Books in National Geographic World History Biographies series

Nelson Mandela comes to life in this portrait of a diplomatic man whose commitment to freedom gained him both the Nobel Peace Prize and Time’s Man of the Year honor. The son of a Thembu chief in South Africa, Mandela began his life-long campaign against white colonial rule while a college student. Kramer’s eloquent, yet approachable text describes the leader’s dedication to nonviolence, his role in the African National Congress and his arrest in 1962 for sabotage and conspiracy. During his 27 years in prison, Mandela continued his fight for a democratic and free society, and ultimately was released and elected president of South Africa.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Our children's understanding of the Muslim world has never been as important as it is today. As events in the Middle East affect world politics, and the Muslim community grows in the United States, knowledge of Islamic tradition and history are now crucial. Flora Geyer's informative, accessible book tells the story of the Crusades from a Muslim point of view. The narrative follows Saladin from his birth into a prominent Kurdish family in Tikrit, Mesopotamia, in 1138. His formative military career leads to Saladin's appointment as vizier of Egypt at 31. After revitalizing the Egyptian economy, Saladin initiates campaigns against smaller Muslim states, eventually uniting Islamic forces and dispelling rivalries that had long hampered the Muslim resistance to the Crusades. Inspired by intense devotion to jihad, or "holy war," Saladin's army recaptures the holy city of Jerusalem after 88 years of Christian occupation.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

In a life of ceaseless exploration, Marco Polo pushed out the borders of his narrow medieval world. Born in Venice in 1254, the young Marco Polo first met his father at age 15, when the elder Polo returned from a trading expedition to the East. The father's tales of the court of the Kublai Khan in China ignited a lifelong passion for adventure in the son. The Polos set out for China in 1271, traveling through the Middle East, across the Gobi Desert, to Khanbaliq in China. The journey took four years. Kublai Khan took a great liking to Marco Polo, employing him as a spy throughout his vast empire. Marco traveled and observed the cultures of Sumatra, Sri Lanka, and India in this capacity. His notes later became one of the world's great travel books, The Description of the World.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

At 5 years old, he composed a minuet. By six, he was performing for royalty. The compelling story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a timeless tale of musical genius, its rewards, and its pitfalls. Author and musician Marcus Weeks takes us around Mozart's world—from the Royal courts of 18th century Europe to the opera houses and balls where Mozart enjoyed triumph and fame. We meet the kings and queens of the age, learn of the young Mozart's favorite games, see the clothes he wore, and the new musical instruments of the time. The lively text also gives readers an appreciation of Mozart's vast legacy of immortal music.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

In a life of ceaseless exploration, Marco Polo pushed out the borders of his narrow medieval world. Born in Venice in 1254, the young Marco Polo first met his father at age 15, when the elder Polo returned from a trading expedition to the East. The father's tales of the court of the Kublai Khan in China ignited a lifelong passion for adventure in the son. The Polos set out for China in 1271, traveling through the Middle East, across the Gobi Desert, to Khanbaliq in China. The journey took four years. Kublai Khan took a great liking to Marco Polo, employing him as a spy throughout his vast empire. Marco traveled and observed the cultures of Sumatra, Sri Lanka, and India in this capacity. His notes later became one of the world's great travel books, The Description of the World.

Around 1412, a baby girl was born in the village of Domremy who would change France forever. A farmer's daughter, she seemed destined for an unremarkable life. But as the dramatic narrative of this World History Biography reveals, Joan’s life was anything but ordinary. By the age of 13, she knew her destiny—to drive the English invaders from France. By 17, she had led an army to victory at Orleans. Captured in battle, and too poor to be ransomed, Joan was burned at the stake before her 20th birthday.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Anne Frank takes young readers back to the dark days of World War II through the story of the famous young diarist. Like teenagers everywhere, Anne wrote about friends, family, movies, her greatest joys, and her deepest fears. Through her vivid, tender entries we experience Anne's changing world, as persecution, hiding, and betrayal, become part of daily life in Nazi Europe. Ann Kramer's superbly illustrated book also celebrates the enduring legacy of Anne Frank. Her story, now known to millions, is an inspiration for young readers—and writers—everywhere. This attractive, superbly illustrated volume will bring a new generation to a story that should never be forgotten.

Born in Rome around 100 B.C., Gaius Julius Caesar grew up to lead of one of the world's greatest empires. A boy of fierce drive and ambition, he was tutored from the age of six. The teenage Gaius became head of his household at 16 and master of his own destiny. Caesar joined the military and at 22 he returned to Rome to begin his unstoppable rise to power. This National Geographic World History Biography leads readers through the intriguing world of Ancient Rome, with a time line, graphic illustrations of historical events, and maps of Rome and its far reaching empire.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

A shy, serious boy, Mahatma Gandhi would later lead India to nationhood and change the course of history. After studying law in London, he championed Indian rights in South Africa for two decades. He returned to India in 1914, leading a campaign of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience against British rule. Philip Wilkinson's lively narrative takes us through his remarkable life, up to India's independence in 1947, and the tragic conclusion; in 1948 Gandhi was assassinated by a fanatic opposed to his program of tolerance for all creeds and religions.

No one thought that Elizabeth would live to become Queen of England. Her father, Henry VIII, beheaded her mother, Anne Bolyn, for treason in 1536. He then disowned his daughter, declaring her illegitimate. But in 1544, Parliament reestablished her in the line of succession after her half brother and her half sister.Endowed with immense personal courage and a keen awareness of her responsibility as a ruler, Elizabeth commanded throughout her reign the unwavering respect and allegiance of her subjects.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Has any other artist left the world such a vast legacy as Michelangelo? Author Philip Wilkinson leads young readers on a journey of discovery through the life and works of the Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, and poet in a visually evocative book. Wilkinson's lively narrative follows Michelangelo from his early apprenticeship in fresco through his fascination with sculpture, which gave us such masterpieces as the Pieta and David. Readers learn how Michelangelo studied anatomy by cutting up cadavers and of his tortuous struggle to release the human form from raw stone. With the help of period artwork, quotes, and photographs of artifacts, the book traces Michelangelo's lifelong association with the Medici family and his Vatican patronage through several papacies. His monumental work on the Sistine Chapel ceiling is examined in detail, as is Michelangelo's role as Chief Architect to St. Peter's. Michelangelo's story will enthrall all who are inspired by the search for perfection.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.