The theory of evolution can be observed anywhere—from exotic tropical rain forests to our own backyards—and is based on three main principles: heredity, variation, and selection. In the 1
The history of Russia, the world's largest nation from its early beginnings in the ninth century when Rurik, a Varangian king, established the first Russian state near Kiev, to the current presidency
Environmental engineering's future seems boundless because it is based in the myriad ways in which nature solves its own engineering challenges. People have yet to design a system that pumps water 20
Students with a basic understanding of the environment and concern for its future know the importance of preserving biological diversity. Biodiversity is the variety of living things on Earth or in a
The industrial might of the United States grew in the 1930s and flourished during the two world wars. As businesses large and small supplied the needs of the country, they discarded their wastes in l
Vivid characters and first-rate storytelling are the hallmarks of great popular fiction. The new Encyclopedia of American Popular Fiction is an A-to-Z guide to those authors and works that have enjoy
A Brief History of the Caribbean is an overview of the historical events that have taken place and shaped the islands of the Caribbean Sea beginning with an account of the indigenous populations befo
The Vietnam War was one of the most controversial and divisive events in U.S. history since the Civil War. Stretching from approximately 1957 to 1973, this watershed event claimed the lives of thousa
Encyclopedia of Physical Science discusses concepts that unify the physical sciences with life, Earth, and space science. Examining topics such as natural hazards, global challenges, and the history
From the first incident of petty theft to modern media piracy, crime and punishment have been a part of every society. However, the structure and values of a particular society shape both the inciden
Slavery in America tells the story of slavery in North America, including the slave trade on the west coast of Africa and the transatlantic journey to North America, slave auctions, plantation life,
Toni Morrison, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993, is one of the most popular American authors in college and high school courses. Her novels, including Sula, Song of Solomon, Beloved, a
Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes, Third Edition is a fully updated reference discussing more than 200 American Indian tribes of North America, as well as prehistoric peoples and civilizations.
Once stretching from Vienna in the north to Iraq and Yemen in the south, the Ottoman Empire has played an integral role in the history of Eurasia and the Middle East. The dynamics and complexity of t
Known for his favorite themes of New England and nature, Robert Frost may well be the most famous American poet of the 20th century. His classic works include the poems "The Road Not Taken," "Stoppin
Ending and Extending Life takes a detailed look at several bold medical innovations that have saved and improved the lives of millions of patients. Mechanical ventilation, organ transplantation and o
The BP oil spill and other recent catastrophic environmental disasters have received attention in the popular media and provoked controversy at a local, national, and sometimes international level. Ye
Hispanic-American literature has a venerable history, but it has never been more important and popular than it is now. Containing more than 250 entries, Encyclopedia of Hispanic-American Literature i
As our knowledge of matter grows, so too do the number of materials. Metals saw early uses as swords, coins, and later, in the building of airplanes. The 20th century witnessed several new materials:
Volcanic eruptions are some of the most spectacular of all natural phenomena, yet they are also among the most dangerous geological hazards. Eruptions may send blocks of rock, ash, and gas tens of th
