America's preeminent columnist presents his penetrating and surprising reflections on everything from embryo research to entitlement reform, from Halley's Comet to border collies, from Christopher Columbus to Martin Luther King, from drone warfare to American decline. Features a special, highly autobiographical introduction. Selected essays previously published in various periodicals and journals.

"In 1177 B.C., marauding groups known only as the "Sea Peoples" invaded Egypt. The pharaoh's army and navy managed to defeat them, but the victory so weakened Egypt that it soon slid into decline, as did most of the surrounding civilizations. After centuries of brilliance, the civilized world of the Bronze Age came to an abrupt and cataclysmic end. Kingdoms fell like dominoes over the course of just a few decades.. systhe Sea Peoples alone could...

A photo essay on ancient Egypt and the people who lived there, documented through the mummies, pottery, weapons, and other objects they left behind. Describes their society, religion, obsession with the afterlife, and methods of mummification.

Francis Schaeffer's Classic Analysis of the Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture Civilizations throughout history have built societies around their own limited value systems including rulers, finite gods, or relativism-only to fail. The absence of a Christian foundation eventually leads to breakdown, and those signs are visible in present-day culture as well. Can modern society avoid the same fate? In this latest edition of How Should We...

"Judith Herrin, Winner of the 2016 Dr A.H. Heineken Prize, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences" Judith Herrin is professor emeritus in the Department of Classics at King's College London. Her books include Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe; Unrivalled Influence: Women and Empire in Byzantium; Margins and Metropolis: Authority across the Byzantine Empire; Women in Purple: Rulers of Medieval Byzantium; and The Formation of Christendom...

"Explore Brazil, a country with some of the world's most significant natural wonders, as well as some of its most populous urban areas. Unusual animals like toucans and jaguars call Brazil's lush rainforests their home. The country is also known for its vibrant, bustling cities, like Rio de Janeiro."--Provided by publisher.

"A land of Amazonian jungles, Caribbean beaches, and hectic cities, Venezuela is a country of many contrasts. ... Readers will explore the country's love of sports like baseball, learn about its wild animals, and discover more about its complicated political history."--Provided by publisher.

Young readers will learn about the many facets of Roman culture with this great introduction covering religion, philosophy, sculpture, architecture, painting, literature, sports, and the theater. The Romans' habit of adopting ideas, customs, and techniques from cultures that they conquered is discussed. Photographs of Roman buildings, reliefs, statues, mosaics, and frescoes offer yet more insight into this influential culture.

Until a time machine can zap us back into ancient Egypt, this entertaining volume may be the best way for readers to experience it. Appealing projects reinforce intriguing information about ancient Egypt, such as jaw-dropping facts about mummification. Among the motivating activities are writing with hieroglyphics, playing an ancient game, and making a royal headdress.

Twenty years ago, Bill Bryson went on a trip around Britain to discover and celebrate that green and pleasant land. The result was Notes from a Small Island, one of the bestselling travel books ever written. Now he has traveled about Britain again, by bus and train and rental car and on foot, to see what has changed -- and what hasn't. Following a route he dubs the Bryson Line, from Bognor Regis in the south to Cape Wrath in the north, by way of places...