Most Popular Books by Kevin Cunningham

A dangerous combination of weather, flame, and human activity, wildfires are a menace that threatens lives, destroys property, and torches immense areas. Whole towns may vanish in the flames. Dozens of lives can be lost in minutes. The most destructive wildfires, like historic hurricanes and earthquakes, scar both the land and human memory for generations. Despite advances in firefighting and science, wildfires have intensified in recent years. The reasons are many. Fire-prevention policies have had the ironic result of creating hotter, bigger events. Human settlements continue to encroach on fire-prone wilderness. Shifts in weather related to climate change lead to drought and temperature extremes that turn forests and grasslands into tinderboxes. Extreme Threats: Wildfires looks at the wildfire phenomenon in both history and today's world-the science and the mythology, the causes and possible solutions, and the ways human beings seek to survive, understand, and even profit from these extraordinary disasters. Book jacket.

The most faithful adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women for the theater -- and for the casual reader... Adapting a beloved 400+ page novel for the stage presents a challenge: can any theatrical version really stay true to the heart and spirit of Alcott's timeless "story about girls"? Many dramatized versions (both stage and screen) eliminate critical events, or even stop at the first half of the book, leaving you wondering: "Huh? What happens to Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy next? Where are my favorite scenes?" Kevin Cunningham's full-length play version of Little Women is different: all the dialogue (and even the stage directions) are taken directly from the novel you love, preserving intact the full journeys of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. From their forlorn "Merry Christmas" through their heartaches, disagreements, tragedies, and joys; meeting new friends and finding their "heart's true loves"; taking their "pilgrim's journeys" from selfishness to compassion -- Little Women: The Play includes all the essential elements of Alcott's story. Louisa May Alcott -- An Important Character in Her Own Right Capturing the novel faithfully in a dramatic format is one thing. But, as Greta Gerwig has also realized, Alcott's story is even more remarkable when seen in its context: as a groundbreaking novel for girls produced by a woman writer in an era when boy's books were the only game in town, and female writers were third-class citizens. It's easy to forget that Little Women became the literary sensation of its time. It was the Harry Potter series of its era, with Louisa May as her day's J. K. Rowling. The success of the novel forever freed her from writing lurid novels (like A Long Fatal Love Chase) -- but it almost cost her her health. Little Women: The Play incorporates this remarkable history in three additional scenes that frame the story of the novel. Louisa May Alcott appears onstage, along with her publisher Thomas Niles Jr., to commission and discuss the progress of the book. The novel we love unfolds onstage as the creation of the author herself. Details for Theatrical Productions The cast includes distinct roles for 7 men and 8 women, but a number of the parts can be double- or triple-cast (or given to Louisa May Alcott, acting out the part as part of her writing process). The play is designed for presentation in a black box theater, so it is carefully constructed to require only a single set, with a few distinct playing areas. The paperback version of the book (but not the Kindle eBook) includes three appendices useful for groups hoping to produce the play: an acting plot, showing which roles appear in which scenes; a list of set pieces (furniture, etc.) used in a typical production; a detailed list of props and sound cues, listed by what scenes they appear in. Groups looking to stage Alcott's story as she wrote it need look no further. Little Women: The Play is pure Alcott, distilled. Scroll back up and order your copy today. -- And break a leg! Fun for the Casual Reader Too Like audience members of the staged production, casual readers too will find that Little Women: The Play is a great way to experience the essence of the novel without having to make your way through the original's 400+ pages. There is of course no substitute for reading the full novel, but here is the next best thing -- a reading experience that faithfully conveys the quintessence of Louisa May Alcott's story. Scroll back up and order your copy today. -- And happy reading!

Soil is more than dirt-it's the stuff of life. It supports, directly or indirectly, every creature that lives on land, Homo sapiens included. As such, the fertile, nutrient-rich topsoils capable of growing our crops are an central natural resource. But soil, the backbone of agriculture and civilization for 10, 000 years, is danger of slipping through our fingers. Every year we lose millions of acres of it to erosion, nutrient depletion, and ruination from salt and sprawling human development. The past offers many examples of the price human beings have paid when the life-giving soil crumbles beneath them. Soil depletion confuted to the collapse of ancient empires in Sumeria and Mesoamerica. Today, it is rampant over vast areas of the Earth's surface and has sparked hunger, poverty, and wars for resources. Influenced by ancient agricultural practices as well as modern problems like climate change, the loss fertile soil necessary to feed humanity threatens to become one defining, problems of the twenty-first century. Book jacket.

A True Book-The Thirteen Colonies Are you thrilled by true adventure stories? do you wonder how our founding fathers conquered the wilds of North America to create the United States? You'll experience it all in these books that tell the story of the brave men and women who escaped tyranny from across the ocean to forge a new world in 13 colonies that led to the birth of the United States of America.

Looks at how people in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers are helping to build our future. Discover how people use STEM skills to solve problems and innovate throughout history.

Learn about the ruthless leader and the nation he helped build.

The most highly recognized series on African Americans celebrates Black History Month all year long! Journey to Freedom: The African American Library provides fascinating information on the heroic stories of African Americans who have played leading roles in shaping world history. Packed with vintage photographs that bring both the subjects' frustrations and victories to life, this highly acclaimed collection honestly portrays African American people and events that have forever impacted our society.

Explores the history of the toy industry, and what it takes to design and create toys.

Outlines the noted abolitionist's life and legacy.

America is blessed with a diversity derived from many different cultural groups. Each of the immigrants who has landed so bravely on our shores has had an exciting story to tell about the ethnic experience. While reading about each ethnic group's history, young students will develop deep respect for the contributions immigrants have made to the nation. American food, language, music, holidays, clothing, art--Our Cultural Heritage shares the recipe for the melting pot.