DK Definitive Visual Encyclopedias – serie

This lavishly illustrated visual encyclopedia tells the story of our world in depth and detail from the dawn of civilization to the present day.Charting human endeavour from every angle, History chronicles the significant events, ground-breaking ideas, political forces, and technological advances that have shaped our planet. Every historical episode is explored and explained with the help of stunning images that bring the authoritative text to life. Important points in history, from the battle of Hastings and the storming of the Bastille to D-Day and 9/11, have clear but concise coverage, together with profiles of influential figures, such as Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and Nelson Mandela. It's time to head back in time and explore the past with this striking history book, which features: - Profiles of key people who have made history- Features on inventions, discoveries, and ideas that changed the world- Graphics lend immediacy and impact to key statistics- National Histories section separately chronicles key events of every countryAs each moment in history is defined and detailed, supporting panels note the causes and consequences, providing wider context and broadening our horizons. New and enhanced coverage of recent events - such as the Arab Spring - and contemporary issues such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, bring the book firmly into the present. With its broad-themed approach to important historical events, this book shows that ours is a history with genes and viruses, not just battle and treaties - and the stories and biographies of men and women from every corner of the globe who have shaped today's world reaffirm that History is the story of humankind in which everyone has a part to play.

Marvel at the wonders of the Universe, from stars and planets to black holes and nebulae, in this exploration of our Solar System and beyond.Universe opens with a look at astronomy and the history of the Universe, using 3D artworks to provide a comprehensive grounding in the fundamental concepts of astronomy, including the basic techniques of practical astronomy.The core of the book is a tour of the cosmos covering the Solar System, the Milky Way, and galaxies beyond our own. Explanatory pages introduce different celestial phenomena, such as galaxies, and are followed by catalogues that profile the most interesting and important examples.A comprehensive star atlas completes the picture, with entries on each of the 88 constellations and a monthly sky guide showing the night sky as it appears throughout the year as viewed from both the northern and southern hemispheres.

Dive into an unprecedented survey of millions of years of life on planet Earth. Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life is a beautifully crafted encyclopedia of prehistoric species that the whole family can enjoy. Featuring an incredible mix of 3D reconstructions, extraordinary skeletons, and amazingly intricate fossils, it uses the latest scientific research to recreate a wealth of ancient species, from the earliest primitive life forms to great dinosaurs, early mammals, and even the first humans.This richly illustrated catalogue starts with the first Precambrian microbes and traces the evolution of life through mass extinctions and ice ages. As well as dinosaurs, it features extinct plants, invertebrates, amphibians, fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals, conjuring up a series of past worlds. The book also explores geological time and examines how fossils preserve the story of evolution.In the pages of this unique book of natural history, you'll find:- A detailed catalogue of over 500 animals, plants, fungi and microbes with illustrations and fact files unmatched by any other book on the market.- A tour of some of the most fascinating fossils and skeletons.- Clear CGI reconstructions give a new life to some of the oldest identified species, allowing you to visualise them as they would have existed on Earth.- Richly annotated artworks displaying geological processes including how Earth formed and how fossils are preserved in rockCombining stunning visuals and clear text, Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life is not only packed with fascinating prehistoric facts and species, it's beautifully foiled cover will take pride of place on your coffee table! The ideal gift for dinosaur enthusiasts and naturalists of all ages that will be treasured for years to come.

