Books with author Don Nardo

The astronauts headed to the moon in December 1972 thought they knew what to expect. They would soon be exploring the moon's surface in a lunar rover, traveling farther than anyone before them. They would be collecting soil and rock samples for study back on Earth and could expect to learn about the moon's physical makeup and age. But what they didn't expect came as a huge bonus. The astronauts of Apollo 17 would produce an amazing photograph of planet Earth a lonely globe floating in inky black space. Their stunning Blue Marble image was destined to become one of the most reproduced and recognizable photos in history. And no one is 100 percent sure who took it.

Who hasn't looked to the night sky and wondered, what's out there? Miracles of human curiosity, bravery, and science have made it possible to begin answering that question. From wishful stargazing to moon walking to, someday, intergalactic travel, the story of human space exploration is full of daring adventure, incredible machinery, and endless curiosity about our place in the universe.

In the mid 19th century, a few women living in upstate New York decided it was time for women to stop accepting their status as second class citizens. Women lacked many basic civil rights that men enjoyed, including suffrage the right to vote. These women from New York held a convention in which they demanded their rights. Their battle took more than 70 years to win. Along the way they were opposed and mocked by male and female anti suffragists who tried to stifle their efforts.

What was life really like for everyday people in Ancient Egypt? In this detailed exploration of daily life in one of history’s greatest civilizations, readers will use primary sources and information from archeological discoveries to discover fascinating insights and debunk popular myths. Immersive timelines, maps and references to important people and events will bring children on a time-traveling journey through Ancient Egypt.

World War II was in its early days when brutal German dictator Adolf Hitler paid a visit to Paris, the capital of France. Only days before, on June 14, 1940, German soldiers had overrun the city, shocking the world. Hitler now viewed the city's cultural treasures as his own. He posed for a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower, the beloved symbol of France and the country's free, democratic people. The photo, taken by his personal photographer, Heinrich Hoffmann, would show the world that Nazi Germany had triumphed over its bitter enemy. Many who viewed the photo in newspapers around the globe would draw a second conclusion that Germany would almost certainly invade Britain next. And if Britain fell, Hitler would be a huge step closer to his ultimate goal of world domination.

Understanding Afghanistan Today is an accurate and contemporary presentation that explores the Middle Eastern nation of Afghanistan with a focus on the country as it is today: current issues, culture, and lifestyle. The book is written in an easy-to-read enjoyable narrative form for elementary readers grades 3-6. The Afghanistan title includes a native recipe and craft for students to create. Elementary students are encouraged to consider evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Series titles have been developed to address many of the Common Core specific goals, higher level thinking skills, and progressive learning strategies for middle grade and junior high level students.

An attack at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games would produce one of the defining images of international terrorism. The chilling photo of a hooded man peering from a balcony in the Olympic Village would be viewed worldwide as a horrific symbol of global terrorism. The man wearing a mask with cutout slits for his eyes was a member of the Palestinian terrorist group Black September. He and his fellow terrorists had seized 11 members of the Israeli Olympic delegation and were holding them hostage. They would kill them all as the tragedy unfolded. What had been dubbed the “happy Olympics” would be forever remembered as the Munich massacre. The Olympics would never the same.