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Black powder, the world's first chemical explosive, was originally developed in the seventh century, during China's Tang dynasty. It was a crude mixture at first, but over time chemists discovered the optimum proportion of sulfur, charcoal, and nitrates, as well as the best way to mix them so that the particles of each component were tiny and homogenous, resulting in a complete and powerful reaction. Author and chemistry buff Simon Quellen Field takes readers on a decades-long journey through the history of things that go boom, from the early days of black powder to today's modern plastic explosives. Not just the who, when, and why, but also the how. How did Chinese alchemists come to create black powder? What accidents led to the discovery of high explosives? How do explosives actually work on a molecular scale? And though most people have a vague understanding that dynamite is more powerful than gunpowder, what does it mean to be more powerful? Boom! The Chemistry and History of Explosives goes back to the original papers and patents written by the chemists who invented them, to shed light on their development, to explore the consequences of their use for good and ill, and to give the reader a basic understanding of the chemistry that makes them possible.
Examines the 1988 murder of four-year-old Barbara Jean Horn and the conviction of Walter Ogrod, a young man with autism spectrum disorder who had lived across the street from the family at the time of the murder.
Having trouble in your marriage? This book is for you. Tom Gardiner, a Chicago lawyer, explains how post-nuptial agreements can address marital problems effectively. Unlike counseling that often is no more than a temporary fix, this book talks about agreements that will result in long-term change. If your spouse drinks too much, for instance, you both agree in a legally binding document about the changes that need to occur-and the consequences if they don't. There is another huge advantage to post-nups. If the behavior is not changed and divorce is triggered, the terms are set when the parties both seek to save the marriage-not when they're going through an acrimonious break-up. These terms are usually reasonable and fair-who gets the kids and when, a fair amount of alimony for a fair term, division of the property-all because the spouses are seeking a solution at the time. This book covers all of the human frailties that can cause problems in a marriage: financial problems, drinking, drug use, cheating, stepchildren, in-law problems, inheritance, religious issues, and so on. It is a book not just for couples, but for therapists, religious leaders, and others who seek to make marriages stronger and divorces civilized and fair.
There's no need for expensive, high-tech materials to test your engineering skills-you probably have all you need in your home junk drawer. Each hands-on project in this book will challenge you to come up with a unique solution to a specific design problem. Construct a Pasta Bridge strong enough to support a heavy load, using only dry linguini and glue. Build a Marble Roller Coaster from recycled cardboard tubes, in which the marble "e;car"e; jumps a track to land safely at its final destination. Or design an Egg Catch device to safely capture a free-falling egg. Test yourself or use them for friendly competitions-who can come up with the best solution?These 25 open-ended design challenges can be performed for just pennies . . . or less. Each project has a suggested materials list, step-by-step instructions with illustrations for one possible solution, and suggestions on how to adapt each challenge for different ages and skill levels. Educators and parents will find this title a handy resource to teach children problem-solving skills and applied physics, all while having a lot of fun.
Few American cities are as steeped in history as Boston. Starting with its Native American and Puritan roots, through its pivotal role in the Revolutionary War and its many contributions to art and literature, Boston has earned its reputation as a modern, cultural metropolis. This mix of old and new makes Boston a fascinating place to learn about and explore.Boston History for Kids spans 400 years of history, covering many of the major events that have occurred, from witch hunts to an unexpected earthquake, from the Tea Party to the Great Fire, from the Civil War to the Boston Marathon attack. Author Richard Panchyk chronicles the lives of Bostonians both famous and infamous-and many colorful characters that readers may not yet know. This lively history also includes a time line, a list of online resources, and 21 engaging hands-on activities to better appreciate this Massachusetts city. Kids will:Take a tour along the Freedom TrailWrite a poem in the style of Ralph Waldo EmersonCreate a nautical chart like those of Boston HarborBake a Boston cream pieDesign a museum display of historic itemsDraw the facade of a Federal style mansionAnd more!
Wits Guts Grit is inspired by the many questions acclaimed science writer and mother Jena Pincott explored about the natural forces that shape children's minds and health. What if we identify the microbes that support stress resilience and find ways to expose our kids to them? What if we reintroduce the mineral magnesium, deficient in almost every child's diet? Would it reduce anxiety and increase bounce back, as the science now suggests? What if memory and learning could improve measurably after eating certain foods-such as blueberries-high in plant chemicals called flavonols, or after certain forms of exercise? These and many more questions led Pincott to simple, all-natural "e;biohacks"e;-experiments inspired by current research and theory-complete with instructions on how to undertake them to help your own children strengthen their wits, guts, and grit. Explaining the science and her own experimentation with her two gung-ho daughters in a lively, accessible way, Pincott shows parents how the underlying ingredients of the traits we all want for our kids-resilience, focus, perseverance, working memory, and more-may be all around us in the natural world, ready to be harnessed.
