Richard Platt

Describes the history of shipwrecks, famous wrecks, causes, navigation and rescue techniques, and underwater archeology and the exploration of wrecks.

"This book presents information about men and women spies throughout history as well as about the tools and equipment they used in espionage and intelligence service. You can also be an eyewitness to some of the world's most shadowy characters, and get the inside scoop on the ingenious gadgets that real-life spies have used to gather and send information without getting caught."--Publisher's description.

Introduces stinging plants, poisonous plants, and plants that eat animals.

Describes medieval castles and what life was like for the knights who lived in them.

A photographic essay explores the history and technology of filmmaking, including how a set is built, how stunts are performed, how special effects are achieved, and how films are edited.

The fictional diary of a ten-year-old boy who, in 1716 sets off from North Carolina to become a sailor, but ends up a pirate instead.

This sumptuous, innovative recreation of Roman Life traces the rise and fall of a great empire. Illustrations retell the lost story of Pompeii-the life of its people, its conflicts and disasters, and the changing fortunes of a house at the center of it all. Beginning in the sixth century BCE, a simple hut becomes a farmhouse, and gradually the farmhouse is swallowed up by the expanding new city of Pompeii. The house grows as the city and its inhabitants...

Explores what makes a person a person, including their genes, body, brain, memory, emotions, gender, and ancestors.

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