New Releases by Brendan January

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, emerged in the Middle East during the first decade of the 2000s. The group vows to wage violent jihad, or holy war, on those who do not adhere to its extremist interpretation of Islamic law. ISIS conquers territory and rules savagely. ISIS terrorists manipulate social media brilliantly, shocking viewers around the globe with brutal video footage. Government leaders and agencies all over the world are working to prevent the next ISIS attack. How can nations combat ISIS? Can it be defeated with military force? This in-depth investigation tackles these and other thorny issues related to the twenty-first-century face of global terrorism.

The Internet gives us information, communication options, shopping opportunities, entertainment, and much more—all at the touch of a fingertip and much of it for free. But in exchange for these benefits, we may be losing a basic right: the right to privacy. By clicking to accept website user agreements, we often allow companies to track our activities online and to share our data with outside groups. In addition, the police and government agencies can also track people online—and this tracking is sometimes done secretly, without user agreements or search warrants. Privacy laws and the US Constitution are supposed to protect privacy in the United States, as are laws and conventions in other parts of the world. But judicial and legal systems have not kept pace with technology. And until laws catch up, users enter a legal gray area when they communicate digitally—an arena in which their most private conversations might not be protected from intrusion. Such intrusion can be dangerous: government agencies can use information obtained via digital spying to harass, arrest, or imprison citizens. Other groups can use private digital data to discriminate in banking, housing, and other businesses. Around the world, critics are sounding the alarm about digital privacy. Many have called for stricter controls on data tracking. What rights do you have when it comes to privacy online? How can you be a smart cyber citizen and protect your personal digital data? These questions are at the heart of the Internet privacy debate.

Known for his art, inventions, and ideas, Leonardo da Vinci is the definition of a "Renaissance Man," someone able to succeed in many different areas. Da Vinci''s Mona Lisa and The Last Supper are two of the most famous paintings in history. His sketches of inventions and the human body have stayed in the minds of people for hundreds of years. Da Vinci''s work and ideas have lived on long after he died, inspiring creative people in the modern world to reach new heights. Learn the story of one of the most important artists of all time in Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance Painter.

Genocide has become the human rights issue of our time. This book focuses on the genocides of the twentieth century, explaining what genocide is and discussing it in light of international law. The approach is thematic, examining causes, implementation, results, justice, and the survivors. It includes discussions of the Armenians, the Holocaust, the Cambodians of the killing fields, Tutsis of Rwanda, the Muslims of Bosnia, and non-Arabs in Darfur, Sudan. It includes firsthand accounts and experiences of this sensitive topic.

Can one man’s religious experience change the whole world? In the A.D. 600s, in the Arabian city of Mecca, a merchant named Muhammad began to receive and share messages from God. Muhammad attracted many followers. Eventually the revelations formed the basis for a new religion, Islam. By the time of Muhammad’s death, the Islamic religion had spread across the Arabian Peninsula. Muhammad’s successors continued to bring Islam to surrounding lands. Often, they used peaceful means to win converts. Other times, they imposed the religion through forceful conquests. Within one hundred years of Muhammad’s death, Arab Muslim armies had achieved stunning victories over two major empires, the Persians and the Byzantines. By the mid-700s, Islam was established from India to North Africa and Spain. Converts adopted the Arabic language, studied Arab poets and scholars, and built grand mosques for worship. Today more than one billion people worldwide practice Islam. The Arab conquests of the Middle East, which introduced a new world religion across geography and cultures, is one of world history’s pivotal moments.

Examines the first "small war" in US history and its consequences.

In the Middle Eastern nation of Iran, discontent simmered for decades. The Iranian people despised their leader, Reza Shah, who catered to foreign businesses while ruling Iran as a dictator. In 1979 discontent boiled up into all-out revolution. Led by the charismatic Ayatollah Khomeini, the Iranian people seized control and created a new government based on the Islamic religion. The Iranian Revolution quickly became a showdown between the ideas and values of Islam and those of the West—particularly the United States. The most dramatic event in this showdown occurred in late 1979, when Iranian students captured a group of U.S. Embassy staff, holding them hostage for more than a year. During the following decades, the revolution recast the face of the Middle East: it set in motion a movement of Islamic fundamentalism—a movement that has taken center stage in world events in the twenty-first century. The Iranian Revolution is an ongoing story. However the story ends, the revolution is surely one of world history’s most pivotal moments.

Looks at genocides of six different peoples--the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire, the Jews of Europe, the Cambodians, the Tutsis of Rwanda, the Muslims of Bosnia, and Darfur tribes of Sudan.

