Spanning a period from the Spanish arrival in America to George Washington's inauguration in 1789, America's Hidden History details these episodes, among others:
<ul> <li>The story of the first real Pilgrims in America, who were wine-making French Huguenots, not dour English Separatists</li> <li>The coming-of-age story of Queen Isabella, who suggested that Columbus pack the moving mess hall of pigs that may have spread disease to many Native Americans</li> <li>The long, bloody relationship between the Pilgrims and Indians that runs counter to the idyllic scene of the Thanksgiving feast</li> <li>The little-known story of George Washington as a headstrong young soldier who committed a war crime, signed a confession, and started a war!</li> </ul>Full of color, intrigue, and human interest, America's Hidden History is an iconoclastic look at America's past, connecting some of the dots between history and today's headlines, proving why Davis is truly America's Teacher.
]]>Since the beginning of time, people have been insatiably curious. They've asked questions about where we come from, why the stars shine and the seasons change, and what constitutes evil. The imaginative answers crafted by our ancestors have served as religion, science, philosophy, and popular literature. In this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling Don't Know Much About® series, Kenneth C. Davis introduces and explains the great myths of the world using his engaging and delightfully irreverent question-and-answer style. He tackles the epic of Gilgamesh; Achilles and the Trojan War; Stonehenge and the Druids; Odin, Thor, and the entire Norse pantheon; Native American myths, and much more, including the dramatic life and times of the man who would be Buddha. From Mount Olympus to Machu Picchu, here is an insightful, lively look at the greatest stories ever told.
]]>From the ancients who charted the heavens to Star Trek, The X-Files, and Apollo 13, outer space has intrigued people through the ages. Yet most of us look up at the night sky and feel totally in the dark when it comes to the basic facts about the universe.
Kenneth C. Davis steps into that void with a lively and readable guide to the discoveries, theories, and real people who have shed light on the mysteries and wonders of the cosmos. Discover why Einstein was such a genius, the truth behind a blue moon or two, the amazing secrets of Stonehenge, and even how one great astronomer lost his nose.
With the fun question-and-answer format that has appealed to the millions of readers of his bestselling Don't Much About® series, you'll be taking off on an exciting armchair exploration of the solar system, the Milky Way, and beyond.
]]>Was Columbus the first European in the Americas?
What sport became more popular after the Civil War?
Were the Little Rock Nine a rock-and-roll band?
As best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis knows, history can be fun, fascinating, and memorable. When his don't know much about® history was published in 1990, it was a sensation. The book delivered a fresh take on history with its wit and unusual detail. Davis now does for young people what his earlier book did for adults. In his trademark question-and-answer style -- peppered with surprising facts, historic reproductions, and Matt Faulkner's lively illustrations -- Davis introduces our ancestors who settled the East and expanded the West, as well as those who had been living here all along. His sure touch brings the drama and excitement of the American story vividly to life.
]]>Now, the sky's the limit in his latest irresistible installment—a grand tour of knowledge that carries us from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Berlin Wall, from the Salem Witch Trials to Watergate, from Michelangelo to Houdini. Brimming with busted myths, gripping true stories, and peculiar particulars about a plethora of people, places, and events, this captivating compendium is guaranteed to delight information lovers everywhere as it feeds our insatiable appetite to know everything!
]]>Davis, author of the bestselling Don't Know Much About History, has turned to a younger audience with his Don't Know Much About series. Don't Know Much About the 50 States is a great companion to the solar system title, while Don't Know Much About Planet Earth and Don't Know Much About Space work well for older readers. (Ages 6 to 9) --Emilie Coulter
]]>Other titles in the series include Don't Know Much About Planet Earth, Don't Know Much About Space, and Don't Know Much About the Solar System. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter
]]>Do you freeze when someone mentions Faulkner? When the conversation turns to the Odyssey, do you want to take a hike? Have no fear. For years, Kenneth C. Davis's New York Times bestselling Don't Know Much About<small><sup>® books have enlightened and enthralled us with a winning blend of fascinating facts and wonderfully irreverent fun. Now he sets his sights on our literary IQ in Don't Know Much About<small><sup>® Literature. With this rich treasure trove of knowledge and intriguing information about the world's great books and authors, Kenneth Davis and his daughter, Jenny, demystify Dracula, capture Kafka, and help you brush up on your BrontË in the inimitable and endlessly entertaining Don't Know Much About<small><sup>® style.
]]>Pilgrims in Plymouth: True or False Quiz
<ol> <li>The Mayflower was a huge ship—nearly as large as the Titanic—with a bowling alley and a swimming pool!</li> <li>Squanto, an Indian who helped the Pilgrims, spoke English.</li> <li>Pilgrim farmers buried fish in the ground to help their corn grow better.</li> <li>The Pilgrims called their harvest feast Thanksgiving.</li> </ol>Thanksgiving today is a time for families to say grace and gobble turkey. But why did the Pilgrims start this tradition? And who were these people anyway? In this latest outstanding entry in the Don't Know Much About<small><sup>® series by renowned author Kenneth C. Davis, you can discover all you ever wanted to know about the Pilgrims.
]]>Don't know much about anything? You will soon. Other titles in this amusing and enlightening series for kids include Don't Know Much About the 50 States, Don't Know Much About Space, and Don't Know Much About the Solar System. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter
]]>With great sensitivity, best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis describes Rosa Parks's decisive courage and the hardships she endured. Noteworthy photographs and dramatic black-and-white illustrations by Sergio Martinez capture the turbulent emotions of the Civil Rights era.
