Jason Porterfield – författare

Economic depression is a term frequently heard in the news and an event read about in history class. But what exactly is it? Supporting financial literacy in school and in life, this text breaks down the complicated concept of economic depression into language readers can understand. They will learn how a depression starts, what causes it, how an economy can recover from it, if one is likely in the future, and how an economic depression can affect them directly.

This groundbreaking case, with much pressure from suing parties across the country and a great amount of controversy, granted the “dignity of marriage” to same-sex couples. Readers will find out all about the background of the case, how it made it to the Supreme Court, and why the court decided for same-sex marriage. Also included are questions to consider, primary source documents, and a chronology of the case.

Though Lyndon B. Johnson did not make the initial decision to enter the conflict in Vietnam, he accepted the burdens of the unofficial war when he took office. Through full-color and black-and-white photos, informative sidebars, and engaging text, readers sneak a peek into the Johnson administration and the people who advised him, gaining insight into the combat and political strategies of the war itself and its legacy. Understanding the pressures of this unpopular war and what went into the decision making to ramp up the conflict will give readers a new perspective on the frustrating struggle that took place in this small nation in Southeast Asia.

In this engrossing book, students learn about skaldic poems, the eddaic poems Prose Edda and Heimskringla, and the sagas reflecting the religious beliefs and practices of the Scandinavian people. Readers are introduced to the great Norse gods and the Nine Worlds, and explore how Norse mythology has influenced both literature and music. Clearly written, the narrative explains complex myths in a way that middle school readers can understand and enjoy.

Downers are often unwittingly abused by those trying to alleviate anxiety or sleeplessness. They also act as a gateway drug, leading to the abuse of more harmful narcotics such as heroin, cocaine, and crack. Readers get a full-color introduction to the frightening and unvarnished reality of such a seemingly harmless substance. Disgusting images show the physical effects on the body, and graphic text describes the emotional toll on addicts who thought they would never become addicted.

Bonds, Armstrong, Landis, Giambi, Palmeiro - all are on an ever-growing list of prominent athletes whose names have come up in relation to sports doping. An important issue that will remain in the news for years to come, this book explores this headline issue. It explains what doping is, offers a brief history, and discusses anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Describing the pressures that athletes face, it looks at why some feel forced to cheat. Society and media’s roles are addressed, as well as the possible effects on young people today. Legal and legislative issues are also discussed, including congressional hearings, testing, and anti-doping laws.

NCAA men’s basketball is always a hot sport because of the talented young players and exciting action on the court. However, history and tradition also play huge roles in the sport’s popularity. Inside Men’s College Basketball takes a closer look at the great teams, players, and coaches in the powerhouse Atlantic Coast Conference, as well as the heated rivalries and longstanding traditions that make the ACC one of the best and most popular sports conferences in the country.

NCAA men’s basketball is always a hot sport because of the talented young players and exciting action on the court. However, history and tradition also play huge roles in the sport’s popularity. Basketball in the Big East Conference takes a closer look at the great teams, players, and coaches in the powerhouse Big East conference, as well as the heated rivalries and longstanding traditions that make the Big East conference among the best in college hoops.

Tobacco is one of the most dangerous drugs because it is so addictive and so accessible to minors. This book teaches readers the harmful effects of tobacco through frank language and shocking images, taking on a scare-em-straight strategy for keeping kids away from this disgusting drug.

The Air Force’s Special Tactics teams of combat controllers and pararescuers are trained for two primary battlefield missions: seizing enemy air bases and recovering injured personnel from hostile territory, often when under enemy fire, while also providing mobility, surgical-strike firepower, and air support to the U.S. Special Operations Command. This book gives readers a behind-the-scenes look into this elite Special Ops unit currently hard at work in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere throughout the world.

Students graduating from high school have a wide variety of options to consider for continuing their education. Most students regard college study as the next logical step toward building the foundation for a successful career, but there are a number of other post-high school programs worthy of investigation. If readers decide against attending college, they may want to look into options such as agricultural schools, culinary institutes, art schools, trade schools, and vocational programs. This book provides students with guidance in determining the post-secondary training that is best for them, how to obtain information, sort it, visit campuses, obtain internships and participate in community service, review options, apply to colleges, and more.

