Books published by publisher Chartwell Books, Inc.

Photography was still in its infancy when the Civil War broke out in 1861, yet one young man, Mathew B. Brady, had the vision to create a detailed photographic record of the conflict, which nobody imagined would last for more than a few months.Brady and his associate photographers made literally thousands of images, for the most part now in the care of the Library of Congress. This book is intended as a tribute to the talented, hardy, and ardent photographers, reproducing a selection of their works--blemishes and all--which are now recognized as the first in depth photo documentation of warfare.

Mankind's relationship with the dog can be traced back for thousands of years. Indeed, the dog is probably our oldest non-human companion. Excavations of Middle Eastern fossils, believed to be at least 12,000 years old.Interestingly, for an animal that has been so important to us for so very long, there is uncertainty as to the exact way in which domestication of the dog occurred. We cannot even be absolutely sure of the evolutionary route by which the dog itself came about- although most experts are in agreement that the wolf is the most probable ancestor.Man's best friend takes center stage in this lavish, full-color depiction of nearly every breed in existence. Mankind's association with the domestic dog can be traced back thousands of years. Celebrated in art and extolled in legend, the dog has proved to be perhaps our most valuable and best-loved animal friend. When the first wolf-like ancestors of the domestic dog began to scavenge from the settlements of early human beings, there began an alliance which is unique among our relationships with the other animals around us. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Breeds first describes the origins and nature of the dog, and provides valuable advice and guidance concerning all aspects of dog ownership and care, including choosing and keeping your animal healthy - whether it be a pedigree or a crossbreed.

Use the carefully crafted outlines in this gorgeous coloring book to produce your own stunning fractal artwork with colored pencils, markers, or crayons while improving your artistic skills and having fun. Some of the most intriguing patterns are found in fractals. Never-ending with shapes reminiscent of objects seen in nature, fractals contain miniature copies of themselves. In this book you will find a rich source of beautiful patterns just waiting for you to bring them to life with vivid colors. Assembled here is a treasure trove of fractal outlines, both ancient and modern, that you will love to personalize and make your own. Take your coloring to a whole new creative level with the Fractal Coloring Book. Whether you lose yourself in the coloring of one of these mesmerizing designs or use them to decorate a serene space at home, viewing a colorful fractal promises to inspire a sense of calm and tranquility. The Fractal Coloring Book is not your ordinary coloring book, and it will inspire children and adults alike. For more fabulous and unconventional coloring books, check out other books in the series, including Impressionist Coloring Book, Fairies Coloring Book, Flowers Coloring Book, Tattoo Coloring Book, Mandala Coloring Book and Victoriana Coloring Book. There is no right or wrong way to choose colors for these wonderful objects, a happy fact that leaves you free to let your imagination be your guide.

How can some animals change color, when we can't? How can they grow new limbs when one gets broken? How can they hear sounds we can't hear, or predict a storm long before we can? If you want to know the answer to these and many other questions, just ask an animal! This brightly colored, kid-friendly, hardcover reference book is packed to the gills with trunk-fulls of animal information. Animals use different skills to perform these extraordinary feats, so for each question, there are answers from several creatures, each of whom has developed his or her own special skills. On each page there is a box explaining how humans try to emulate these animal super-skills, with varying degrees of success! The book is divided into four sections, each dealing with different aspects of animal skills. Chapters on the physical traits and feats of animals, their senses, their climates and habitats, and their extreme skills will leave readers with a plethora of details about their friends in the animal kingdom. Complete with a glossary and an index, this is a handy reference book for any curious child.

Part of the Oxford People series, Myths & Legends brings together the principal mythologies, legends, and folklore of ancient and modern cultures and explores the relationship that they have with their people and with the major religions of the world. Rock paintings of the rainbow serpent in Australia date back more than 6,000 years and the legend has been passed down orally for even longer. The Aboriginal dreaming about this mystical being with a kangaroo head and crocodile tail is the personification of fertility and abundance. Its significance to the culture of indigenous Australians is priceless. Whether or not it ever existed is unimportant, as the riches come from the lessons the rainbow serpent teaches about life, death, survival, and love.This and other ancient legends have assisted the human race in understanding the complex world we live in, even if they have been embellished over the years. This comprehensive study on the myths and legends of the world can be told as bedtime stories or enjoyed as extracurricular reading by those who love history. Myths & Legends is a fascinating book full of tales from all over the world that have been passed down for generations.

Illustrated with detailed artworks and full-color photographs, Jet Fighters Inside Out is a comprehensive study of key air superiority and ground attack aircraft developed since World War II. Arranged chronologically, each aircraft has a cutaway artwork labelled with key items of interest, and accompanying photographs showing both the aircraft's cockpit and exterior in detail, from every angle.With detailed specifications for each fighter aircraft, all the major types are featured, including the Phantom II, MiG-21 and F-22 Raptor, making Jet Fighters Inside Out an essential reference guide for modellers and aviation enthusiasts.

The Crystals Healing Handbook is loaded with key information on 45 of the most powerful crystals in existence. This is your chance to harness that ancient power. The mineral kingdom and the crystals it contains are the foundation of all physical matter and of life itself. Crystals are the most orderly, most stable forms of matter in the entire universe. Their beauty, striking colors, and forms have always attracted attention, and yet their value goes far beyond surface appearance. With The Crystals Healing Handbook, you will discover how to use the incredible power of these special formations to develop a deeper understanding of your abilities, your relationships and even your future. This easy to follow guide will show how to practice divination techniques that harness a million years of earth energy to reveal your lives, loves, and destiny. This all inclusive primer features 45 of the most powerful crystals in existence, with information about their mythology, history, spiritual and healing properties, and divinatory interpretations. Take control of your life and beyond by performing age-old rituals and magic spells using crystals and much more.

Vampires explores the diverse myths and legends, their impact upon popular culture and the possible explanations behind such phenomena. The book also investigates the lives of real-life individuals who have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of blood, drawing on the vampiric tradition for their inspiration.From Count Dracula to Edward Cullen, for centuries we have been enthralled by the mysterious legends that surround these dangerous creatures, and vampires rarely have been more popular than they are today. Pale-skinned, dark-cloaked, garlic-hating—the folklore is crawling with memorable images that share one thing in common: their lust for blood.This book examines the vampire myth from all angles: from its genesis in folklore to its status today as one of the most iconic figures in popular culture. We will try to find out how this strange creature, who came into being centuries ago transformed through gothic imagination from a hideous monster into a suave villain. This book creates a beautiful addition to anyone interested in the paranormal, and a great gift for gothic readers.

Based on contemporary reports and diaries and supported with historic photographs and period posters, Houdini is an intriguing biography of the world’s greatest magician and escape artist. Ninety years after his death, this brings both the man and his magic back to life again for one last performance. In the early 1900s, Houdini’s handcuff show was a huge sensation which toured the best venues in the USA and Europe, and when audiences demanded more, so he introduced straight-jackets, water-filled tanks, and nailed shut packing crates. His outdoor spectaculars became increasingly elaborate. In the early winter of 1906, he leaped manacled from the MacArthur Bridge in Detroit, MI, freeing himself from two pairs of handcuffs beneath the icy waters. Houdini's mega-star status allowed him to fly airplanes, star in his own movies, write and publish his own books, and even become president of the Society of American Magicians. This biography is an authoritative view from accomplished biographer Charlotte Montague, and belongs on the shelf of any lover of magic, escape artistry, and enigmatic figures.