More so than any of the other major groups of elements in the periodic table, the transition metals have shaped human history and have been the workhorses of industry. The discovery of metallic coppe
Dictionary of Literary Characters is a stunning, five-volume set containing descriptions of more than 40,000 characters in great literary works from the United States, Britain, and around the world.
J.K. Rowling is one of the most popular authors of all time. Her Harry Potter books are beloved by millions of children and respected by critics of both children's and adult literature. On the other
Praise for the previous edition:"...clear and concise...broad in scope...do[es] an excellent job of providing accurate information for teens...belong[s] in any library serving young adults."—Sc
While scientists categorize the chemical elements as metals, nonmetals, and metalloids largely based on the elements' abilities to conduct electricity at normal temperatures and pressures, there are
Research shows that overweight individuals are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and cholesterol as well as diabetes and other ailments. Proper nutrition and regular exercise can help
Praise for the previous edition:"...offer[s] detail-rich discussions...consider for assignment use..."—School Library JournalMars exploration has never been more active, and our understanding o
Genetics is the branch of the life sciences concerned with heredity, the transmission of characteristics down generations, and variation, the structural or functional divergence of characteristics am
Nature has been cloning animals, cells, and molecules for millions of years. Scientists got into the act just 34 years ago when John Gurdon, a professor at Cambridge University in England, cloned a f
Praise for the previous edition: "...carefully organized and thoroughly researched...this book sets the standard for quotation books of any kind."—Booklist "This fine work is highly
Praise for the previous edition:"This fun-to-read source will add spice for economics and business classes...an excellent index..."—American Reference Books Annual"This volume is worthy of incl
Praise for the previous edition:"This is a winner."—Reference Reviews on www.gale.com "A nuts-and-bolts guide to research...A no-frills, solid reference source."—School Library Journ
Praise for the previous edition:"...a good place to start for anyone doing general research on Peru...recommended for general and academic collections."—American Reference Books Annual In
Studying the cell helps us improve our understanding of the living world, plant and animal physiology, genetics, and biochemistry. This wealth of information has revolutionized the biological and med
Cancer has been the driving force behind innumerable studies, leading to the discovery of oncogenes (or cancer-causing genes) and helping us understand the inner world of the cell. This knowledge has
Praise for the previous edition:"...offer[s] detail-rich discussions..."—School Library Journal "...a wealth of specific facts and detailed explanations...Teachers and students alike will
Each volume of the Facts On File Library in a Book series is carefully designed to be a first-stop research source on important current issues. Written clearly and carefully so that even the most com
Praise for the previous edition:Society of School Librarians International "Honor Book""...carefully done, in-depth...will work well for researchers and debaters, adults as well as teens."—Book
In spite of their adjacency in the periodic table, halogens and nonmetals have very different properties. Halogens are among the most chemically reactive elements in the periodic table, exhibiting a
Scientists categorize the chemical elements as metals, nonmetals, and metalloids largely based on the elements' abilities to conduct electricity at normal temperatures and pressures, but there are ot
Praise for the previous edition:"...well written, well researched, and useful..."—Booklist"...will find an important role in most general reference collections."—American Reference Books
"... concise and interesting accounts of the [history] of ... Argentina ... most appropriate for university collections and could be used as [a textbook] for undergraduate classes in Latin American s
While many are concerned about the world's shrinking oil supply, experts and scientists predict that the acquisition of water will soon supersede that of oil as a main source of i
Places Muslim Americans in the Center of American History and CultureMuslims have long played a central role in American history. Since the colonial period, when an estimated 20,000 African Muslims w
Alcoholism afflicts individuals of all social groups and age levels, although young adults have the greatest risk for addiction to alcohol. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, mo
Adoption and surrogate pregnancy are the two most realistic options currently available for millions of couples unable to have biological children. In the past decade, international adoption has beco
Authoritative yet accessible, the four-volume Encyclopedia of Latin America covers the history and culture of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean from early settlements to the pres
The World Health Organization defines environmental health as "those aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social, and psychosocia
This unique and timely book is a chronicle of the unrivalled political life of the late Seamus Brennan who, during a period of over 21 years (1987-2008), served as a Government minister in nine differ
Considering the ethical decisions medical practitioners must face, Beginning Life takes a close look at several bold medical innovations that have created new lives and saved others. With detailed in
Today's biology has an enormous impact on medicine, particularly in diagnosing disease and understanding how drugs work. Many of the possibilities for therapies or technologies foreseen by today's sc
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
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
Greek and Roman mythology has fascinated people for thousands of years, and its influence on cultures throughout Europe, America, North Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere attests to the universal
Every human being carries, within each of his or her cells, a long history of the species. The human genome is a record of evolution that stretches back to the first Homo sapiens and to the orig
Scientists did not know what made people sick only 150 years ago. There were many theories of how and why illness spread, but none of them were accurate. Though very primitive microscopes had pe
Praise for the previous editions:"...well written and engagingly contemporary. Recommended..."—Choice"...suitable for high school, public, and academic libraries."—American Reference Book
Praise for the previous edition:"...appealing as well as informative. Recommended for high-school, public, and undergraduate libraries."—Booklist"...would make for fascinating reading in public
It is difficult to identify a defining moment that turned the tide toward less-polluting energy sources, but most people today have a fresh outlook on the environment and realize the importance of co
With tensions escalating between the United States and North Korea over the North's resumption of its nuclear weapons program, Korea has recently become a focus of media attention. Home to more than