This book takes an anthropological look at tattoos and the stories they tell about the groups who share them. Community and history are among the themes this fascinating books explores.

Ritalin is considered by some to be one of the most overprescribed drugs. This book investigates the benefits versus the drawbacks of Ritalin use (both legal and illegal) and the cautions young people and parents should take before using the drug.

Today, there are more than 1.1 billion Muslims in the world. Even in the wake of this enormous growth, many of the practices established by Muhammad remain intact today. This not only applies to how Muslims pray, but also to how they construct their mosques, what events they celebrate, and what music they listen to and play. By adhering to the teachings of the Qur’an, a book that has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of years, Muslims observe a rich cultural tradition that bridges the past, present, and future worlds of the community of the faithful.

The American League Central division was created in 1994. The realignment of the league did a lot to revive rivalries, and create some new ones among teams located in the American heartland. This book introduces readers to the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, and Kansas City Royals.

From 1995 to 2005, the Atlanta Braves were the perennial National League East division champions. Today, however, parity has made this division one of the most interesting and competitive in major league baseball. Take an insider’s tour of the NL East, a division featuring the Braves, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Florida Marlins, and Washington Nationals.

Calvin Hill and his son, Grant, grew up in radically different times and circumstances, but both were taught to work hard and to excel at whatever they did. Calvin became an outstanding professional football player. Grant''s tremendous talent became obvious on the basketball court. Readers learn the exciting stories of Calvin and Grant''s achievements in football and basketball, as well as their lasting legacies.

The election of President Barack Obama was a watershed moment in American politics. This book examines Obama’s historic presidential victory while also looking back at the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, the transformation of race relations in the United States, and the achievements of prominent African American politicians. It explores the events of the Obama’s life and examines the political realities that shaped him as a politician.

Until recently, piracy was a crime that few people expected to encounter in the modern world. Today’s pirates pilot motorboats and carry assault rifles, and utilize modern technology in order to carry out raids. This book examines modern-day piracy in detail, delving into the social and economic motivators that have given rise to contemporary nautical crime. The engaging text covers the regions in which piracy is most prevalent, famous incidents, and the ways in which the international community has attempted to fight today’s pillagers of the sea. Filled with gripping, full-color images of pirates being captured, receiving ransom, and being marched to trial, this book stands alone in giving young readers insight into this fascinating and troubling topic.

With its beautiful scenery and independent spirit, Montana is a state with an interesting history. This book introduces readers to Montana''s history and politics, showing how truly unique a place it is.

The Third Amendment guarantees that soldiers cannot be quartered with U.S. citizens during times of peace. At the time of its passage, this amendment made a significant difference in the lives of American citizens. It formed a separation between America’s military and its civilians. Although seldom cited today in court cases, the Third Amendment’s impact has been long lasting, and has given rise to military bases all over the country. This book richly explores the amendment and its history. Fascinating sidebars and photographs support the text.

We live in a world that has a heightened awareness and deep concern about terrorism. Interesting antiterrorism-based careers are experiencing a boom, including the role of cyberterrorism expert. Cyber attacks threaten our very infrastructure. This book explores how cyberterrorism experts tackle each assault. Readers will learn about important skills and educational steps that will lead to a successful career in this challenging realm.

Today''s Army has over 675,000 active duty and reserve soldiers in service. There are more than 150 Army careers, and this guide gives readers essential vocational information they need before deciding to enlist. Careers within a number of disciplines, including engineering, finance, medicine, human resources, law enforcement, psychology, computer technology, construction, and law are entertainingly covered. Also included is information about available options for life after the Army, such as through the Army Reserves and the Army Corps of Engineers. A detailed resources section helps point readers in the right direction to learn more about life in this military institution. With such a comprehensive view into the Army and all it has to offer, this book will help readers make an informed decision about whether serving is the right move for them.

