A Portuguese navigator whose initial voyage to India opened up the sea route from Western Europe to the East by way of the Cape of Good Hope.

Hale was a good officer, well liked, who volunteered to take on difficult assignments. His last--in September 1776--was to spy on the British.

This new series explores the lives of the men and women who had a profound influence on the shaping of the world--particularly the ways in which the sciences, arts, and letters are perceived by the modern observer, Ideally suited for school reports, these books are fully documented, with sidebars that provide background information about each subject. This series meets world history curriculum standards.

In addition to being queen consort of both Louis VII of France and Henry II of England, she was also the mother of Richard I the Lion-Heart and John of England.

In December 2001, Kofi Annan and the United Nations organization received the Nobel Peace Prize; Annan, the secretary-general of the United Nations, was recognized for his work "for a better organized and more peaceful world."

- "Being Asian American" boxed inserts that examine the impact of the subject's cultural heritage
- "The Story of My Family" and "Between the Generations" sections that allow readers to experience an important part of American history
- First-person accounts highlighted with full-color photographs that vividly bring each of these individuals' stories to life.

- "Being Asian American" boxed inserts that examine the impact of the subject's cultural heritage
- "The Story of My Family" and "Between the Generations" sections that allow readers to experience an important part of American history
- First-person accounts highlighted with full-color photographs that vividly bring each of these individuals' stories to life.

For more than 200 years, the House of Representatives has stood as the keeper of American democracy. Over the years, the House has been a center stage for controversy, scandals, and tremendous legislative victories.

In the wake of September 11, 2001, the U.S. government felt the need to establish a special department to handle national security--the Department of Homeland Security. But the idea of national security is not a recent concept, and terrorism is not a new concern. In truth, every generation of Americans has experienced some worry that they might be attacked in their homes.

Minnesota Twins' center fielder Kirby Puckett emerged from the rough housing projects of Chicago to become the jewel of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1995. Better known by Twins fans as "Puck," number 34 is still considered by most to be the greatest Twin ever. During his 11-year career, Puckett was a six-time Gold Glove winner, a 10-time All-Star, a five-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and led the Twins to their only two World Series titles in 1987 and 1991. But his remarkable career came to a shocking halt in 1995 when glaucoma caused irreversible damage to his right eye, and in 1997...