Britannica Educational Publishing imprint: 818 books

Fungi, protists, and algae are among the most diverse life forms on the planet. Tiny protists range from plants to animals. Algae range from single celled plants to 60-foot-long kelp. Fungi occupy a kingdom of their own. Although their place in nature—neither truly plants or animals—may make them...

War, while often gruesome and devastating, can also be viewed as a science or art, involving the translation of theory into practice. Even as weapons grow in sophistication over time, war has always involved careful calculations and balancing the interests of the involved party with effective combat...

Leonardo da Vinci’s study of mechanics led to the creation of early prototypes of flying machines and submarines. Biologist Carolus Linnaeus pioneered the hierarchal system of taxonomic classification in use today, Barbara McClintock’s genetics research garnered her the Nobel Prize in Medicine....

One of the greatest economic crises in history, the Great Depression of the 1930s caused much hardship both in the United States and throughout the world. The economic impact of this difficult period was reflected not only in the job market of the era but in its art, society, and politics as well....

From lemurs to apes to human beings, primates are unique among mammals—for example, our brains are large compared to our size. Our complex interactions, intricate social structures, and extensive range of emotions allow us to adapt and thrive in diverse habitats around the globe. In this volume,...

Technological advances—including pressurized cabins for hot air balloons, rocketry that powers spacecraft, and deep-sea diving gear—have changed the face of exploration. What hasn’t changed since ancient times, however, is the bravery and inquisitiveness of intrepid individuals at the forefront...

Philosophers of the Middle Ages endeavored to reconcile two seemingly incompatible concepts: religion and reason. By drawing extensively from the work of their predecessors, like Plato and Aristotle, medieval philosophers were able to find logical bases for their theological beliefs, thus using rationality...

The devastation wrought by earthquakes and volcanoes often obscures the fact that these destructive forces are also some of the most creative on the planet birthing mountains and other land forms. With detailed diagrams outlining the structure of continental and oceanic crust and the distribution...

The use of horses has perhaps most dramatically shaped the way of life for Native American tribes in the Plateau and Plains regions of North America, but the practices and traditions of both culture areas date back to a time long before Europeans ever touched American shores, introducing their animals...

As skilled at architecture and inventing as he was at politics, Thomas Jefferson was a man of many talents who was invaluable to the founding of the United States. After loaning his expertise to writing the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson went on to serve as the third U.S. president, nearly...

This engaging narrative introduces readers to the world of words and their meanings. Students learn that they can determine the subject of speech a word is and often the synonyms and antonyms for the words. The volume describes the different types of dictionaries, how they are compiled and organized,...

From its ancient kingdoms to the independent post-colonial states that make up the region today, western Africa has transformed dramatically over the centuries. Economically lucrative for European slave traders and later for their colonial successors, the territories along Africa’s Atlantic coast...

Though only about the size of a clenched fist, the human heart bears the immense burden of sustaining human life and activity. Functioning to circulate blood throughout the body, the heart is an organ on which all others intimately depend. This volume relates the anatomy of the heart and the effects...

Iran’s cultural and historical significance is unquestionable. The land of celebrated poets such as Rumi and Hafez, as well as the magnificent ruins of Persepolis, it is a place where ancient traditions are revered. With over half of its population under the age of 30, however, Iran also embraces...