Social alienation is a form of indirect bullying. In this penetrating narrative, teens learn about the effects of bullying, not only to the victim but also to the bully. They will learn how a sense of loneliness and frustration leave a victim vulnerable. Readers will also explore topics such as how bullies choose targets, how people who are socially isolated can develop a plan of defense, how to combat social alienation, what laws have been enacted to protect individuals from harassment, and which anti-bullying programs have led to success.

In 2006, an Australian computer programmer and former hacker named Julian Assange launched a website called WikiLeaks that he claimed would change the way governments worked. Assange envisioned the website as a place where people could post secret and confidential documents that would reveal the abuses by governments and corporations perpetrated against ordinary citizens. In less than five years, Assange took WikiLeaks from an obscure site known only to political activists and hackers to an international phenomenon. Documents made public by the website revealed a wide range of illegal and questionable behaviors by companies and governments around the world, from cover-ups of shady banking practices to assassination plots. Human rights groups and journalists have praised WikiLeaks for its work. Assange and WikiLeaks have received awards and recognition for promoting open governments. Yet they also have been criticized numerous times for releasing sensitive documents. Politicians in many countries have accused the site of attempting to undermine governments. In the United States, Assange has been vilified by some for releasing information about U.S. military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the website has been criticized for endangering these and other military and intelligence operations. WikiLeaks has faced efforts to cut off its funding and has survived several attempts to close it down through political pressure and court actions. Several major crises have threatened to derail WikiLeaks, including a criminal case against Assange in Sweden for which he is facing extradition. Key members left the group due to disagreements over the website’s mission and goals, and the methods used to achieve them. In addition, technical problems have periodically hampered the website’s ability to accept leaked documents and undermined its security. Even if WikiLeaks itself fades or collapses under the weight of its own controversies and challenges, the organization has still acted as a trailblazer in the fight for freedom of electronic information and provided an example for future activists to follow—and for those in positions of authority to fear. This book penetrates the highly secretive world of WikiLeaks, profiling its highest-ranking decision-makers, and examining the philosophy and motivation of its founder. Combining cloak-and-dagger, high-stakes international intrigue with impassioned public debate over the ethics of leaking and a straight-forward biography of a man and the company he founded, this book is a fascinating, compelling, thought-provoking read. The volume provides a privileged glimpse into the corridors of power and the top-secret decision-making we would otherwise remain unaware of; also included are fact sheets on Assange and WikiLeaks, and an informative timeline.

When the economy slows, a vicious cycle begins. People cut back on spending, so companies sell less and see their profits shrink. Workers are laid off, leading to even less consumer spending. With lower incomes, people pay less in taxes, and the government can''t fund its programs and services, reducing the quality of life for its citizens, who grow ever more fearful and less likely to spend money. Now, more than ever, young people need to understand the mechanisms of recession—how it begins, what happens when it takes hold, and how and when recovery begins. Armed with good information and useful knowledge, readers will feel less bewildered by economic events that seem beyond their control and better able to plan ahead for inevitable dips in the business cycle. Forewarned is forearmed, and knowledge is power. This book offers a highly empowering insight into the inner workings of the economy and the secrets to weathering even the worst recessionary storm.

Digital communication has quickly become a dominant form of interaction in our society and worldwide. The instantaneous convenience of conversation and dialog with friends down the street or strangers halfway across the globe is a wondrous technological development and one with enormous potential for relationship-strengthening, idea-sharing, and community-building. Yet the anonymity of digital communication and self-expression also provides some users with a false sense of impunity. They feel encouraged to say things they wouldn''t say in a face-to-face encounter. Some of these posts can be bullying; some can involve hate speech or defamation. Readers will walk the line that separates harsh but legitimate criticism, which is protected by free speech provisions of the Constitution, from defamation and other illegal forms of expression. They also wade into these troubled waters, sort through the major legal precedents, and are provided with some invaluable guidelines to follow when expressing themselves or communicating with others via the Internet.