Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese sailor working for the Spanish, believed he could find a shorter route to India by heading west instead of east. Like Columbus before him, he was destined to reach the Americas. Magellan, however, continued past the New World and sailed into the Pacific Ocean. The expedition took a horrible turn when Magellan became involved in a tribal war between the local chiefs in the Philippines. He was brutally killed, and only one vessel returned to Spain with a skeleton crew of 18. In "Ferdinand Magellan", discover how a young captain battled mutiny, starvation, illness, and conflicts with his own countrymen to be remembered in history as the first to circumnavigate the globe....

Queen Latifah may not have been the first female rapper, but she was the first to become a bona fide star. Her strength, charisma, and intelligence have made her stand out in a highly competitive field. Growing up in the New Jersey projects, Queen Latifah, born Dana Owens, displayed a determination that helped her muscle her way to the top. In 1993, her album "Black Reign" became the first rap record by a female artist to go gold. Queen Latifah's breakthrough paved the way for the talented crew of women rappers who hit the scene in the 1990s. Soon, she expanded her considerable talents to acting, starring in a sitcom and receiving an Academy Award nomination for her role in the smash musical Chicago. This intriguing new biography explores the life of a trailblazer who is not only one of the most recognized women in hip-hop, but also one of the most respected names in the entertainment industry....

Born in San Francisco, Bruce Lee grew up learning how to survive on the rough-and-tumble streets of Kowloon, Hong Kong, where he became a mischievous punk and member of a street gang. When he came back to the United States, however, he was ready to become someone. Through hours of philosophical pondering and rigorous physical training, Lee built himself up to an unstoppable fighting machine. Defying traditional methods, he created a whole new system of kung fu, one that had no limitations. Lee caused a sensation when he introduced the world to his brand of martial arts, and he became a famous martial-arts actor before suddenly dying from a brain swelling at age 32. In this biography, readers will learn why, even today, more than 30 years after his untimely death, Bruce Lee remains an influential pop-culture icon, remembered as the greatest martial-arts fighter the world has ever known....

Born to two uneducated farmers, Abraham Lincoln came from meager origins and had only 18 months of formal education. Yet, he worked himself up from farmer to respected lawyer to U.S. Congressman to the 16th U.S. president. He was a humanitarian who did not believe in killing animals for food. From the start of his political career, he fought for the abolition of slavery, and once elected president, he passed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring the freedom of any slaves in territories not under Union control. Despite pressures from the seceded states and the resulting civil war, Lincoln continued his goal of saving the Union while fighting for republican values, and was elected for a second term. He was not popular among all U.S. citizens, however, and was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth only five days after the war was declared over....

From the day she laced up her first pair of skates, Michelle Kwan knew she belonged on the ice. When she was 7 years old, she vowed that she would one day be an Olympic skater, and went straight to work on making her dream come true. By the time she was 12, she was already competing with top skaters from around the world. At age 15, Kwan won her first national and world titles. And in 1998, she made skating history at the U.S. Championships when she received 15 perfect scores for presentation in her long and short programs, the most perfect scores ever for a female skater. "Michelle Kwan" is the story of a gifted young athlete whose determination and focus have enabled her to become the most decorated skater in U.S. history. Though the only medal ever to elude her was the Olympic gold, Kwan remains a true champion, and she has shown just as much grace in her setbacks as she has on the ice. Her positive attitude has earned her the reputation of sports' ultimate class act, and it is sure to inspire readers of this engaging new volume....

In 1519, with a small band of a few hundred soldiers, Cortes invaded the mighty Aztec empire. Although the Aztecs greatly outnumbered them, Cortes's men were able to conquer the natives and capture their emperor. The arrival of Cortes in 1519 helped shape Mexico today....

On May 31, 1889, the people of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, got the surprise of the century, one that claimed the lives of more than 2,200 men, women, and children. In the mountains that overlooked the booming coal-and-steel town, the restless waters of Lake Conemaugh churned behind the South Fork Dam, a hastily built earthen structure. The soft rain that had been falling that afternoon took an angry turn, filling the belly of Lake Conemaugh over capacity.In a matter of hours, the lake began spilling over the top and ultimately burst its earthen restraints. Like a roaring hurricane, 20 million tons of water cascaded down the Conemaugh Valley, stripping the landscape raw and eating up any scrap of life in its path. Lake Conemaugh's final destination was Johnstown, where its effects are still felt by the people who live there. The horrible tragedy of the Johnstown Flood quickly turned into one of the nation's hottest scandals and taught a powerful lesson to the people of the Conemaugh Valley....

Thomas Jonathan 'Stonewall' Jackson was the great-grandson of indentured servants from Ireland who were sentenced to serve time in America for larceny. He began his career in the U.S. Army fighting in the Mexican-American War and later became a teacher. He and his wife owned slaves, and he saw slavery as ordained by God, although he also considered it the slave master's duty to treat servants fairly and humanely at all times. His reputation as a kind slave master meant several slaves asked to be purchased by him at auction. Called to serve in the Civil War in 1861, he excelled during several battles including the First Battle of Bull Run, where he got his nickname, and became one of the most revered Confederate commanders. To this day, his Valley Campaign of 1862 is studied worldwide as an example of innovation and bold leadership. Historians consider Stonewall Jackson to be one of the most gifted tactical commanders in United States history....