A complete and harmonious history of music, from prehistory to the present day!Have you ever wondered how blues influenced rock music? Or why jazz went Latin? Classical or rock, everyone has their favourite music style, but how did your top choice come about? If you find yourself asking these musical questions and more, then this may be the book for you! Music is a compelling and richly illustrated history of the most unifying art form in the world. Explore the roots of all genres from chants of the middle ages through the grandeur of the classical period to the modern rhythm of blues, jazz, hip-hop, and pop. Music includes illustrated histories of instruments and listening suggestions for each musical genre. Spectacular galleries display families of instruments from around the world, while special features showcase the evolution of key instruments, such as the piano and the guitar, and profile iconic innovators such as Mozart, Billie Holiday, and David Bowie. Charting every musical revolution, from bone flutes to electronica and from jazz to hip-hop, this visually stunning history of music will hit the right note, whether you are into pop or rock, or disco or rap, classical or opera.Explore the magical world of music like you've never known it before, and discover: -Revolutionary musical developments outlined step by step-Biographies profiling the lives and works of groundbreaking musicians-Collection spreads feature families of instruments, such as the gamelan-"Story of" spreads chart the evolution of individual instruments-Key Works boxes provide listening suggestions for different music styles-Illustrated glossary clearly explains musical terminology and genresThis magnificent book about music charts and explains the entire global history of music, whether it's music in the Middle Ages, to the Sounds of Soul, music in the Romance period to Renaissance and so much more. This new edition of Music has been updated with the latest facts and information, including the latest on streaming music, with specially-comissioned photography including a Stradivarus guitar, the earliest cello known to survice and a guitar used personally by Bob Dylan!A must-have volume for musicians, music students or simply those wanting to learn about the history of their favourite music genre or their chosen instrument, Music is sure to delight!

This landmark photographic encyclopedia of the animal kingdom is revised with new species, images, and the latest scientific knowledge on all things animal!DK's Animal features stunning wildlife photography of more than 2,000 of the world's most important wild mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and other invertebrates, written by 70 natural history specialists. Each animal species comes with a description, photo, distribution map, and statistics, including its conservation status. Whilst also explaining animal biology in beautiful visual detail, Animal contains a chapter of portraits of the different types of environment that animals inhabit. For anyone who wants a reliable and enthralling reference, in which you can find the answers to everything - from why zebras are striped to how the sunbear got its name - this awe-inspiring animal book is your go-to guide!Step inside the pages of this amazing animal encyclopedia:- A visual catalogue containing descriptions of over 2,000 animal species, with distribution maps and striking photos.- Each catalogue is organised into taxa (the groups of related species that scientists use to classify animals). Each taxon has an introduction explaining which animals belong to the group and what they have in common.- Researched, written, and authenticated by a team of over 70 zoologists and naturalists from around the globe.- Introductory chapter describes animal biology in beautiful visual detail.- Habitats chapter provides visual portraits of the different types of environment that animals inhabit.A must-have volume for animal lovers of all ages, whether you're a habitual viewer of wildlife documentaries, or an enthusiastic visitor of zoos and safari parks, Animal has something for everyone to explore and love, and is sure to delight!

Combining stunning photographs with expert knowledge, this book is a dazzling guide to precious stones, organic gems, and precious metals.Discover the intriguing stories of the world's most famous and fabulous gems, including the mysterious Hope Diamond, the stunning Koh-i-Noor of the Crown Jewels, and exquisite Fabergé eggs. Trace the history of gemmology, learn all about the key characteristics of precious and semi-precious stones, and discover the science behind some of their more unusual and mysterious properties.With a foreword by antiques expert Judith Miller, co-founder of Miller's Antiques Price Guide, and a regular presenter on BBC's The Antiques Roadshow, this sumptuous celebration of gems and jewels is guaranteed to bring sparkle to both your life and your library.Dive deep into the pages of this dazzling book on jewels to discover: - Hundreds of specially commissioned, spectacular photographs.- Intriguing features on the history of gemstones, and the fascinating real-life stories behind them.- Stunning photography showcases the brilliance of semi-precious and precious stones, minerals, and metals.- Fascinating features on the most famous (and infamous) gems, and on the history of gemmology.- Optional 80-page directory sectionJewel is the ultimate guide to gemstones, jewels, and jewellery - combining mineralogy with culture, history, and symbolism, and proves the perfect addition to the library of jewel lovers of any ages. Whether you're interested in gems, jewellery, and making jewellery, or a student of gemmology or geology, this gorgeous gem gift book is sure to delight.

