Books in Through The Ages series

Gladiators have been the subject of fascination and legend for centuries, whether they were fighting fellow gladiators, exotic animals, or participating in hunts. Readers will be engrossed in the history of this potentially deadly sport, its development, and its rise and fall. This tell-all text covers the wide variety of warriors who took part in this vicious combat, their armor, weapons, and their lives including their stardom, the less-than-glamorous, and the gruesome. This enlightening resource also features the equipment, weapons, and armor that made for the most grisly entertainment, bringing crowds to their feet, in both horror and delight.

Their engrossing mythology, fighting prowess, complex culture, and ability to spread fear in the hearts of the peoples they raided make the Vikings a topic of continual fascination. This book covers both Viking society, including its social classes, gender roles, political organization, religious beliefs and practices, and glorification of honor, as well as how the Vikings spread from Scandinavia to establish themselves far and wide. Maps, charts, a timeline, and photographs of historic sites, medieval manuscripts, and Viking art and artifacts are all included. Sidebars offer extra information, such as the role of tattoos and a list of the many realms of Norse myth.

Sharpshooters are much more than skilled marksmen. They must be stealthy and patient, willing to sit hidden in uncomfortable places for hours, and much more. This instructive volume highlights the different weapons, ammunitions, and other equipment favored by various sharpshooters, their benefits and shortcomings, and their development. Readers will also enjoy learning about the favored tactics and ruses used by these eagle-eyed warriors. A list of notable sharpshooters and snipers highlights their fascinating feats as well as the wars in which they participated and country affiliations. Tales of tremendous adventures will keep readers engrossed and eagerly flipping pages.

By the middle of the 18th century, the profession of medicine and its place in the sciences was entering a period of rapid change. Many of the old ideas about the human body and how to cure or prevent diseases were being questioned. But was this just by chance? This book shows how a wide range of inventions, developments, and other factors created ideal circumstances for medicine to make huge advances in the Industrial Age.

Édouard Manet is one of the world’s best-known artists, but he almost wasn’t an artist at all. His father tried to persuade him practice law or join the navy, but Manet wanted to paint. His depictions of modern life, such as café scenes, people going to the opera, and watching horse races, bridged the gap between realism and Impressionism. Readers follow Manet’s career from his early life in Paris to the height of his fame. As they read, they learn about different artistic movements and techniques and other important artists of the period. Manet’s most famous works are presented to readers, along with informative sidebars.

Georgia O’Keeffe is widely regarded as a founder of American Modernism. She is best known for her large, close-up paintings of natural forms and for her desert landscapes. Despite attending art schools and winning awards, she once quit painting for four years because she didn’t think she was good enough. Readers learn these fascinating biographical details and more with this text, which presents O’Keeffe’s life and her best-known works. Readers learn about the time period in which she lived, her contemporaries, and the things that inspired her to paint. Informative sidebars complete a comprehensive learning experience.

Gladiators have been the subject of fascination and legend for centuries, whether they were fighting fellow gladiators, exotic animals, or participating in hunts. Readers will be engrossed in the history of this potentially deadly sport, its development, and its rise and fall. This tell-all text covers the wide variety of warriors who took part in this vicious combat, their armor, weapons, and their lives including their stardom, the less-than-glamorous, and the gruesome. This enlightening resource also features the equipment, weapons, and armor that made for the most grisly entertainment, bringing crowds to their feet, in both horror and delight.

"While Achilles and the other heroes who fought in the Trojan War are, as far as we know, fictional, the warriors of Ancient Greece are nearly as fascinating. The volume traces the evolution of the ancient Greek warrior, from the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, to the rise of Macedonia under Philip II and Alexander the Great. Attention is paid to infantry, including the famous hoplites, cavalry, and naval forces. Sidebars highlight key concepts and figures, while photographs of ancient sculpture, vase paintings, and artifacts offer a glimpse into this distant world"--

Their engrossing mythology, fighting prowess, complex culture, and ability to spread fear in the hearts of the peoples they raided make the Vikings a topic of continual fascination. This book covers both Viking society, including its social classes, gender roles, political organization, religious beliefs and practices, and glorification of honor, as well as how the Vikings spread from Scandinavia to establish themselves far and wide. Maps, charts, a timeline, and photographs of historic sites, medieval manuscripts, and Viking art and artifacts are all included. Sidebars offer extra information, such as the role of tattoos and a list of the many realms of Norse myth.

The notion of a chivalrous knight has been the subject of much romanticizing and myth-making. That said, warriors on horseback were key players in the warfare and political fabric of Europe in the Middle Ages. This informative volume highlights key events in the world on the knight, such as the Battle of Agincourt and the Fourth Crusade. A timeline clarifies how and when figures and events fit into the historical record, sidebars supply interesting facts or define key terms, and profiles introduce interesting figures, such as Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, Sir Henry Percy, and Joan of Arc. Maps, illustrated manuscript details, sculpture, and more illustrate this lively tome.