Jean-Pierre Isbouts to investigate ten enduring mysteries of Jesus in this original ebook short. Who was the unnamed "Beloved Disciple" who leaned on Jesus during the Last Supper? What did the Holy Grail look like-and could it possibly still exist? What do alternative tales of Jesus' life, not included in the New Testament, suggest about early Christianity? From the extraordinary circumstances of Jesus' birth to the latest analysis of the Shroud of Turin, Isbouts consults with the world's leading scholars to shed new light on the mysteries that surround the extraordinary story of Jesus' life.

National Geographic's guide to 36 "super" herbs such as aloe, echinacea, ginkgo, and peppermint includes a wealth of essential information on the history, culture, folklore, and science of traditional and contemporary herbal medicine in all major culture areas of the world. Emphasizing current research and therapeutic uses, the volume provides an A-Z listing of 36 of the more than 80,000 known medicinal plants around the world. Information about each plant includes traditional and current medicinal uses, common and Latin names, description, habitat, cultivation and preparation, research, and caution alerts. Additional essays on the healing plants of Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Central and South America, China, Europe, India, North America, the Middle East, and Oceania provide insightful glimpses into the fascinating range and diversity of local health practices while also revealing the multifaceted roles that herbalists, healers, and herbal-medicine practitioners play in the lives of their patients.

Severe weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes have increased fourfold in the last two decades, shaking the foundations of our existence. Weather-related tragedies have fascinated humans throughout time. For those who loved The Perfect Storm and Krakatoa, the millions who log onto daily weather forecasting sites and check weather apps, and people who can't get enough front-page headlines of global natural disasters. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, floods, forest fires, blizzards, and thunderstorms: National Geographic explores the deadliest of these disasters throughout history and arms you with ways to protect yourself from chaos and destruction. From the 1906 earthquake that flattened San Francisco and the morbid 1889 flash flood that wiped out the entire town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to the Superstorm of 1993 that blanketed Florida in snow and the more recent East Coast and Gulf Coast ravages of hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, the destructive force and human tragedy both fascinates and horrifies. In addition to these gripping stories, NGS provides practical tips for surviving at home and weathering the lethal strength of these events if caught outside.

This National Geographic health book provides portable answers to treating common ailments using proven natural therapies. Runny nose, watery eyes, sinus headache? Don't reach for the Claritin. Instead, learn how to treat seasonal allergies with nasal lavage, a time-honored practice. Upset stomach? Forget chalky antacids; instead wear an acupressure wrist band or chew on a teaspoon of fennel, favored by Indians for combating the effects of spicy food. Fight insomnia with valerian root, the leading natural herb to promote quality sleep with no side effects. Sections include: · Acupressure (use a wrist band to relieve motion sickness, soothe sore feet, treat constipation, relieve wrist tension, alleviate headaches and neck tension, and more) · Aromatherapy (De-stress in the tub, relieve a headache, scent a room to create a mood, mix a body oil, make a compress, and more) · Ayurvedic Medicine (learn the Sanskrit history of "the science of life and longevity," how to evaluate practitioners, about ayurvedic "energy prints," and more) · Breath Therapy (Relax with Wu, Do the 4-7-8 relaxation breath, strengthen diaphragm muscles, use the 20-Cycle Breath to improve concentration, and more) · Herbs (Fennel, Peppermint, Valerian Root, Chamomile) · Hydrotherapy (drink the correct amount of water for your body, fight a cold, treat a bruise, rub away fatigue, soothe a sunburn, and more) · Massage Therapy (learn quickie massages to do on yourself to: release facial tension, relax your shoulders, help your hands, and release your lower back) · Meditation (specific exercises designed to focus on your breath, chant, focus on touch, be mindful) · Nasal Lavage and Steam Therapy (clears sinuses, relieves congestion) · Qigong (a five-minute meditation to focus your qi energy, learn and practice the simple eight postures of qigong) · Reflexology (follow instructions to perform a simple reflexology treatment that can be done anywhere to relax and invigorate your hand

On the 100th anniversary of Titanic's sinking, National Geographic revisits the romance, glory, and tragedy of this tremendous ship and presents an insider's look at the new findings about the passengers and scientific study of the wreck site. For 100 years the great ship Titanic has rested in its final grave on the ocean floor, lost to deep ocean darkness until its 1985 discovery by National Geographic's Bob Ballard. Relive the spell-binding tragic final hours of the ship in a detailed retelling of the famous story and learn the personal stories of lesser-known passengers, including the "guarantees." For the first time since its discovery, Ballard travels to Belfast to interview descendants of the ship builders and the "guarantee group"-the ill-fated men who traveled on the ship's first voyage to assure its seaworthiness. Understand underwater mapping techniques that have brought Titanic's debris field into high resolution, and get a glimpse of current deep ocean scientific research on the wreckage and the future of underwater exploration.