New Releases by Rebecca Stefoff

Discusses monarchies as a political system, and details the history of monarchies throughout the world.

From emperor penguins nesting in the frozen reaches of Antartica to peregrine falcons that have made themselves at home among urban skyscrapers, birds are amazingly adaptable. The Bird Class surveys the many orders and families of living birds and traces the origins of these winged, feathered marvels. Bird biology, life cycles, behavior, and habitats are also explored. The Bird Class sounds a warning about the threats that many of the world''s ten thousand bird species now face, and describes some of the actions being taken to protect them. Book jacket.

Barking frogs, giant cane toads, six-foot-long Chinese salamanders, and tiny dwarf sirens-all these and many more are amphibians who live in the two worlds of water and land. The Amphibian Class describes the origins and ways of life of the three main kinds of amphibians, with a look at many weird and wonderful species. It covers the amphibian life cycle from tadpole to tree frog, introduces the strange and seldom-seen creatures called caecilians, and even answers the age-old question: What''s the difference between a frog and a toad? The Amphibian Class also explains why many scientists fear that these ancient animals are in serious trouble today and looks at some of the things being done to help them survive into the future. Book jacket.

Examines the 1972 Supreme Court case Furman v. Georgia in regard to the death penalty.

Celebrate the richness and diversity of the United States of America in this exciting series. Readers can explore the unique character of each state—its land and waterways; its history; its government and economy; its festivals, cultural diversity, landmarks, and exciting stories of success. Celebrate the States, second edition, brings the series into the twenty-first century and updates the original titles to reflect the changes that have gripped the state in the past five to ten years. the second edition features a new design and all new photographs. Also included is a new chart showing the breakdown of the state''s workforce and two new maps. One shows the state divided by county, and the other presents the population distribution. the structure has been slightly changed as well. While the profiles of state luminaries remain in the back matter, the government and economy are given expanded coverage, each in its own chapter.

A critical exploration of magic, its history, and practitioners.

This volume describes the diverse peoples who came to the United States from 1820, when records began to be kept, to 1924, when the gates were nearly closed to immigrants. The reactions of Americans to the new arrivals, laws that were passed, and the experiences of those who lived through it are richly presented here.

"A critical exploration of witches and witchcraft"--Provided by publisher.

Focuses on the pros and cons of marriage in the United States--including covenant marriages, same-sex unions, and the effect of divorce on kids--through personal stories, opinions, and scholarly studies. Provides a historical look at marriage and includes

"An exploration of the origins, history, development, and societal impact of the microscope and the telescope"--Provided by publisher.

"An examination of the origin, history, development, and impact of the submarine and related underwater exploration and transport technology"--Provided by publisher.

Presents the history of the Wild West through a variety of primary source images and documents, such as diary entries, newspaper accounts, public speeches, popular literature, and personal letters.

Describes the country of Zimbabwe.

Text plus historical and contemporary maps provide an overview of the history and culture of Europe during the Middle Ages.

Discusses the development of the telephone, from its early days until today.

An overview of the characteristics, habitat, way of life, and conservation status of various primates.

Describes the characteristics, life cycles, and roles of various flowering plants.

The impact and ramifications of cases argued before the Supreme Court are felt for decades, if not centuries. Only the most important issues of the day and the land make it to the nine justices, and the effects of their decisions reach far beyond the litigants. Under discussion here are five of the most momentous Supreme Court cases ever. They include Marbury v. Madison, Roe v. Wade, Dred Scott, Brown v. Board of Education, and The Pentagon Papers. An absorbing exploration of enormously controversial events, the series details, highlights, and clarifies the complex legal arguments of both sides. Placing the cases within their historical context (though they ultimately emerge as works in progress), the authors reveal each decision''s relevance both to the past and the present. the result is a fascinating glimpse across the centuries into the workings of the Supreme Court and the American judicial system.

Presents the history of the New Republic of America in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries through excerpts from documents, letters, journals, and newspaper articles.

Examines the physical characteristics, life cycle, and natural habitat of different species of penguins.

Text plus historical and contemporary maps provide a look at the history of cultures that flourished along the Mediterranean Sea.

Describes the evolution, body structure, and behavior of cats, and discusses their interaction with people.

Discusses the evolution, biology, life cycle, and social and mating and behavior of chimpanzees.

A very basic introduction to Sir Arthur Evans'' famous excavations at Knossos and the reconstruction work he oversaw.

Details the American expansion into Texas and the far west from the late eighteenth- to the mid-nineteenth century, including information on the Oregon Trail, the war with Mexico, and the California gold rush.

Discusses the various conflicts between the colonists and Native Americans and, later, between the United States and Native Americans.

Describes the evolution, body structure, and behavior of dogs, and discusses their interaction with people.

Describes the discovery of Pluto, the ninth planet, what has been learned about it, and the current controversy over whether it is a planet at all.

Describes how Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun, was first discovered, how it was studied in the twentieth century, and what we know about it today.