Pinball's history is America's history, from gambling and war-themed machines to the arcade revolution and, ultimately, the decline of the need to leave your house. The strangest thing about pinball is that it persists, and not just as nostalgia. Pinball didn't just stick around-it grew and continues to evolve with the times. Somehow, in today's iPhone world, a three-hundred-pound monstrosity of wood and cables has survived to enjoy yet another renaissance. Pinball is more to humor writer Adam Ruben than a fascinating book topic-it's a lifelong obsession. Ruben played competitive pinball for years, rising as high as the 80th-ranked player in the world. Then he had children. Now, mired in 9,938th place-darn kids-Ruben tries to stage a comeback, visiting pinball museums, gaming conventions, pinball machine designers, and even pinball factories in his attempt to discover what makes the world's best players, the real wizards, so good. Along the way, Ruben examines the bigger story of pinball's invention, ascent, near defeat, resurgence, near defeat again, and struggle to find its niche in modern society.
Born into a blue-collar family in the Jim Crow South, Herman J. Russell built a shoeshine business when he was 12 years oldand used the profits to buy a vacant lot where he built a duplex while he was still a teen. In the ensuing 50 years, Russell has
Curtis Mayfield was one of the seminal vocalists and most talented guitarists of his era. He was also a social critic, and his music had a vital influence on the civil rights movement. Todd Mayfield tells his famously private father's story in riveting detail, from his birth into dire poverty and life in the slums of Chicago to the tragic accident that left him paralyzed, and his long-awaited recognition by the music industry.
In the tradition of bestselling legal memoirs from Johnnie Cochran, F. Lee Bailey, Gerry Spence, and Alan Dershowitz, John Henry Browne's memoir, The Devil's Defender, recounts his tortuous education in what it means to be an advocate-and a human being. For the last four decades, Browne has defended the indefensible. From Facebook folk hero "the Barefoot Bandit" Colton Moore, to Benjamin Ng of the Wah Mee massacre, to Kandahar massacre culprit Sgt. Robert Bales, Browne's unceasing advocacy and the daring to take on some of the most unwinnable cases-and nearly win them all-has led 48 Hours' Peter Van Sant to call him "the most famous lawyer in America." But although the Browne that America has come to know cuts a dashing and confident figure, he has forever been haunted by his job as counsel to Ted Bundy, the most famous serial killer in American history. A drug- and alcohol-addicted (yet wildly successful) defense attorney who could never let go of the case that started it all, Browne here asks of himself the question others have asked him all along: does defending evil make you evil, too?
When The Sound of Music was released in 1965, it took the world by storm, capturing five Oscars (including Best Picture) and holding the number-one spot box-office record for five years. For millions of viewers, the film is a rare combination of a powerful and moving story, superb music, and breathtaking scenery. The Sound of Music: The Making of America's Favorite Movie is not only an unequalled tribute to this beloved movie musical but also the most complete behind-the-scenes account of the creation of this Hollywood classic. Through exclusive, in-depth interviews with Robert Wise, Ernest Lehman, Saul Chaplin, Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Kym Karath, Johannes von Trapp, Richard Zanuck, and dozens of other cast and crew members; over 200 stills from the movie's most memorable scenes; rare snapshots from personal scrapbooks; and papers from the Fox Studio archives, Julia Antopol Hirsch has re-created the magic that is The Sound of Music:Julie Andrews's "e;first kiss"e; with Christopher Plummer, she recalls, was crazy, because neither of them could stop laughing.Plummer's after hours festivities with the nuns around the piano often went on way into the night.When she rushed up the mountain for the famous opening scene, Julie Andrews kept getting knocked to the ground by the downdraft from the cameraman's helicopter.Yul Brynner, Walter Matthau, and Sean Connery were all considered for the role of the Captain.Mia Farrow, Sharon Tate, and Richard Dreyfuss auditioned for juvenile roles.Director Robert Wise, under pressure from Fox's Richard Zanuck for being over budget, almost didn't finish the location shoot in Austria because it simply wouldn't stop raining.Now completely updated and in full color throughout, this engaging volume is both an insider's guide to and a delightful celebration of "e;the happiest sound in all the world!"e;
The singular biography of a forgotten abolitionist and educator for young adults Frederick Douglass dismissed Myrtilla's plan to open a school for African American girls in the slaveholding South as "e;reckless, almost to the point of madness."e; But Myrtilla Miner, the daughter of poor white farmers in Madison County, New York, was relentless. Fueled by an unyielding feminist conviction, and against a tide of hostility, on December 3, 1851, the fiery educator and abolitionist opened the School for Colored Girls-the only school in Washington, DC, dedicated to training African American students to be teachers. Although often in poor health, Myrtilla was a fierce advocate for her school, fending off numerous attacks including stonings, arson, and physical threats, and discouraging local "e;rowdies"e; by brandishing her revolver with open displays of target practice. The school would gradually gain national fame and stimulate a nationwide debate on the education of black people. Myrtilla's School for Colored Girls would slowly flourish through the years and exists even today as part of the University of the District of Columbia. The first modern biography of Myrtilla Miner for young adults, This Noble Woman, includes historic photos, source notes, a bibliography, and a list of resources for further exploration, making it an invaluable resource for any student's or history buff's bookshelf.
