Books in Signature Lives: Modern America series

From the late 19th century into the 21st century, technological and cultural advancements transformed the world into a new and modern place. These advancements changed the way people lived, worked, and thought about themselves and the world. The combination of all these changes continues to produce what we know as the modern world. Yo-Yo Ma ranks among the world’s greatest and most popular cello players. He came to national attention at age 15 when he performed on television. After college, Ma began a career as a solo cellist performing with the world’s major orchestras. He has expanded his career to serve as a musical educator and ambassador, sharing the common language of music with others throughout the world.

Elizabeth Dole has spent most of her life serving the public. She held U.S. Cabinet positions as secretary of transportation and secretary of labor, and served as president of the American Red Cross. Her husband, Bob Dole, was a U.S. senator and was the Republican Party nominee for the presidency in 1996. While her husband lost his race, Elizabeth Dole won many admirers traveling the United States on the campaign trail. In 2002, she was elected U.S. senator, representing her home state of North Carolina.

From 1900 to the present day, humanity and the world have undergone major changes. Drastic shifts in theories and practice tested the standards of personal freedoms and religious conventions as well as science, technology, and industry. The new mind-set of the modern world includes a focus on humanitarianism and the belief that a global economy has made the world a more connected place. Starting as a fascist newspaper editor in the early 1900s, Benito Mussolini rallied enough support to become prime minister of Italy in 1922. He would go on to lead Italy into World War II and befriend Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader of Germany. Even with the help of his powerful ally, Mussolini’s war efforts would not succeed. Mussolini resigned from power and was executed by his own countrymen

By the time he was 9 years old, Booker T. Washington had already witnessed the horrors of slavery, civil war, and racism. At the age of 16, Washington’s lifelong passion for learning was ignited, and when he turned 25, he established the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in Alabama. The school was open to African-American students who wanted to learn vocational skills as a part of their education. Washington also became a leading spokesman for the African-American community.

Growing up in a family of migrant farm workers, Cesar Chavez saw the poor working conditions farm laborers faced firsthand. As an adult, Chavez worked to improve the lives of farm workers who often had limited resources and struggled to provide for their families. His life’s work as a civil rights leader helped countless laborers as he led them in peaceful work strikes and boycotts.

Amy Tan’s very first novel, The Joy Luck Club, made her name known around the world. Her successful novels, picture books, and essays captivate readers of all ages. Tan’s success has not come easily, however. She first had to learn to embrace her Chinese heritage. And she had to deal with her stormy and trouble-filled childhood. But the author lives her life with enthusiasm and zest, and continues to write award-winning fiction for her many readers.

From the late 19th century into the 21st century, technological and cultural advancements transformed the world into a new and modern place. These advancements changed the way people lived, worked, and thought about themselves and the world. The combination of all these changes continues to produce what we know as the modern world. Thurgood Marshall was the first African-American named to the Supreme Court. He opposed segregation and fought for racial equality in a world of prejudice. Marshall held firmly to his beliefs of an equal America and worked hard to bring freedom, justice, equality, and respect to all people, including blacks, women, the homeless, and the mentally ill.