Mason: 1146 books

The name of the Ivory Coast (also known as Cote d'Ivoire) comes from its history; at one time, Europeans came to the region to hunt elephants for their valuable ivory. Today, the people of Ivory Coast are careful to preserve their country's ecology, which is rich in rare plants and wildlife. During...

Africa, the world's second-largest continent, is home to more than 50 countries. Africa has valuable resources, from large reserves of oil to minerals such as diamonds and gold; as well as an incredible variety of wild animals, plants, and trees. From the bustling cities of Egypt to the warm grasslands...

Italy is a tourist destination for thousands of people every year. It was also a founding member of the EU in 1952. Italy has a long history, from the Romans to the Renaissance. Today it faces modern-day issues such as immigration, women's rights, and the economic recession. Discover more about this exciting, modern nation!

The Netherlands is one of the most progressive countries in the EU. It was a founding member in 1952 and has supported a more unified Europe for a long time. The Netherlands has figured out innovative ways to battle climate change and deal with the global recession. Discover more about this exciting, modern nation!

Uganda is sometimes called the "land of lakes," because almost one-third of its territory is covered by water. The greatest Ugandan body of water is Lake Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. The world's longest river, the Nile, also has its source in Uganda. Uganda has faced...

The United States' boundaries have expanded over the centuries—and at the same time, Americans' ideas about their country have grown as well. The nation the world knows today was shaped by centuries of thinkers and events. People like Thomas Paine, George Washington, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson...

In the United States, people of all different backgrounds live together. Today, more than one in eight people in the United States are Hispanic, and Latino communities are an important part America. Hispanic Americans are people from different lands, cultures, and backgrounds—but they share some...

The famous Lindbergh kidnapping in the 1930s was solved, in part, through a detailed analysis of the kidnapper's handwriting. Other criminal cases, such as selling phony manuscripts, forgery, and fraud can be broken with detailed analyses of handwriting, typewriting, photocopied documents, and the...

You're a high school athlete who wants to increase the possibility of a successful college sports career and a shot at the pros. But you know you just don't have all that it takes. Then it hits you: you can do what the pros do (at least some of them)—take steroids! It may sound like a good idea,...

If your parents were unable to care for you, where would you go? Do you have family or friends who would take you in and support you? Unfortunately, many children don't have this option. The foster care system was put in place to help young people who find themselves without homes. As you follow the...

Though small and resource poor, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan plays a crucial role in the affairs of the volatile Middle East. A moderate Arab country, Jordan borders not only Israel and the West Bank, but also Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. This strategic location- along with the nuanced and forward-looking...

African-American women played a major role in bringing about social change during the civil rights movement. They participated in sit-ins and marches. They helped plan demonstrations and boycotts. And they were arrested for civil disobedience. Many women worked behind the scene, helping to organize...

In one wing of Sweden's top-security prison, red drapes hang from the ceiling while small candles burn on an altar and men kneel in prayer; prisoners can apply to spend some of their sentence in religious meditation. Meanwhile, the guards at Jyderup State Prison in Denmark don't wear uniforms, and...

On March 24, 2002, Halle Berry made history. She became the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actress in a leading role. Halle's Oscar came for her work in Monster's Ball, in which she portrayed Leticia Musgrove, a tough yet vulnerable waitress who becomes involved in an interracial...