Books in Crabtree Groundbreaker Biographies series

For nearly two decades, Dian Fossey immersed herself in the study of mountain gorillas in Africa. She became known as a highly respected primatologista scientist who studies apes and other primatesand a fiercely devoted champion of their safety and preservation. Fossey had made powerful enemies because of her opposition to the gorilla-related tourism industry and her knowledge of animal trafficking among members of the government. In 1985, she was found murdered in her cabin in Rwanda. The case remains unsolved to this day, but her intense love for this endangered species helped create a legacy that survives in the work of others to this day.

Throughout his life, basketball superstar Earvin Magic Johnson has met both challenges and opportunities with perseverance and leadership. Dubbed "Magic," Johnson blazed a spectacular career in basketball. His play with the Los Angeles Lakers as point guard alongside center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as well as his epic rivalry with the Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird, marked a legendary era in the NBA. In 1991, Magic announced he had tested positive for HIV, a virus that can lead to the life-threatening disease AIDS, and was retiring from basketball. Little was known then about HIV/AIDS and its prevention. His declaration shocked the public but succeeded in putting a familiar and much-admired face on a disease that was shrouded in fear and prejudice. Magic Johnson's legacy includes his inspirational work as an advocate for the prevention of HIV and the still-incurable disease AIDS through his own foundation, which provides programs for HIV/AIDS education and prevention, including testing and safe sex practices.

For nearly two decades, Dian Fossey immersed herself in the study of mountain gorillas in Africa. She became known as a highly respected primatologista scientist who studies apes and other primatesand a fiercely devoted champion of their safety and preservation. Fossey had made powerful enemies because of her opposition to the gorilla-related tourism industry and her knowledge of animal trafficking among members of the government. In 1985, she was found murdered in her cabin in Rwanda. The case remains unsolved to this day, but her intense love for this endangered species helped create a legacy that survives in the work of others to this day.

This inspiring book tells the story of Oprah Winfrey. Born and raised in crushing poverty, she transformed her childhood fascination with the media into a series of jobs on local TV and radio. After reviving the ratings of a Chicago talk show, she formed her own production company and began her personal version of an all-American success story. Today, Oprah is looked upon not only as an accomplished African-American woman, but as a confidant and inspiration to hundreds of millions around the world. Called the Queen of a vast media empire, she has experienced both admiration and critical scrutiny and become one of the worlds most influential and openly generous women.

Before they spearheaded the musical phenomenon called the British Invasion, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr were just four kids from Liverpool. Throughout the 1960s, however, they embodied, as the Beatles, the musical, artistic, social, and spiritual promise of an entire generation. After their stormy breakup in 1970, the Fab Four became four solo artists, at times even appearing on each others recordings. In addition to the millions of records each band member has sold on his own since their breakup, more than 40 Beatles compilation albums have been released and continue to sell millions of copies. To this day, more than one billion Beatles recordings have sold, and thousands of books, academic papers, blogs, and websites are dedicated to the group. Despite being the Beatles for only a decade, John, Paul, George, and Ringo together formed the most successfuland arguably the most influentialmusical group in history.

"Albert Einstein was a theoretical physicist and an intellectual giant of the twentieth century. This fascinating biography reveals Einstein's life story, and how his theories changed the way we looked at the universe. Born in Germany in 1879, Einstein focused his studies on science and mathematics. He won a Nobel Prize in Physics and was instrumental in persuading U.S. President Roosevelt to pursue the development of the atomic bomb in World War II. Einstein published hundreds of research papers, articles, and books and lectured at universities in Europe and the United States until his death in 1955. Einstein's name is synonymous with genius, and, not surprisingly, his brain has been preserved for study."--

This fascinating book details the achievements of Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield who in December 2012 embarked on perhaps his greatest assignmenta five-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). By the time he returned to Earth, Chris had become the first Canadian to serve as an ISS Commander. High atop his list of achievements is the new excitement for space that he has brought to Earth through his mastery of social media. From fun educational sessions aboard the ISS with grade-school kids on Earth to providing his millions of fans a constant flow of stunning photographs and inspiring messages on Twitter. The astronaut dubbed Commander Cool has tapped into the Information Age to bring wit, wisdom, and enthusiasm to a new generation of space fanatics.

Sally Ride soared into outer space on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983, the youngest astronaut and the first U.S. woman in space. Just 32 years old that year, this California girl was already an accomplished astrophysicist when NASA chose her from over 8,000 applicants to join its team of astronauts. Since then, Sally Ride has spent over 343 hours in space.