Books with author Kenneth Pletcher

The Age of Exploration, which spanned roughly from 1400 to 1550, was the first time in history that European powerseyeing new trade routes to the East or seeking to establish empiresbegan actively looking far past their own borders to gain a better understanding of the world and its many resources. The individuals who set out on behalf of the countries they represented came from a variety of backgrounds, and included master navigators such as Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellanthe latter of whom was the first to circle the globeas well as the often ruthless conquistadors of the New World such as Francisco Pizarro and Hernan Cortes. The exciting and sometimes tragic lives and journeys of these and many others as well as the battles for empire that arose are chronicled in this engaging volume.

The nature of the maiden voyage is deeply captivating. Though the oceans still hold vast opportunities for uncharted exploration, our land resources have been bravely explored and charted for hundreds of years. Very few places remain mysterious and untamable to man, and this transformation is due to imaginative and fearless explorers. Readers will devour these tales of explorers who have pushed geographic and personal boundaries, leaving virtually no corner of the globe off limits.

Chinas unmatched ability to reinvent itself over the centuries is perhaps its most timeless asset. Even in the wake of violent civil wars, Mongol invaders, and turbulent governance, China has endured and, in recent times, achieved a level of prosperity rivaled by few other countries in the world. The events that transformed China from an imperial nation to a superpower are chronicled in this comprehensive volume that introduces the history of the worlds largest and one of its most dynamic populations. Accompanied by vivid images, the narrative provides readers with new perspective on this ancient culture.

With its flourishing metropolises, China has come to be identified with urban life and rapid technological advancement. Yet much of its landscape also boasts communities sustained by wondrous natural resources, which contribute to the scenic and spiritual beauty of the nation as well as its economic productivity. Within these pages, readers are invited to tour Chinas cities, villages, and countryside. Theyll visit the natural and manmade landmarks that reveal as much about the history of this vast nation as its geography.

As the Age of Exploration came to a close, the world seemed to be a significantly smaller place than it once was, with more major landmasses identified on the global map. Yet questions and unknowns remained and details had yet to be filled in. Armed with greater knowledge and better equipment than their predecessors, explorers in the late Renaissance and Enlightenment eras took up the reins, with some discovering new routes and lands still while others carefully surveyed or settled lands already known. This lively volume details the lives of such individuals as Henry Hudson, Vitus Bering, James Cook, and Daniel Boone, among many others, as well as the explorations and discoveries of which they were a part.

Technological advancesincluding pressurized cabins for hot air balloons, rocketry that powers spacecraft, and deep-sea diving gearhave changed the face of exploration. What hasnt changed since ancient times, however, is the bravery and inquisitiveness of intrepid individuals at the forefront of modern-day exploration and adventure. Those who have challenged conventional thinking, and sought to test physical limits of human endurance in the 20th and 21st centuries are the subjects of this exciting collection of biographies.

With a landscape as diverse as the multitude of people that inhabit it, India hosts a wide range of communities, from remote villages nestled in the Himalayas to thriving urban centers. In many ways, it is a land of contrasts, as reflected in its geographyshaped as much by the annual monsoon season as the arid deserts that punctuate the nation. In this volume, readers will experience a juxtaposed journey, visiting both areas that have remained untouched for centuries and areas of technological advancement that have brought the country to the forefront of innovation.

Although the once-fuzzy outlines of the global map had largely been defined by the 19th century, much had yet to be learned. As some explorers continued to search either for resources or for unknown regions, others increasingly embraced a new kind of discoverythat of scientific knowledge. Readers will journey alongside a host of notable explorers, accompanying Lewis and Clark on their famous expeditionduring which they both charted much of the United States and identified 178 new plantsand marvelling at Charles Darwins revolutionary findings in the Galapagos Islands. Their explorations and many others are chronicled within these pages.

Sophisticated societies have risen and fallen in India for more than four millennia, from the urbanized Harappa culture to todays Republic of India, the worlds largest democracy. Because of its natural wealth, India has long been a tempting prize for invaders, yet foreign forces such as the Mughal Empire and the British did not destroy Indias vibrant spirit. Rather, external influences often became absorbed into the mix of different peoples, languages, religions, and regional traditions, creating a lasting culture of great depth. This book recounts the history of India and much of present-day Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as the factors that have contributed to Indias epic economic successes in recent times. Memorable images texture the narrative and vividly animate the story of this unique nation.

Crossing geographic and cultural boundaries at a time when much of the world remained uncharted was a challenge faced by ancient explorers. Long before the Golden Age of Exploration, an assortment of travellers ventured into the unknown, uncovering untapped riches of land and resources in the process. Readers will become familiar with the lives and journeys of these early explorers, whose number included dauntless leadersAlexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Genghis Khanwho sought to establish vast empires and enterprising merchants such as Marco Polo.

Chinas status as an emerging superpower has captured the interest and attention of the entire world in recent times. Underlying the politics and economic structures, however, is a rich and deeply textured history of a people whose contributions to science, philosophy, mathematics, the arts, and a host of other subjects date back millennia. The events, ideas, religions, people, and places that have assumed a central place in the Chinese way of life are examined in depth in this comprehensive and far-reaching series. From Chinas dynastic past to the post-Mao era, this set surveys the epic transformations that make the country what it is today. Memorable photographs and illustrations accompany the text and transport readers across time and place to experience traditions and locales at the same time unique and not unlike their own.