New Releases by Richard Platt

DK Eyewitness Books: Pirate offers everything you ever wanted to know about pirates, from why European kings and queens encouraged piracy to what pirates ate at sea. Sink into this exciting introduction to the world of sea-thieves - their origins, adventures, blood-thirsty battles, and much, much more!

A guide to all three of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, lavishly illustrated with pictures from the movies.

The extraordinary emergence of smuggling during the 18th and 19th century forms much of the history of the coastline of the British Isles, and the traditional image of the fisherman-cum-smuggler has intrigued historians and fiction-writers alike for decades. But how accurate is this traditional picture of the smuggler? In this fascinating history, maritime historian Richard Platt explores the captivating story of smuggling in 18th and 19th-century Britain, when high taxes led to a dramatic increase in illegal imports. As the "free trade" grew, smugglers openly landed contraband in full view of the customs authorities: columns of heavily-armed thugs protected the cargoes. Documenting every aspect of the smuggling industry, from the practical problems of stowing contraband and getting it to its final destination to the legendary hiding places and caves used to conceal goods until their sale, this compelling book will intrigue all those with an interest in the sea and its history, and shows how a small-scale trade that enjoyed widespread popular support grew into a vast and violent industry.

A historical account of Julius Caesar, covering his personal life, political career, assassination, and the Rome of his time.

Crime Scene This heavily illustrated but simplistic book takes readers step by step through the stages of criminal investigation, focusing on the ever-developing field of forensic science. In many investigations, Platt writes, forensic science can offer proof with a level of objectivity and plausibility often lacking in other forms of evidence. Platt (Secret Worlds: Villains) begins by noting that everyone is a suspect, and that investigators need to keep a healthy skepticism: even confessions don''t always mean guilt. Photos show crime scenes (cops making arrests, taking statements, photographing evidence left behind), crime labs (serologists analyzing bodily fluids, forensic anthropologists reconstructing skeletons) and tools of the trade (a crime officer''s kit for the good guys, poisoner''s favorites, like arsenic and deadly nightshade, for the bad guys). Platt also includes photos of disasters caused by explosives (in Oklahoma City) and plane bombings (Flight 103 over Lockerbie) as well as car wrecks and arson. Economical, even cursory, prose and the blocky layout of the pages give the volume a certain high-school-textbook feel, despite the occasional gory bits.Aimed at the neophyte, this volume offers a good overview of the world of forensics. Color photographs throughout. Using case studies and amazing digital imagery to show how science helps uncover the truth about how crimes were committed and who carried them out, this fact-filled guide explains the investigative powers of forensic science.

Explains the evolution of aircraft over the last century.

"Describes medical practices and treatments throughout history, many of which were dangerous, painful, and ineffective"--Provided by publisher.

Activity-packed journal follows Duncan Cameron under the sea as he searches for mysterious lost gold.

THEY ATE WHAT?! cooks up some amazing tales of monstrous table manners, disgusting delicacies, and fantastic feasts.

DK Eyewitness Books: Shipwreck is a spectacular and informative guide to some of the world''s most significant shipwrecks. Richly detailed, full-color photographs of submerged wrecks and their lost cargoes and treasures offer a unique "eyewitness" view of ships and the lives of those who sailed them. See the beautifully preserved figurehead of the Hamilton wreck, the five-hundred-year-old elephant''s tusk recovered from the bottom of the ocean, and scissors that still cut paper and cloth after two hundred years beneath the sea. Learn how the wreck of the Mary Rose was raised from the seabed, why Grace Darling became a hero, how a deck seat converts into a lifeboat, how shipwrecks are located, and different preservation techniques used by underwater archaeologists. Discover what caused the "unsinkable" Titanic to sink, the use of the giant light bulb, harmonicas that still play after one hundred years underwater, the hazards faced by ships at sea, and much, much more! Discover the world of shipwrecks and an amazing wealth of undersea treasures and secrets with Eyewitness: Shipwreck.

