Were the Vikings, as an early description had it, a 'valiant, wrathful, foreign, purely pagan people' who swept in from the sea to plunder and slaughter? Or in the words of a Manx folksong, "war-wolves keen in hungry quest', who lived and died by the sea and the sword? Or were they unusually successful merchants, extortionists, and pioneer explorers? This book considers the latest research and presents an authoritative account of the Vikings and their...

"Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning British monarch. Discover more engaging details of her life and how she brought the royal family into the twenty-first century"--

"Boston, 1926. Francis Thurston goes through documents left behind by his grandfather's brother, recently deceased under mysterious circumstances. He soon discovers the existence of a cult that worships ancient and unspeakable horrors. Mysterious murders, blood rituals in the depths of the Louisiana swamps, artists who descend into insanity after nightmarish visions, and a Cyclopean city that rises from the sea. Step by step, Thurston realizes that...

A sweeping narrative filled with humor and compassion recreating the feel and texture of the year that heralded the twentieth century--opens New Year's Day 1900 and follows an eclectic group of men and women over the course of the remarkable year.

"Did you know that some animals have natural ninja-like talents? In this book, you'll learn all about them, including geckos, sea urchins, bombardier beetles, and more. For example, geckos can grip almost any surface--including walls and ceilings--with their amazing toes. And when collector urchins are attacked, they release tiny, sharp objects that bear a striking resemblance to throwing stars. You will also meet the scientists who are studying these...

"Enter The Madman's Gallery and discover an extraordinary, illustrated exhibition of the greatest curiosities from the global history of art, featuring one hundred magnificently eccentric antique paintings, engravings, illustrations, and sculptures, each with a fascinatingly bizarre story to tell"--

A little boy visits the zoo with his family for the first time and marvels at all of the wonders it offers.

From Anakin Skywalker to Jabba the Hutt, this is the definitive illustrated guide to all of the characters in the "Star Wars" galaxy. Includes stat boxes, expert text, movie stills, and more than 200 profiles.

"This funny and fact-filled picture book is all about blood: where it's found, what it does, how it travels, and why vampires shouldn't drink it. From the four chambers of the heart to the platelets that clot your blood when you scrape your knee, everything you want to know about the cardiovascular system is right inside these pages. Just watch out for thirsty vampires"--