Discusses the history of the presidency and the many duties of the president, and looks at specific presidents during key periods in history.

Presents a history of the Supreme Court, explaining its origins in the Constitutional Convention, its early history, and some landmark cases.

Native American art is tied closely to its culture. This title examines what art reveals about history and simultaneously how history explains the art. It explores past civilizations through both the images it produced and cultural artifacts that remain. The title focuses on how art and architecture from the Native Americans reflect life at the time, and how we can use the surviving art to understand how people used to live.

Arts and crafts offer a window into Native American cultures, reflecting their histories, technologies, beliefs, and everyday life. Every piece of Native American art tells us something about the environment and the culture in which it was developed, so that we can see how and why people make their art. The World Art & Culture series looks at cultures around the world, using artifacts as primary sources to explain how and what we can learn about a culture through its art. From painting to sculpture, textiles to metalwork, architecture to musical instruments, the series explores a fascinating and thought-provoking variety of arts, crafts, designs, and styles. Book jacket.

Reveals what people need to succeed in the sport of baseball, from learning basic skills in their youth to being talented, dedicated, and training a lot is necessary to becoming a champion all-star player.

Champions aren''t born that way-they''re made through hard work and devotion. Each inspirational and enlightening book in this series features close-up case studies of world-class athletes as it presents the training, techniques, and skills necessary to be a champion. The various levels of the sport are also covered, as are the realities of life as a professional athlete.

Describes the causes of the Civil War, the generals involved involved in the Battle of Gettysburg, the course of the fighting, and the battle''s aftermath.

Dramatic and defining moments in American history come vividly the life in the Cornerstones of Freedom series.

Once known as "Custer''s Last Stand," the battle of Little Bighorn was the last triumph of the Plains Indians over Federal troops. Yet, the story of the battle is not simply one of Native Americans triumphing over Federal forces. Rather it is a gripping and poignant story of how the winners-the Native Americans in this case-became the ultimate losers of everything they held dear as a result of an overwhelming and unanticipated victory that served only to accelerate the use of military force against them. Little Bighorn presents a balanced view of the battle and its context in a clear, informative and engaging way. It does this not only by covering the battle''s background, course and aftermath, but also by setting the scene, describing the way of life of the Lakota and Cheyenne Indians, the movement of white settlers West, and how their actions and attitudes quickly began to erode the Indian way of life. The battle of Little Bighorn continues to fascinate people today, both because the battlefield itself continues to yield secrets and because it stands as a rare Native American victory in their struggle to preserve their way of life. Numerous illustrations, maps and relevant quotations enrich the substantial text of Little Bighorn. The book ends with a section on the battlefield today, which includes information on recent archaeological finds, along with a timeline, a glossary, and lists of books to read and places to visit.--

Presents a study of the civil rights movement in the United States.

Recounts events of September 11, 2001, when terrorists flew into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, discusses what is known of the terrorists, and relates how America has responded to the tragedy.

By the age of twenty-five. George Washington was an experienced wilderness traveler, a surveyor, and a soldiet. When the American Revolution began, his natural leadership and practical experience made him the obvious choice as general of the Continental Army. He lost many battles, but kept his army together and eventually led it to victory. Soon he was chosen chairman of the Constitutional Convention, then was elected the first president of the United States under the new Constitution. Just as he had done with his army in wartime, he held the nation together through difficult times. He also set many presidential precedents that continue to this day. Book jacket.

Surveys globalization through an examination of the groups that both support and protest this political and economic movement.

Uses a variety of sources, by people who were there, to give an insight into a particular period of history.

"Little" James Madison made giant contributions to the establishment of the United States. He presented many of the major ideas for the new U.S. Constitution in 1787. He led the fight to get the Constitution ratified, defeating strong opposition in his home state of Virginia and writing brilliant essays arguing for ratification. He worked with Thomas Jefferson to create one of the two original political parties and helped get Jefferson elected president. After serving as Jefferson''s secretary of state, Madison was elected the fourth president. As president during the War of 1812, he was criticized for U.S. defeats in battle. Soon afterward, however, U.S. fortunes improved, and Britain agreed to end the war. The United States gamed confidence from the war and Madison retired a popular president. Book jacket.

Traces the life of Fidel Castro, discussing his childhood, education, role as a revolutionary, and as leader of Cuba.

Biography of the Renaissance artist describes some of his achievements in painting and science.

Explores the life and career of the jazz trumpeter who was nicknamed Satchmo.

Presents the biography of Hernan Cortes a Spanish explorer known for his exploration and settlement of Mexico.