Top 101 Remarkable Women
Part of the People You Should Know series
Women have faced oppression and gender inequality throughout history. Yet despite overwhelming odds stacked against them, there have always been a brave few who challenged the status quo and wound up making great strides in a wide variety of fields. From ancient times to the present day, women have broken down barriers and emerged as influential and important political leaders, activists, scientists, writers, artists, athletes, performers, and more. This volume chronicles the lives of many ground-breaking individuals-Cleopatra, Marie Curie, Amelia Earhart, Helen Keller, Harriet Tubman, and Oprah Winfrey among them-as well as the challenges they faced as they sought to improve the human condition.
Wangari Maathai
Get to Know the Woman Who Planted Trees to Bring Change
Part of the People You Should Know series
Wangari Maathai was a fierce protector of the environment and a courageous advocate for women's rights, especially in her native country of Kenya. Her journey from a girl of rural Africa to college professor, founder of the Green Belt Movement, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate shows readers how little things can bring about big change.
Top 101 World Leaders
Part of the People You Should Know series
Political leaders have the power to effect great change and unite disparate peoples. Unfortunately, as Lord Acton and others have noted, power also can corrupt those who wield it. Throughout time, the world has witnessed the reigns of both benevolent and brutal leaders, some guiding nations to greatness and others perpetrating unspeakable atrocities. This inclusive volume examines the lives of some of history's most notable and notorious leaders from around the globe. Readers are invited to consider the nature of governance and the qualities that define true leadership.
Steven Spielberg
Get to Know the Extraordinary Filmmaker
Part of the People You Should Know series
Steven Spielberg has changed the cinematic world with his hugely popular films. Testing out new technology, telling dramatic stories, and collaborating with successful directors, actors, and producers helped build Spielberg's reputation as a director and producer.
Stan Lee
Get to Know the Comics Creator
Part of the People You Should Know series
Stan Lee is one of the most influential people in the comic book world. The memorable heroes he created, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, the X-Men, and Daredevil, helped build Marvel Comics into the publishing powerhouse we know today.
Top 101 Philosophers
Part of the People You Should Know series
Although their methodologies, areas of focus, and conclusions may diverge greatly, all philosophers in some form or another pose questions about universal truths. These individuals have elevated discourse and changed the way we interpret the world around us. Profiles of 101 of the most noteworthy individuals in the field introduce readers to the various philosophical schools of thought, as well as the ongoing questions and debates that have occupied philosophers and non-philosophers alike for centuries.
Top 101 Athletes
Part of the People You Should Know series
Major sports stars share many traits, among them self-discipline through regimented training, competition at the highest level, and mastery of their respective sports. Embedded in the public's consciousness, these individuals can't help but make an impact on the lives of fans the world over-whether they're reaching for glory, achieving the pinnacle of success, or falling out of favor because of controversy. This exciting volume introduces readers to 101 remarkable athletes from a variety of sports, including David Beckham, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, Jackie Robinson, and Venus and Serena Williams.
Top 101 Musicians
Part of the People You Should Know series
While much in the history of music builds on what came before it, each generation witnesses musical innovations that define a genre and can endure long after their creation. The individuals profiled in this lively volume have been responsible for some of the most inspired and lasting works in the history of music, those that have remained timeless even as musical styles, genres, instruments, and technologies have evolved. The stories of such icons as Guido D'Arezzo, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, and Adele, among many others, are concisely presented, along with descriptions of their greatest contributions to music.
Top 101 Artists
Part of the People You Should Know series
The influence of art on culture and society at large is irrefutable, and the 101 artists included in this book are some of the most recognizable names in the history of Western art. These biographies will help readers gain entry to the lives of many of the individuals who have defined art in its various mediums throughout the ages. Photographers, painters, and sculptors are among those included, making these profiles a must-read for fans of any genre of the visual arts. Photographs of the artists and images of their pieces serve as visually stunning complements to the details of their personal stories, influences, and their contributions to the world of art.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Get to Know the Justice Who Speaks Her Mind
Part of the People You Should Know series
Growing up, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was no stranger to being treated unfairly. After all, she was female and Jewish--two groups that faced discrimination at the time. But Ruth worked hard in school, finished first in her class, and eventually became only the second woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. She continues to stand up for the underdog, including fighting for women's rights and fair treatment of workers.
Stephen Hawking
Get to Know the Man Behind the Theory
Part of the People You Should Know series
Stephen Hawking was one of the greatest minds of our time. His theories about the universe have changed the way we think about black holes and the Big Bang. Learn more about the physicist on wheels who traveled the world.
