Books with author Jim Corrigan

World War II is generally considered to have begun in September 1939, when the armies of Nazi Germany invaded its neighbor Poland. After Britain and France declared war, the conflict quickly escalated to include most of the major nations of the world. By the time it ended, some 55 million people had lost their lives. The Second World War occurred because of decisions made during the preceding two decades. This book discusses the ramifications of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended the First World War. It explains the rise of militaristic governments in Italy, Germany, and Japan during the 1920s and early 1930s. It examines unsuccessful attempts by League of Nations to resolve conflicts peacefully, and the Western policy of “appeasement” toward the aggressors. Ultimately, each of these diverse issues contributed to the outbreak of global war.

Heavily illustrated with photos, this book shows how in the 1920s America celebrated like never before. World War I was finally over and Americans eagerly looked ahead. Cities grew as the economy boomed. It was the era of Prohibition, when alcohol was illegal, but people drank liquor and listened to jazz music in secret nightclubs. Bold young women called “flappers” led a culture of revelry. It was a time for heroes and villains. Pilot Charles “Lucky Lindy” Lindbergh winged his way across the Atlantic. Meanwhile, Al Capone and his gang of mobsters ruled the streets of Chicago. As the decade ended, the world faced the Great Depression. Dictators such as Adolf Hitler began seizing power. Read about the The Roaring Twenties, a decade unlike any other.

Many anthropologists believe the human species originated in Kenya's Rift Valley, where hominid skulls more than 2 million years old have been discovered. That fact alone would make Kenya an important place. But this East African nation has many other extraordinary characteristics: diverse terrain, a remarkable variety of plant and animal life, and a fascinating blend of cultures and languages among its people. The political system in Kenya is far from ideal. Historically, government corruption has been a major problem. However, the country adopted a new constitution in 2010 and is considered one of the most stable in Africa. Kenya has a free press and multiple political parties that compete in national elections. The country has also been fortunate to escape the chaos that has affected many neighboring countries in East Africa.

Gripping photos and text show hippies protesting the Vietnam War, astronauts walking on the moon, and Martin Luther King, Jr., leading the way to equal rights for African-Americans. These are just a few powerful images from the 1960s. It was an unsettling time for America. Soldiers battled in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Inspiring leaders fell victim to assassins’ bullets. A crisis over Soviet missiles pushed the world toward nuclear war. Yet it was also a time of triumph. The civil rights movement succeeded. Humans orbited into space for the very first time. The Beatles changed rock 'n' roll forever. Read more about the 1960s in this photo-driven book.

The 1990's economic prosperity and technological advancement are counterbalanced by a sharp rise in terrorism. Following a military and diplomatic triumph in the first Persian Gulf War, Americans focus largely on domestic issues. Despite enhanced communications via the Internet, the world is slow to react to growing humanitarian crises in Africa and the Balkans. In the music world, grunge and hip-hop dominate the scene. Through dynamic photos and interesting text, see how the 1990s were a time of prosperity and growth.

Action packed photos show how as the 1940s opened the world sank into conflict. Adolf Hitler’s troops marched through Europe. Japanese forces spread out across Asia and the Pacific Ocean. America hoped to avoid the war but could not. A surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, outraged the nation. World War II quickly engulfed the planet. Americans grimly accepted the challenge of war. Millions joined the armed services. Women worked long hours in factories and shipyards. Fierce battles raged overseas. Slowly, America and its allies scored key victories. The intense flash of an atomic bomb came in 1945. World War II ended and a new era began. Read how it all happened in the 1940s.

Poignant photos and high-interest text are used to illustrate how the Great Depression hit America like a mighty storm. Millions of workers lost their jobs. Families were forced to scrounge for food. It was the worst economic tragedy in American history. The nation forged ahead. A new president promised a New Deal for America. Franklin D. Roosevelt told Americans that they had nothing “to fear but fear itself.” He fought tirelessly to end the Great Depression. Meanwhile in Germany, Adolf Hitler and the Nazis seized power. Warlike military officers did the same in Japan. Read about the 1930s and what lay ahead.

The 2000s—the first decade of the new millennium ushered in a new age of information including the Internet and electronic media. The early years are marked by economic slowdown, political divisiveness, and unprecedented terrorism. U.S.-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq achieve their initial goals, before devolving into bloody guerrilla conflicts. International competition for energy resources escalates dramatically. The U.S. was attacked in 2001 changing the face of New York City forever. In 2008, a time of change started when Barack Obama was elected president. Through dozens of photos and text see how the history of this decade unfolds.

Ethiopia, unlike most African countries, remained mostly free from European colonial influence. This landlocked country in East Africa had been the site of a powerful ancient kingdom, which was overthrown by a military coup in 1974. A socialist government was established, under which millions of Ethiopians starved during the famines of the 1970s and 1980s. Rebel groups initiated a civil war and overthrew the government in 1991. Although Ethiopia adopted a new constitution in 1994 and held democratic elections the next year, the country is not truly a democracy. Instead, Ethiopia's government has been recognized as an authoritarian regime that uses force to stifle dissent. Ethiopia's economy grew rapidly in the late 2000s, but the country's people are among the poorest in Africa. In addition, a terrible drought in 2011 has caused a food crisis that threatens the lives of many people.

Experience the 1910s through this photo-driven book. Newspaper headlines in the 1910s shouted out tragedy and disaster. Read how the TITANIC sinks, World War I erupts, and a deadly flu virus kills millions. The 1910s were a frightening time in the world. Mexico and Russia slipped into revolution. America hoped to stay neutral in politics and war, but found it could not. U.S. troops first went to Mexico, then the bloody trenches of Europe. The combat of World War I was worse than any that had come before it. People called it the war to end all wars. Read about what proved to be an amazing decade in history.