Elizabeth Schmermund – författare

Ending a two-hundred-year tsarist regime and bringing communism to the masses, Vladimir Lenin changed not only Russia, but also the world’s political climate. Using source documents and photos, this text discusses the major events of the Russian Revolution and its consequences in a way that makes the concepts clear, concise, and interesting to students.

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and thousands of Americans were killed during the Persian Gulf War, which lasted from 1990 to 1991, and the Iraq War, which lasted from 2003 to 2011. Full of riveting primary sources and personal accounts and full-color photographs from the front lines, this book will provide readers with an in-depth look at the complicated relationship between Iraq and the United States, the reasons behind these two wars, the decision-makers, the important battles, and the global impact these conflicts have had which continues to affect us even today.

For most of her life, Harper Lee was (reluctantly) famous for her classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee''s newest book, Go Set a Watchman, caused quite a media frenzy even before its publication. This text examines how Lee’s Southern background (she was a descendant of General Robert E. Lee) and racial tensions in the Deep South during that time came together to influence the plot, characters, and themes of To Kill a Mockingbird. This volume also explores the history of Go Set a Watchman and the controversy surrounding it, comparing its themes and structure with Lee''s beloved classic. Copious excerpts from the two works along with critical analysis help students interpret and understand the writings of this Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

Terrorism is a form of violence with the main intent of frightening people from pursuing their everyday lives. Despite calls to ignore a fear of terrorism lest "the terrorists win," many Westerners are justifiably scared about what seems like the increased presence of terrorism in their world. This text examines viewpoints about the roots of terrorism and its role in different areas around the globe. Experts, journalists, and politicians all weigh in on this important topic in order to help students reach their own conclusions about the role of terrorism in our world today.

Statistics tell us that women are underrepresented in STEM careers, yet many of technology’s greatest innovations have come from women. Ada Lovelace is considered one of the first computer programmers. It was six women who programmed the important ENIAC computer during World War II. While women’s contributions to technology are often overlooked, this resource celebrates the lives and accomplishments of women inventors and innovators throughout history. Also included are chapter notes, a glossary, a further reading section containing books and websites, and an index.

Although war has long been considered the domain of men, women have courageously fought for their families, their nations, and their causes—whether on the battlefield or off. The women profiled in this inspiring resource have proven that courage doesn’t have a gender and that fighting for a just cause is very much a woman’s issue. Also included are chapter notes, a glossary, a further reading section containing books and websites, and an index.

Portugal is a country full of rich architecture, natural beauty, and history. Today, Portugal is also known for its culture, food, and its attraction as a tourist destination. This book highlights the beauty of the country and discusses its progress as a nation, from ancient times to present day, enabling readers to learn firsthand what makes Portugal what it is today. All books of the critically-acclaimed Cultures of the World® series ensure an immersive experience by offering vibrant photographs with descriptive nonfiction narratives, and interactive activities such as creating an authentic traditional dish from an easy-to-follow recipe. Copious maps and detailed timelines present the past and present of the country, while exploration of the art and architecture help your readers to understand why diversity is the spice of Life.

New Frontiers in Astronomy describes critical discoveries that shape the way we look at our universe, such as the Big Bang Theory and the acceleration of the universe. These discoveries paved the way for more recent leaps in the field of astronomy, namely the existence of dark matter. These discoveries also demonstrate the way teams of scientists work simultaneously to prove theories and draw important conclusions.

Space exploration depends on a comprehensive understanding of the forces at work in the universe, and so for centuries, it seemed impossible that humans could leave Earth to travel in space. Telescopes, Probes, Spacecraft, and the Future of Space Exploration meets Next Generation Science Standards and describes how foundational understanding of astronomy developed and how visionaries invented the technology to make space travel a reality. The book also considers achievements on the horizon that could change our understanding of astronomy and our way of life.

William Shakespeare wrote Twelfth Night for Epiphany, the twelfth day after Christmas. The comedy features ingenious plot twists, colorful characters, and slapstick humor. Reading Shakespeare Today: Twelfth Night examines each scene of the play, Shakespeare’s use of language, modern stagings, and the history behind Twelfth Night to present a comprehensive picture of this classic.