Michelle Obama
Get to Know the Influential First Lady and Education Advocate
Part of the People You Should Know series
The first black First Lady in U.S. history (and one of the most beloved), Michelle Obama brought intelligence and passion to her role. Readers will learn how her years as a daughter, student, lawyer, wife, and mother shaped her into the influential education, healthy living, and women's rights advocate she is today.
Malcolm X
Get to Know the Civil Rights Activist
Part of the People You Should Know series
Malcolm X is known as a leader of the civil rights movement. He faced racism, spent time in prison, became a minister, joined the Nation of Islam, left, took a pilgrimage to Mecca, traveled the world, and became a public figure before his assassination. Explore how his words shaped the civil rights movement and the people who called him a leader.
Anne Frank
Get to Know the Girl Beyond Her Diary
Part of the People You Should Know series
Shortly after her 13th birthday, Anne Frank and her family were forced into hiding. It was World War II and the German Nazis were rounding up Jewish people and killing them or sending them to work in horrible camps. During her time in hiding, Anne wrote about the experience in her diary. What was the fate of Anne and her family? What became of her diary? Find the answers to these questions and more in Anne Frank: Get to Know the Girl Beyond Her Diary.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Get to Know the Rising Politician
Part of the People You Should Know series
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, often known as AOC, wrote her name in the history books in 2018 when she became the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress. Her fearless, meteoric rise from paycheck-to-paycheck to the House of Representatives and her tireless advocacy for a world inclusive of all peoples will fascinate readers.
Mohamed Salah
Get to Know the Soccer Superstar
Part of the People You Should Know series
Mohamed Salah has competed at the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. His speed, smarts, and skill have made him a top player on soccer fields around the world. Meet this top-scoring footballer as he strikes at victory.
Elizabeth Warren
Get to Know the Persistent Politician
Part of the People You Should Know series
Elizabeth Warren was the first woman senator elected in Massachusetts in 2013. But before she took that role, she was a respected professor of law. She has no fear of speaking up when she sees something she feels is wrong. Learn more about this powerful voice in the United States Senate.
John Lewis
Get to Know the Statesman Who Marched for Civil Rights
Part of the People You Should Know series
John Lewis knew that treating someone differently because of the color of their skin was unfair and wrong. In his early 20s, he decided to do something about it. During the struggle for equal treatment, Lewis faced many beatings and was arrested around 40 times. But he would become one of the most influential leaders in the civil rights movement. He continues that work today.
Ruby Bridges
Get to Know the Girl Who Took a Stand for Education
Part of the People You Should Know series
Ruby Bridges was just six years old when she was chosen to be the first (and only) black child in the all-white William Frantz Elementary School. At the time, Ruby was too young to understand how the simple act of attending school would change the lives of many to come. Her courageous act left the legacy that given a chance, anyone at any age can make a difference in the world.
Tecumseh
Get to Know the Shawnee Chief Who Fought to Protect Native Lands
Part of the People You Should Know series
Shawnee leader Tecumseh was born at a time when white settlers were moving westward across the United States and making their homes on Native American lands. Tecumseh rallied the Native American people to defend their lands. But he also dreamed of peace and worked to unite all Native Americans into a single confederacy. He did not live to see his dream become a reality, but his deeds as a warrior and statesman live on.
Dolores Huerta
Get to Know the Voice of Migrant Workers
Part of the People You Should Know series
Dolores Huerta led farm workers to demand better pay, reasonable hours, and respect on the job. She knew laws needed to be passed to protect the workers and improve their lives. Learn more about this influential activist and her fight for what was fair.
John McCain
Get to Know the Brave POW and Senator
Part of the People You Should Know series
Before he was a senator, John McCain fought in the Vietnam War and served in the House of Representatives. He ran for president of the United States in 2008. Get to know the maverick who was willing to speak his mind.
Irena Sendler
Get to Know the World War II Rescuer
Part of the People You Should Know series
Irena Sendler was a social worker who wanted to help people. World War II left many vulnerable. Irena helped them get medical care and necessities to live. Then she took the greatest risk. Learn more about the woman who smuggled Jewish children to safety.
Cesar Chavez
Get to Know the Leader Who Won Rights for Workers
by Rebecca Langston-George
Part of the People You Should Know series
As a child, Cesar Chavez's family lost its farm. Cesar never forgot how that felt, so as an adult, he fought for the rights of farm workers. His efforts shined a light on the conditions farm workers faced. In the struggle for fair wages and labor laws to protect farm workers, Chavez had a lasting impact beyond the fields.