Britannica Educational Publishing imprint: 818 books

Sweeping into the office of U.S. president with his mesmerizing oratory of hope and change, Barack Obama forever transformed American politics. As the first African American to hold the title, his election represented a historic milestone, both socially and politically. The 44th president’s remarkable...

In many ways, modern economics can be seen as the sum total of the works of leading thinkers in the field. Including Adam Smith with his groundbreaking study of capitalism and Paul Krugman’s study of international trade patterns, economists have continued to increase our understanding of the principles...

When rock and roll first burst onto the scene in the 1950s, it was more than a new form of music—it was a rebellion against the past. With the music of such artists as Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and the Supremes came a new attitude that allowed fans—many of them young—to look...

The music of the 1960s is perhaps as memorable as the historical milestones of the era. Timeless bands, such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, emerged from England while the U.S. saw the rise of such folk musicians as Bob Dylan and the explosion of soul, with such legends as Aretha Franklin and...

Drawing is the technique of producing images on a surface, usually paper, by means of marks, usually of ink, graphite, chalk, charcoal, or crayon. Although drawings differ in quality, they have a common purposeto give visible form to an idea and to express the artist's feeling about it. Besides the way...

Starting at the dawn of the 20th century, writers began experimenting with literary styles as never before. As perhaps the most far-reaching movement, Modernism swept across both the United States and Europe and has been embodied in the works of such writers as Marcel Proust, Virginia Woolf, James...

Deviating from the romanticism of earlier works, American literature that emerged after the mid-19th century adopted a distinct realism and an often critical view of American society. With penetrating analyses, writers such as Henry Adams and Upton Sinclair exposed fundamental flaws in government...

This absorbing biography conveys the same passion and energy with which van Gogh painted his masterworks. From his birth in Zundert, the Netherlands and his work in his uncle's art gallery, to his art studies in The Hague and his first important work The Potato Eaters, readers experience the challenges...

Away from the bustling nightlife of 1920s Harlem, a literary and cultural rebirth was taking place among African American writers, artists, and performers. Producing works that reflected the racial realities of the era between the end of the Civil War and the beginnings of the civil rights movement,...

Contemporary literature encompasses so many genres, literary forms, and themes that it would seem almost impossible to identify a unifying thread between them. Yet in the tradition established by literary heavyweights who came before, modern writers of all stripes and backgrounds have continued to...

Major sports stars share many traits, among them self-discipline through regimented training, competition at the highest level, and mastery of their respective sports. Embedded in the public's consciousness, these individuals can't help but make an impact on the lives of fans the world over—whether...

Of the many millions of books written over the course of history, only a relatively small percentage have been deemed classics. Authors of classic literature are those who have penned works definitive of a style, movement, era, or ethos. Their works are timeless in message and scope. This essential...

While a number of genres—including mystery, romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, literary fiction, and thrillers, among others—comprise the broader category of fiction, few authors in those genres can claim popular crossover appeal. Culled from a variety of these genres, the authors profiled...

The fine art of painting is as varied as the life from which it springs. Each artist portrays different aspects of the world. A great artist is able to take some aspect of life and give it depth and meaning. To do this, an artist will make use of the many devices common to painting. These include composition,...