Lebanon has a rich, varied, and at times difficult past. This book examines the key aspects of Lebanon life today, history, geography, economy, environment, language, and lifestyle, and discusses the country’s existence in the global community. Full of detailed sidebars, current events, and vivid photographs, this book is sure to entertain and inform any young reader.

Massachusetts is a state that has left a lasting mark on the entire nation. The site of one of the earliest European settlements in the New World, it also saw the outbreak of the American Revolution, and today the state is a pioneer in innovation and education. Filled with fun facts, vivid photographs, and interesting sidebars, this book explores the history and geography of this important state and introduces readers to some of its famous residents and most important contributions.

The Vietnam War was the first war that was fought from the outset by completely desegregated American troops. However, racism was abundant during the war, and the percentage of minority casualties were substantially higher than that of white troops because minority soldiers were often positioned on the front lines. This book provides a close look at the role of African American and Hispanic soldiers in the war while also explaining the quest for racial equality in the Vietnam era.

All pieces of hardware and software involve multiple systems and features working together to complete tasks. Therefore, innovations in computer science require simplifying or breaking down large goals into small, manageable parts. This book shows readers how achieving programmatic goals is not so different from achieving personal goals, elaborating on the mechanics of computer programming in an easy-to-follow way.

One of the most fascinating aspects of computer programming is how different programs or parts of programs work together. This volume explores how smaller tasks are grouped together to meet goals, both in and out of programming. Young readers can follow along with accessible examples, fostering development of computational thinking.

Control structures determine how a computer program responds to a key press, mouse click, loop of instructions, or Boolean logic. Away from a computer, these structures can be seen in how people follow instructions and how they decide whether or not to carry out tasks. This book provides young readers with examples of control structures in everyday life while explaining the basics of control in computer programming.

Shortly after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, the U.S. government began both a ground and aerial military campaign in the Middle East in order to preemptively rout out terrorists. During the War on Terror, the cause of the United States and its allies was aided by many technical innovations in code breaking and espionage. In fact, increased surveillance went so far as to spy on regular citizens. This book explores the evolution of intelligence technologies and how these new methods controversially shape wars, and the dilemma many militaries and governments face in deciding how to use them in order to avoid political fallout in the global age of terrorism.

Online and in the news, the word "disinformation" appears often, but what does it mean, and how can it be combated? This book explores the most common usage of the term disinformation, the intentional spread of false information for political means, and provides guidance for how to spot it online, with special attention paid to its propagation through social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. With colorful photographs and sidebars about the role of social media, sock puppet accounts, and bots, readers learn about media literacy and how to read sources with a critical eye.

In 2014, many people saw images of members of the Yazidi ethno-religious group on television. They sought refuge from Islamic State in Syria (ISIS) militants in the mountains of northern Iraq. Since then, the genocide against the Yazidi minority group has continued. This book will teach students about Iraq and the Yazidis, as well as the violence the Yazidis have faced at the hands of ISIS. As the war against ISIS and the global refugee crisis continue, understanding the plight of the Yazidis in order to work against hatred and discrimination is more important than ever.

Sexual assault on the campuses of universities and private schools appears to be on the rise. Alcohol and fraternities are easy targets, but the issue is much more complicated. Despite attempts made by administrators to define consent clearly, it can be a legal gray area. Students condemned by a school’s excessively broad definition of sexual assault can be branded rapists long after graduation. Victims must face their attackers on campus because administrators prefer to keep incidents out of the hands of law enforcement. Through balanced viewpoints, this powerful anthology addresses the complexities of an issue that has important social repercussions.

What constitutes domestic terrorism? The answer is actually more complicated than most of us would think. Readers of this informative anthology will progress through a range of articles offering diverse viewpoints about the Patriot Act, the differences in perception of white Christian violent extremists and those of other races and religions, why some environmental and animal activists are considered terrorists, the growing problem of "paper terrorism," and what can lead homegrown terrorists to lash out against a country that has given them so much opportunity.

Civil disobedience, the refusal to obey certain laws, is a method of protest famously articulated by philosopher and writer Henry David Thoreau in his 1849 essay “Civil Disobedience.” Thoreau believed that protest became a moral obligation when laws collided with conscience. Since then, civil disobedience has been employed as a form of rebellion around the world. But is there a place for civil disobedience in democratic societies? When is civil disobedience justifiable? Is violence ever called for? Furthermore, how effective is civil disobedience?