Contemporary fiction. 'I walk'd about on the shore, lifting up my hands, and my whole being, as I may say, wrapt up in the contemplation of my deliverance . . . reflecting upon all my comrades that were drown'd, and that there should not be one soul sav'd but my self . . . ' Who has not dreamed of life on an exotic isle, far away from civilization? Here is the novel which has inspired countless imitations by lesser writers, none of which equal the...

Charles Dickens' classic story of a young boy who seeks his fortune on the streets of London. After Oliver Twist asks nasty Mr Bumble for more food, he has to flee the workhouse for the streets of London. Here he meets the Artful Dodger, who leads him to Fagin and his gang of pickpockets. When a thieving mission goes wrong, Oliver narrowly avoids prison and finds himself in the care of kind Mr Brownlow. But Fagin and the brutal Bill Sikes go in search...

A photo essay examining the design, construction, and uses of hand weapons and armor from a Stone Age axe to the revolvers and rifles of the Wild West. Be an eyewitness to awesome and bloody weapons such as swords, knuckledusters, and pistols -- and the equipment used to deflect deadly slashes, blows, and bullets. See a ceremonial knife from Sudan. Find out how far a crossbow could fire an arrow. Discover why powder flasks were made of cow horn. New...

Photographs and text explore the behavior and life cycles of butterflies and moths, examining mating rituals, camouflage, habitat, growth from pupa to larva to adult, and other aspects.

"Unearth a treasure trove of geological knowledge with this in-depth guide to over 500 rocks and minerals"--

Examines the equipment, rules, and background of many different team, target, and court sports, including soccer, rugby, Gaelic football, softball, cricket, ice hockey, table tennis, archery, and pool.

Text and photographs explore the world of the dinosaurs, focusing on such aspects as their teeth, feet, eggs, and fossils. From cover to cover, this openly invites the reader to discover the delights of dinosaurs. The visual appeal is impressive. The text is informative. Fossilization, skeleton reconstruction, and a superb time scale round out a stunning and compelling book. Complete, authoritative, exact, and imaginative, it is sure to survive when...

A photographic essay about flags from countries all over the world and such special flags as signal flags for ships and boats, flags for special festivals and sports, political flags and coats of arms. Also includes information about the meaning of shapes and colors on flags.