The history of California in the mid-19th century comes alive in this captivating historical novel. Garnet Cameron, a fashionable young lady of New York, is leading a neat, proper life, full of elegant parties and polite young men, yet the prospect of actually marrying any of them appalls her. Yearning for adventure, she instead marries Oliver Hale, a wild trader who is about to cross the mountains and deserts to an unheard-of land called California. During Garnet and Oliver's honeymoon in New Orleans, she meets a dance-hall performer on the lam who calls herself Florinda Grove and is also traveling to California. Along the Jubilee Trail, Garnet and Florinda meet kinds of men never known to them before, and together they make their painstaking way over the harsh trail to Los Angeles, learning how to live without compromise and discover both true friendship and true love.
Offering sample writings, historical examples, and practical advice, this invaluable and beautifully packaged book contains guidance for all occasions that call for eloquent and inspired love letters. Modern model letters to adapt and use in specific circumstances, tips on letter-writing techniques, and creative suggestions for packaging and delivering messages of love are peppered with fanciful, original Victorian illustrations, making the look of this volume as romantic as the letters within. With charming specificity, guidance and appropriate words are provided for various would-be Shakespeares, from the "morning-after lover" and the "anniversary lover" to the "frustrated lover" and the "neglected lover." Also included are a short history of epistolary romance, 76 model letters, and a host of helpful and witty epigrams.
Exhaustively researched and packed with unique insights, this history journeys from the punk scene's roots in the mid-1960s to the arrival of "new wave" in the early 1980s. With a cast that includes Patti Smith, Pere Ubu, Television, Blondie, the Ramones, the MC5, the Stooges, Talking Heads, and the Dead Boys, this account is the definitive story of early American punk rock. Extraordinarily balanced, it tells the story of the music's development largely through the artists' own words, while thoroughly analyzing and evaluating the music in a lucid and cogent manner. First published in 1993, this was the first book to tell the stories of these then-little-known bands; now, this edition has been updated with a new discography, including imports and bootlegs, and an afterword detailing the post-1970s history of these bands. Filled with insights from interviews with artists such as Lou Reed, Debbie Harry, David Byrne, Patti Smith, and Richard Hell, this book has long been considered one of the essential reads on rock rebellion.
Winner of the 2019 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Book Alexander Graham Bell invented not only the telephone, but also early versions of the phonograph, the metal detector, airplanes, and hydrofoil boats. This Scottish immigrant was also a pioneering speech teacher and a champion of educating those with hearing impairments, work he felt was his most important contribution to society. Bell worked with famous Americans such as Helen Keller and aviators Glenn Curtiss and Samuel P. Langley, and his inventions competed directly with those of Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers. This unique biography includes a time line, a list of online resources, and 21 engaging hands-on activities to better appreciate Bell''s remarkable accomplishments. Kids will: Construct a Pie Tin Telegraph and a Pizza Box Phonograph "See" and "feel" sound by building simple devices Communicate using American Sign Language Send secret messages using Morse code Investigate the properties of ailerons on a paper airplane Build and fly a tetrahedral kite And more!
During Prohibition, while Al Capone was rising to worldwide prominence as Public Enemy Number One, the townspeople of rural Templeton, Iowapopulation just 418were busy with a bootlegging empire of their own. Led by Joe Irlbeck, the whip-smart and gregarious son of a Bavarian immigrant, the outfit of farmers, small merchants, and even the church Monsignor worked together to create a whiskey so excellent it was ordered by name: Templeton Rye. Gentlemen Bootleggers tells a never-before-told tale of ingenuity, bootstrapping, and perseverance in one small town, showcasing a group of immigrants who embraced the American ideals of self-reliance, dynamism, and democratic justice. It relies on previously classified Prohibition Bureau investigation files, federal court case files, extensive newspaper archive research, and a recently disclosed interview with kingpin Joe Irlbeck. Unlike other Prohibition-era tales of big-city gangsters, it provides an important reminder that bootlegging wasnt only about glory and riches, but could be in the service of a higher goal: producing the best whiskey money could buy.
"In 1944, as World War II raged in the Pacific, a young, vivacious Filipino woman with leprosy named Josefina Guerrero was swept up in the underground guerrilla movement in Manila. The convent-educated girl who loved reading poetry and listening to Chopin and Beethoven became one of the most reliable and courageous spies for the United States in the Pacific Theater, putting her life at risk for no reward but to help the Americans oust the Japanese occupiers from her homeland. She stalked through the woods, mapping machine-gun turrets around Manila Bay and delivering the maps to the United States so Gen. Douglas MacArthur's troops knew where to drop bombs. She penetrated Japanese munitions holdings and alerted underground leaders. She secreted food and medicine to U.S. prisoners of war being tortured and starved in internment camps"--
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