Why is the Brazilian rainforest vanishing so quickly? And why is it essential to the whole world? This story describes how a native tribe is battling potential developers. Can a solution be found that will protect the forest and allow the tribe to continue living as they always have done, while benefiting from limited development?Ages 7 and up

Before the coming of the white man, the rifle-toting, bareback-riding ''red indians'' of countless Hollywood westerns were just one of many native peoples in North America. In this expertly-written account, vetted by a Smithsonian Institution expert, Richard Platt takes kids on an enthralling journey through the diverse native cultures of North America. The story line features young brave Fearless Wolf, an outsider who grows to manhood as he leads resistance to the advance of white settlers. Trade edition includes a free Indian headdress. Red Kite Books'' Discovering series offers a refreshing take on history: 32-page non-fiction books with a rhyming fictional story line along the bottom of each spread. Children learn from the informative main text, and then engage with the subject through the story line, the spectacular illustrations and - in trade editions - the free flag or other component. Its features: award-winning author; spectacular colour illustrations; free Indian headdress (trade ed only); rhyming story line on each page; text and illustrations checked by Smithsonian Institution expert.

Ages 9+

How did the Allies plan and execute the most massive and daring invasion in military history? Read all about it in the DK Reader that explains in thrilling detail how the Nazis were defeated on the beaches of France. DK Readers is a multi-level learning-to-read program combining DK''s highly visual style with appealing stories at five graduated levels. Stunning photographs and engaging, age-appropriate stories are guaranteed to capture a child''s interest while developing reading skills and general knowledge. DK Readers allow progression of stories for beginning readers with simple sentences and word repetition through to stories with rich vocabulary and more challenging sentence structure for proficient readers.

An introduction to pirates discusses life aboard a pirate ship, examines the tools of the trade, and portrays famous pirates.

This fascinating kit tells the astonishing story of the ancient graphic-language symbols of the Middle East, the Far East, and Central America. The colorful 32 page book is accompanied by a fascinating activity pack featuring 27 rubber hieroglyphic stamps, an ink pad, a supply of papyrus templates, educational Rosetta Stone poster, cardboard model of the temple of Rameses III to assemble; reed stylus, modeling clay, and cylinder seal to practice cuneiform writing; world map of cultures, stickers, and Mehen board game.

Twentieth Century History Makers is an important new series of biography aimed at introducing older children to the most important historical figures of the 20th century. Young readers can find out about the events of the subject''s lives and how they impacted, for both good and evil, on the world. Ages 9+.

In Hollywood biopics, inspiration strikes great inventors like a bolt of lightning. An accident, a random thought, an apparently unconnected remark - any of these things can provide the trigger that the screen hero of heroine needs to perfect an invention. The movies make it seem all too easy, of course, but a surprising number of inventions really have sprung from just such a eureka moment. inventions were conceived. It demonstrates how sheer creative genius enables a few lucky individuals to look right through the problem, and come up with a solution that has eluded rivals. Also considered are other aspects of innovative technology, such as the simultaneous and independent invention of a new device by researchers on opposite sides of the world. (in Thomas Edison''s words) genius is 1 per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration. The book dedicates a section to these non-eureka moments.

Various kinds of spiders, including the black widow, tarantula, and water spider, describe their physical characteristics, behavior, and habitats.

A great non-fiction alternative to middle grade readers -- perfect for school projects or reading for fun. Full-color, fun, and crammed with cool facts, DK''s Secret Worlds take a fresh look at familiar subjects with brilliant results! Kids ages 9 and up can delve into a wide range of subjects from nature, history, and science for researching school projects, satisfying a curious appetite, or just for the love of reading. Tried-and-tested Web sites and a Mega-reference section are just two of the innovative features that will keep kids and parents coming back for more.

Tells the fascinating story of exploration by many different explorers facing different hardships.

A look at some extreme sports, such as steep skiing and freestyle motocross.

Traces humanity''s fascination with mountains and mountaineering, focusing specificially on historic expeditions to Mount Everest.

Recounts the true-life adventures of 30 unique human beings such as Marco Polo and Amelia Earhart.

DK brings history to life for young readers with dramatic eyewitness accounts in this unique nonfiction series. Each volume is packed with detailed and accurate information, featuring cross-sections, exploded views, pull-outs, and cutaways designed to illuminate each subject. Extraordinary and evocative storytelling combined with DK''s unique visual presentation create an outstanding library of children''s reference books.

Describes various disasters that have taken place throughout history.

Cut-away illustrations and explanatory captions explain how such diverse objects as chocolate bars and cathedrals, false teeth and tanks are made.

Text and cutaway illustrations depict life aboard a British warship of the Napoleonic era, covering such topics as work, leisure, discipline, navigating, and fighting.