Books with author Jeanne M Nagle

Following the American Revolutionary War, distance and difficult terrain made the western frontier of the newly formed United States seem like a world apart from the thirteen Atlantic-seaboard colonies. To better preserve the union, as well as advance the country's fledgling independent economy, a group of statesmen proposed building a canal that would connect these unified yet disparate locations. At first considered a "folly," the Erie Canal wound up achieving those lofty goals and more. Readers uncover the reasons and strategies behind the building of the canal, and the ways in which this crucial waterway facilitated U.S. westward expansion.

Though kites have been around for centuries, only recently have they been used for surfing and snowboarding, creating the exhilarating new sports of kiteboarding and snowkiting. Kiters experiment with new tricks and can even display their talent at internationally sanctioned competitions. Along with that thrill, however, there is an element of danger. Participants need to take the appropriate safety measures, such as using proper equipment and checking weather conditions. When approached and handled correctly, kiteboarding and snowkiting are activities that can be enjoyed to the extreme.

"From the deepest underground mines to vast northwest forests, North America is still a land of opportunity when it comes to jobs in resource extraction. Miners and loggers are the hands-on workers in two industries that provide us with raw materials for products and many household and daily necessities. This book highlights these physically demanding but potentially lucrative occupations, and gives young readers detailed guidance on how to break into them. It also provides tips on safety and health, advancement, and many other aspects of these vital economic sectors"--

They may make great action movies, but in real life big disasters are simply tragic. From the beginning, the earth has experienced devastating natural disasters that have resonated today. Humankind has introduced disasters of its own, caused by machines and chemicals. Readers will be fascinated to learn of the earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes, floods and tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, crashes and sinkings, and oil spills and nuclear accidents that have plagued us from ancient to modern times. Sidebars, a glossary, and books and websites in the further reading section are also included.