Chief Joseph was a Nez Perce Indian who tried to keep the peace for his people. During his lifetime, Chief Joseph learned how to hunt and fish, led his people on the Flight of the Nez Perce, and spoke with the president of the United States. Can you imagin

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This is a full-color biography of a football legend.Tom Brady's rise to fame started early in the 2001 season when an injury forced Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe out of the game. Enter Brady, the 24-year-old kid from the University of Michigan. Only his second year in the NFL, Brady had spent his rookie year as a fourth-string quarterback. But during the off-season, he proved he could be something more. He pulled the Patriots from a losing record to win the playoffs. Much to football's surprise, he then expertly navigated his team to victory in Super Bowl XXXVI."Tom Brady" is the inspiring story of how one man captivated millions of hearts in America. Covering Brady's childhood, influences, setbacks, and triumphs, this exciting, full-color biography is sure to become a favorite for loyal football fans....

As a high schooler in Findlay, Ohio, Ben Roethlisberger, or Big Ben, was not a football phenom. In fact, he didn't become a quarterback until his senior year. At Miami University in Ohio, he wore number 7 in honor of his favorite quarterback, John Elway - the number he still wears as the starting quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In only his third year in the big leagues, Roethlisberger became the youngest quarterback in history to win the Super Bowl when he led his team to the win over the Seattle Seahawks. This rising star gives back through the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, which supports police and fire departments nationwide....

Named after Tecumseh, a famous Shawnee leader, William Tecumseh Sherman was raised by a foster family following his father's death. At military school, he was a good student but a mediocre soldier, and after graduation, he became frustrated with his chosen career. Sherman quit the military to become a partner at a bank in San Francisco and then became president of a military college in Louisiana. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he volunteered his services, eventually fighting under General Ulysses S. Grant. Made supreme commander of the armies in the West, Sherman's abilities began to shine through. Despite declaring 'War Is Hell', his March to the Sea campaign through Georgia was an integral reason for the surrender of the Confederate armies in 1865. After the Civil War, Sherman was promoted to the rank of full general of the entire U.S. Army. He published his memoirs in 1875 and retired in 1883....

Marie Curie's life was a story of passion, obsession, ambition, and dreams. With her husband, Pierre Curie, she discovered the phenomenon of radioactivity, as well as the elements of polonium and radium. Their discoveries took the world by storm, turning into a nightmare as thousands of dangerous products containing radium flooded the market. However, their legacy of discovery paved the way for modern physics, the study of the atom, and nuclear research. Growing up in Russian-occupied Poland, where women were not allowed access to higher education, Curie saved her money and traveled to Paris to attend the prestigious Sorbonne University. After earning her doctorate in physics, she rose to the ranks of her male peers, becoming the first woman to win the Nobel Prize - twice - and in science, a field few women studied. Years later, her daughter became the second woman to win a Nobel Prize. In "Marie Curie", read about a woman whose work smoothed the way for other women scientists....

Robbed of three of her five senses at a young age, Helen Keller worked as a crusader for the education of the deaf and blind, and helped disabled people around the world find hope. At 19 months old, Keller suddenly lost of her ability to see and hear, leaving her deaf, dumb, and mute. She was left to live in darkness and silence-until a young teacher reached into that void to bring light to her world. Her instructor, Anne Sullivan, used groundbreaking methods to teach Keller not only how to read and write, but even how to speak. An intelligent young woman, she was the first deaf-blind person to graduate from college. This miraculous woman's life became a symbol of triumph over adversity, and her story stands as a testament that any obstacle can be overcome....

Sacagawea was a Lemhi Shoshone Indian. She joined the Corps of Discovery to help Meriwether Lewis and William Clark reach the Pacific Ocean. During her lifetime, Sacagawea learned to travel long distances, married a French fur trader, and saved some import

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This is a full-color biography of a football legend.Tom Brady's rise to fame started early in the 2001 season when an injury forced Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe out of the game. Enter Brady, the 24-year-old kid from the University of Michigan. Only his second year in the NFL, Brady had spent his rookie year as a fourth-string quarterback. But during the off-season, he proved he could be something more. He pulled the Patriots from a losing record to win the playoffs. Much to football's surprise, he then expertly navigated his team to victory in Super Bowl XXXVI."Tom Brady" is the inspiring story of how one man captivated millions of hearts in America. Covering Brady's childhood, influences, setbacks, and triumphs, this exciting, full-color biography is sure to become a favorite for loyal football fans....

Queen Latifah may not have been the first female rapper, but she was the first to become a bona fide star. Her strength, charisma, and intelligence have made her stand out in a highly competitive field. Growing up in the New Jersey projects, Queen Latifah, born Dana Owens, displayed a determination that helped her muscle her way to the top. In 1993, her album "Black Reign" became the first rap record by a female artist to go gold. Queen Latifah's breakthrough paved the way for the talented crew of women rappers who hit the scene in the 1990s. Soon, she expanded her considerable talents to acting, starring in a sitcom and receiving an Academy Award nomination for her role in the smash musical Chicago. This intriguing new biography explores the life of a trailblazer who is not only one of the most recognized women in hip-hop, but also one of the most respected names in the entertainment industry....

Queen Latifah may not have been the first female rapper, but she was the first to become a bona fide star. Her strength, charisma, and intelligence have made her stand out in a highly competitive field. Growing up in the New Jersey projects, Queen Latifah, born Dana Owens, displayed a determination that helped her muscle her way to the top. In 1993, her album "Black Reign" became the first rap record by a female artist to go gold. Queen Latifah's breakthrough paved the way for the talented crew of women rappers who hit the scene in the 1990s. Soon, she expanded her considerable talents to acting, starring in a sitcom and receiving an Academy Award nomination for her role in the smash musical Chicago. This intriguing new biography explores the life of a trailblazer who is not only one of the most recognized women in hip-hop, but also one of the most respected names in the entertainment industry....