Books with author Tim Cooke

The important travels and writings of English explorer Mary Kingsley helped develop the British public's knowledge about the African continent. Her concern for indigenous people influenced a change in British practices in Africa. From her travels by boat to her studies of West African tribes and work as a nurse, this book describes her inspiring life using engaging fact boxes and historical information presented in tabloid-style.

Until the 19th century, Africa was known as the Dark Continent, speaking to the mystery and intrigue the vast lands posed to Europeans. Readers will gain insight into the explorers who unlocked Africas secrets and introduced the continent to the world. Delving into the expeditions from the 15th through the 19th centuries, the text follows a timeline of exploration by the Portuguese and British and their influence on various regions in Africa. Informative sidebars and fact boxes throughout the book discuss how explorers faced disease, starvation, deadly insects, and scorching temperatures, giving readers a glimpse into the hardships and dangers that posed daily threats to Europeans far from home. Illustrations and photos with detailed captions help readers to better understand the scramble for Africa, and its lasting effects to this day.

Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, the notorious Bonnie and Clyde, ruled the front of newspapers and the publics imagination in the 1930s. While most of the nation suffered under the Great Depression, the duo and their gang pulled off a string of robberies, leaving many dead in their daring escapes. Readers will learn why these two famous figures have been romanticized by so many, even today, and follow Texas Ranger Frank Hamer as his posse tracks down and ambushes the outlaws. Primary sources, historical photographs, and revealing quotations shed more light on the dramatic true story.

Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic civil rights leader, was born into a world where he did not enjoy the same rights or opportunities as white Americans. Yet, he prompted great societal change through remarkable, peaceful means. This compelling and comprehensive biography takes readers on the journey of Kings life from young Georgia pastor to the iconic trailblazer who met a tragic end. A timeline provides a summary of significant moments in Kings life. His key speeches and books are noted as well, so readers can continue to experience this extraordinary mans powerful words, still relevant today.

This entertaining book follows the travels of Italian merchant and adventurer Marco Polo who traveled across Asia. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in a tabloid-news style that guides readers through major journeys, explorations, and discoveries. Topics include what led Polo to travel to China, the Silk Road, life in Central Asia, the Chinese empire, Polo's famous book, and his legacy.

Maps are what make it possible to travel far from home, over land and sea--this unique series examines different types of maps, how they're made and what areas they service, teaching young cartographers and travel fans how to understand the ins and outs of maps and navigation, exploration using maps, maps and measurements, and how maps chart our world.