]]><li>Which dinosaurs were the best musicians?
<li>How did T. rex attack its prey?
Dinosaurs were some of the most fascinating animals that ever lived on our planet. Some were huge, and some were tiny; some ate leaves, and some loved to chomp on other dinosaurs!
In Don't Know Much About Dinosaurs, you'll discover dinosaurs that had a thousand teeth, dinosaurs that could run forty miles per hour, and dinosaurs that ate an entire school-bus-sized pile of vegetables in a single day! And you'll learn how paleontologists discovered the most famous dinosaur of all -- the ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex.
Kenneth C. Davis brings the great reptiles of the past back to life with his trademark question-and-answer format. Full of cool quotes, fun facts, and detailed artwork by Pedro Martin, the latest addition to the Don't Know Much About® series brings out the paleontologist in everyone.
]]>What did a well-dressed mummy wear?
Did mummy makers ever make mistakes?
These questions and many others are answered in this book by New York Times best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis as he unwraps the fascinating history of mummies from around the world.
Are mummies just dead bodies wrapped up in cloth and found in Egypt? No way! Mummies can be dried out, frozen, wrapped up, hollowed out, or even chopped apart and then sewn back together! And mummies have been found in many places on earth.
Many ancient cultures believed that preserving a dead body would help the body's owner in the afterlife. Some civilizations, like that of the ancient Egyptians, buried their mummies along with jewelry, board games, and even pets!
Kenneth C. Davis's trademark question-and-answer format, complete with riddles, fun facts, and comic illustrations, is the perfect way to explore the fascinating history of mummies.
]]>Unfortunately, the West wasn't always the paradise the pioneers thought it would be. Harsh weather, accidents, and disease often delayed their journeys. And after they arrived, the chores were endless! Can you imagine helping to make bread, jelly, soap, and even your own clothes ... by hand?
Kenneth C. Davis shows readers the real pioneer life in his trademark question-and-answer style. With cool quotes, fascinating sidebars, and lively illustrations by Renée Andriani, the West doesn't get any wilder than this.
]]>Why did he nearly fight a duel?
Who suggested that Lincoln grow a beard?
Best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis tells the remarkable story of a poor, self-educated boy from Kentucky who became president of a country soon torn by war. In this outstanding biography, Davis weaves a smooth, flowing narrative into his trademark question-and-answer format, peppering the text with informational sidebars and compelling quotes. Maps, reproductions from the period, and striking black-and-white illustrations by Rob Shepperson help capture Lincoln's character and the fervor of the Civil War era.
]]>•Why didn't he sign the Declaration of Independence? (see page 60)
•Did everyone vote for him to be president of the United States? (see page 92)
Best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis lays aside popular myth to unveil the true character of an avid farmer -- and our nation's first president. He weaves a smooth, flowing narrative into the trademark question-and-answer format of his popular Don't Know Much About® series, peppering this outstanding biography with informational sidebars and compelling quotes. Washington's life illuminates a glorious era in American history. Maps, reproductions from the period, and clever black-and-white illustrations by Rob Shepperson help re-create the flavor of these exciting times.
]]>How did he learn about nonviolent movements? (see page 53)
Why did King need so much paper in the Birmingham jail? (see page 88)
Best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis sheds light on the most prominent leader of the Civil Rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. had big dreams about ending segregation and fervently advocated nonviolent protests. Tragically, his life was cut short. Davis weaves a smooth, flowing narrative through his trademark question-and-answer format, peppering the text with informational sidebars and compelling quotes. Dramatic photographs and stirring black-and-white illustrations by Machiyo Kodaira reveal King's public courage and private fear, as well as the tumultuous times in which he lived.
]]>•What kind of schooling did Sitting Bull have as a child? (see page 20)
•Did he ever sign a peace treaty with the United States? (see page 71)
•What was his most famous vision before war? (see page 89)
In his trademark question-and-answer format, bestselling author Kenneth C. Davis tells how Sitting Bull's vision for the Sioux made him a powerful chief. Sitting Bull never lost his desire for his people to live as they were meant to be -- free. Informational sidebars and compelling quotes pepper the smooth, flowing narrative of Davis's outstanding biography. Poignant, black-and-white illustrations by Sergio Martinez capture the details of Sitting Bull's childhood, as well as the momentous events of his adult life. You'll be fascinated by the story of this great chief and the amazing times in which he lived.
]]>What sweet treat did he discover in Italy?
Whom did Jefferson send to map the West?
Best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis tells the story of one extraordinary man who shaped our young nation. Besides serving as president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson also made his mark in the fields of architecture, philosophy, and science. In this stellar biography, Davis weaves a smooth, flowing narrative into his trademark question-and-answer format, peppering the text with informational sidebars and compelling quotes. Maps, reproductions from the period, and striking black-and-white illustrations by Rob Shepperson help capture the amazing diversity of Jefferson's talents, as well as the vitality of these revolutionary times.
]]>Do you freeze when someone mentions Faulkner? When the conversation turns to the Odyssey, do you want to take a hike? Have no fear. For years, Kenneth C. Davis's New York Times bestselling Don't Know Much About<small><sup>® books have enlightened and enthralled us with a winning blend of fascinating facts and wonderfully irreverent fun. Now he sets his sights on our literary IQ in Don't Know Much About<small><sup>® Literature. With this rich treasure trove of knowledge and intriguing information about the world's great books and authors, Kenneth Davis and his daughter, Jenny, demystify Dracula, capture Kafka, and help you brush up on your BrontË in the inimitable and endlessly entertaining Don't Know Much About<small><sup>® style.
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