Best Selling Books by John Farndon

Follow four centuries of discovery and change, from the moment people set out to explore the world to turbulent times when it turned upside down—even for the people who stayed home! See how South American gold fueled Spain''s Golden Age, Ivan the Terrible expanded Russia at a terrible cost, a French king and an English king lost their heads (literally), and the United States won independence. Illustrated maps highlight key events and give a bird''s eye view of what was happening when and where—including mind-blowing inventions such as the telegraph, photography, and the car.

From cyber worlds to nano-technology, discover an array of always-changing technologies. High-interest, humorous illustrations and bite-sized facts will keep young readers engaged.

Being sick is horrible. But it used to be worse. Inside this book, you''ll see evidence of the plagues of the past—rotting skin, dissolving lungs, and sinister swelling all over the body. Diseases like the Black Death wiped out whole towns and villages. Tuberculosis consumed young people like a bloodsucking vampire. And Smallpox left its victims scarred for life—if they survived. At the time, no one knew where these killer diseases came from or how to treat them. But eventually doctors discovered how these diseases and others were spread. Being sick isn''t quite as sickening as it was in the past!

Explore the structures you encounter in your everyday life and around the world that exist because of engineering. Discover how the world''s tallest building stays standing and more with full-color illustrations designed to keep young readers engaged and entertained while they learn.

It''s easy to take a pill when we aren''t feeling well. But did you know that the art of making medicines goes back thousands of years? Early remedies weren''t always so easy—or effective. Some seemed downright disgusting. Wine infused with a venomous snake was used to cure fatigue and hair loss. Snail slime soothed burns, and a mixture of ear wax and mud treated headaches. Discover more about how medicine was practiced centuries ago and how, eventually, scientists discovered some truly amazing remedies, from the magic bullet that treated syphilis to the insulin used for diabetes.

With a population of 11⁄4 billion people and the world''s second largest economy, China is fast becoming one of the most powerful and important countries in the world. But while it is one of the world''s oldest civilisations, China refuses to conform to expectations. The country''s controversial policies, ranging from the one child policy to the repression of opposition groups, have placed it at odds with other world powers, and yet its influence in the world is growing ever stronger. We all need to know more about this fascinating country. John Farndon explores the changing face of modern China and its fundamental contradictions, as a communist state where business is booming, as a nation that continues to support North Korea even as it develops its relationships with the West. Getting to the heart of these and other inconsistencies, Farndon gives a fascinating introduction to the country as it is now and as it will be in the future, revealing how China''s changing face will affect us all.

A bird flu pandemic is inevitable—so we are told. First identified in China, this apparently merciless virus, which originated in chickens, has the potential to mutate and kill thousands, even millions of people. John Farndon offers a compact, one-stop read that tells it straight. The public doesn’t want to spend months doing research, and Bird Flu provides readers with all the necessary information. This is something that can’t be pushed aside and ignored––people really do need to know if there is anything to fear, and if so, what can they do about it.

Learn how number systems and measurements allow us to make sense of the world. Discover how important addition and subtraction are and look at cell division with illustrated spreads designed to give readers fast, digestible facts that keep them engaged.

Explore rocks and minerals with the bestselling Magnificent Book of series. Stunning illustrations, fun facts, and a detailed map bring the subject to life for readers 8-12. Delve beneath the earth’s surface to discover the wonders that hide there, from glittering minerals to stunning patterned rocks. See the watermelon colors of tourmaline, the shimmering glow of beryl, and the radiant beauty of amethyst. Each rock and mineral is depicted in stunning and accurate original illustrations. Find out how these incredible natural creations are formed, why they are such vivid colors, and why some are so rare. With incredible illustrations, intriguing facts, and full-color, poster-sized illustrations, The Magnificent Book of Rocks and Minerals is the ideal reference for the whole family. 36 ROCKS AND MINERALS: Learn about dozens of rocks and minerals, from the shining emerald to the huge crystals of fluorite. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED: Vibrant, detailed images bring these incredible rocks and minerals to life. A map at the back of the book shows where each specimen can be found. FASCINATING FACTS: Includes hundreds of fascinating facts in an easy-to-read format that will enthrall budding geologists and petrologists of all ages. COLLECT THE SERIES: More bestselling, beautifully illustrated compendiums for all ages include The Magnificent Book of Endangered Animals, The Magnificent Book of Butterflies and Moths, The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs, The Magnificent Book of Sharks, and The Magnificent Book of Dragons.

Stuff You Need to Know virtually overflows with illustrations and information about 28 activities and objects from everyday life. In fact, the book is so jam-packed that eight gatefolds provide the extra room needed to explain complex activities. Each item is on a double-page spread filled edge to edge with informative text in numbered sequence. Accurate, lighthearted illustrations reveal everything a step at a time. The "stuff" ranges from taking out the garbage to launching a rocket. Here are some examples: Electricity -- Steam power, turbine, magnet, generator, current, transformer, mains, fuse, meter Making a Pizza (gatefold): How does a pizzeria deliver a pizza so quickly? Ingredients for the pizza base and topping, what they are, and where they come from. Microwave Oven -- Molecules, waves, cross-section of a microwave oven, protective layer, timer 3D Printer -- 3D model, CAD, programming in sections, nozzles, layers, spool, nozzle, acetone Setting Up a Satellite (gatefold) -- SatNet, geostationary, ACTS, transponder, thrusters, parabolic antennae Solar Panels -- Thermal energy, photo voltaic panels, pump, solar energy, solar power stations Toilet Tank -- Float, siphon tank, siphon ball, bowl, flow, suction, piston, valve, water supply pipe Weather Report -- Weather balloons, weather centers, satellites, GTS, supercomputer, chart, forecast. Stuff You Need to Know! has the fascinating stories behind the everyday activities that we all take for granted. Readers of all ages will be surprised where the answers take them.

Jump back in time to discover what was happening during the mysterious Middle Ages. Some people occupied themselves with putting crowns on their heads, others kept busy discovering and spreading new religions, and some focused on invasion and conquest. Follow along as warlords carve out kingdoms in Europe, China''s only empress comes to power, Vikings set foot in America, and Mongol hordes create the greatest land empire. Fun, illustrated maps sweep you across the world from the Incas'' Machu Picchu to medieval Mali and shogun Japan and on to the court of Kublai Khan. What a ride!

Travel down the Nile and into the heart of an ancient tomb with young Neferu, who is training to mummify a great pharaoh. Look over his shoulder to witness the dog-headed Anubis weighing the heart of a corpse, or the brains being removed and the body wrapped. Unlock the secrets and rituals as you see how to prepare for the afterlife in Ancient Egypt more than three thousand years ago. But make sure to keep safe by using spells from the Book of the Dead!

Take an enthralling journey from the Stone Age onward, and see how our ancestors became great builders and rulers. They grew food, discovered metals, made tools, and invented writing. You will see a mighty civilization in Egypt, wise Chinese philosophy, Maya culture in Central America, the colossal Roman Empire, and much more. Illustrated maps let you compare what is happening across the globe at various moments in time. While the Santorini volcano was wiping out the Minoan civilization, flushing toilets were being invented in the Indus Valley (Pakistan). The Greeks held the earliest Olympic Games while the Zapotec built pyramids in Mexico. Find out where it all started!

The ancient birthplace of some of the world''s major religions and now a modern nuclear power, India is experiencing spectacular economic growth. In twenty-five years its population will overtake that of China, making it one of the most populous and rapidly-developing countries in the world. We all need to know more about this intriguing country. John Farndon explores the changing face of modern-day India and its fundamental contradictions. The country is leading the world in cutting edge technology and research, but it is also home to 40 per cent of the world''s malnourished children. It is a liberal democracy, yet its political processes are influenced by some of the most conservative religious ideas in the world. The booming economy is at times both global and archaic. Getting to the heart of these inconsistencies, Farndon gives a fascinating insight into the country as it is now and as it will be in the future, and reveals how the changes in India will affect us all.

It''s the year 1492, the height of the Aztec Empire, and Ten Vulture is learning to become a priest—and a deadly warrior. On his adventures, he has to learn a secret language and rituals and make human sacrifices to the gods. Visit the largest city in the Americas and take part in the ultimate bloodletting ceremony alongside Ten Vulture. You''ll need a courageous heart and a strong stomach!

What''s in Your Guts? is a fantastic introduction to the science behind the human digestive system for young kids. Hilarious, colorful illustrations and an engaging question-and-answer format makes this key subject fun and accessible for even the most reluctant readers. It''s also packed with plenty of giggle-worthy gross bits that kids love to read about! Stuff kids want to know, that need an answer... how does your body turn food into poop? why do farts smell bad? why do we need to pee, it''s sometimes very inconvenient! what''s so good about our liver? Find the answers to these questions and much more! With so many fun facts to uncover, science has never been more fun!

How does a giant cruise ship stay upright? Just how big is an aircraft carrier? How are submarines powered? Join the Stickmen for a close look at how watercrafts work, though be careful—you may get into deep water!

From the extraordinary distance our food can travel to reach our tables to the remarkable benefits of eating avocados, John Farndon shows the amazing, often shocking, truth behind the food we eat. Covering everything from the big businesses that control food production around the world to the dangers of food dyes, this book reveals the complex facts behind the simplest of meals.

Food is the body''s fuel—but what happens to each yummy mouthful from the moment you take a bite? The Stickmen unravel the long process of digestion carried out by your winding system of guts. Learn about your stomach and its army of acids, the chemical powerhouse in your liver, and your busy kidneys that keep you toxin-free. Find out how you get energy and heat from food and how your body gets rid of the stuff it doesn''t need. Illustrations, diagrams, and text tell all about the mashing, squeezing, pushing, and filtering that happen along your digestive system.

How Science Works is a series that explains clearly how a number of devices and machines work. Key principles are explained before showing how they are put to use in a practical way by designers.