A beautiful guide to Earth's wildlife and natural history, including its rocks, minerals, animals, plants, fungi, microorganisms and more!Introducing The Natural History Book - a complete guide to the nature and wildlife of our world and written by a worldwide team of natural history experts. In the 11 years since the book was originally released, thousands of new species have been identified, and new revelations have redrawn the tree of life. Already featuring galleries of more than 5,000 species, The Natural History Book has since been updated to include dynamic discoveries such as the olinguito (the "kitty bear" of the Andean cloud forest), and a new species of deep-sea Bolosoma glass sponge photographed by the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, alongside a reorganization of the groups of living things to reflect the latest scientific understanding. Explore each and every page of this stunning nature book to discover: - A full-colour gallery of over 5,000 species- Over 500 rocks, minerals and fossils featured throughout- Includes glossary of important natural history terms - Specially-commissioned photographs showcase wildlife in close-up detailThis treasure-trove of natural history is accompanied with easy-to-read, accessible information and beautifully-striking imagery, making it a riveting reference guide to pass down for generations to come. The only book to offer a complete visual survey of all kingdoms of life, this nature book for adults is the perfect addition to every family bookshelf, as well as an ideal gift for the nature, animal and plant lover in your life! Gardeners, hikers, and visitors to wildlife park and natural history museums alike would also love this niche nature book, which also doubles up as the perfect coffee table book. Split into 6 core chapters, covering Living Earth, Minerals, Rocks and Fossils, Microscopic Life, Plants, Fungi, and Animals - there truly is something for everyone to explore, love and learn. From granites to grape vines, from microbes to mammals, The Natural History Book is the ultimate celebration of the diversity of the natural world.

Explore the science innovations as you have never seen them with this visual guide. From the humble beginnings of science, right through to today's information age - go on a journey through the history of science through its people, inventions, and discoveries. This updated 3rd edition explores astronomy, biology, geology, mathematics, and more in stunning visual detail. Inside the pages of Science: The Definitive Visual History, you'll find: - The most recent scientific discoveries across a variety of fields, from astronomy to genetics - Scientific concepts explained using clear, instantly understandable text combined with informative diagrams and CGIs- Feature spreads that illuminate the breakthroughs that changed the world - "Before" and "After" panels allow the reader to follow a particular theme throughout the bookThis fully comprehensive visual guide delves into the groundbreaking moments in science that changed the world. Explore the experiments, theories, and individuals and why each is so significant to developing scientific thought from Greek geometry to quantum physics. This science book also includes great scientists such as Zhang Heng, Isaac Newton, and Marie Curie and gives you more information about the people behind each discovery. Updated to include the latest scientific developments, from recent advances in genetic engineering to the detection of gravitational waves 100 years after Einstein predicted their existence, Science is the ultimate gift for any science or history enthusiasts!

Bring the diversity and drama of the bird world to life with this encyclopedic new edition.A must-have for every avian enthusiast, this catalogue showcases thousands of bird species pictured in their native environment. Shot by photographers around the globe, the vivid images are accompanied by in-depth introductions to all 40 of the world's newly reclassified bird orders. Compiled by a team of experts and revised by BirdLife International, Bird provides the most up to date and comprehensive photographic tour of the wondrous world of birds. Dive in and you will find: -A bird by bird catalogue of more than 1,280 species, each with a description, data file, and distribution map-An introduction describing bird biology in beautiful visual detail. -Feature spreads showcasing the planet's most impressive sites for birdwatching -Photographic essays that display the best in bird photography Discover the world of the skies!Unrivaled in scope for a single-volume reference work, Bird's photographic catalogue features species from hummingbirds to monkey-eating eagles, organised in taxonomic order. Immerse yourself in the life of birds; read about their migrations, anatomy, feeding and breeding. All this, and special features on the world's most sought after bird watching locations, make this "A must-have reference for every bird enthusiast" - BBC Wildlife Magazine.Whether you're an avian expert who knows your Accipitriformes (birds of prey) from your Falconiformes (falcons and caracaras), or are simply a nature lover wanting to learn more, you won't find a more detailed or comprehensive photographic bird book than this. What's new? After a major reclassification of all birds, this new edition is the only guide currently in print covering the new system of 40 bird orders and 140+ families, including an updated catalogue with newly discovered species. Reviewed by the experts at BirdLife International, you can be sure that you are getting the latest knowledge of bird biology and classification.

Explore and understand the natural and human wonders of our planet.Now, in its third edition, this landmark encyclopedia celebrates our planet and explains the science underpinning the forces and processes that have made and shaped it. Artworks, photographs, terrain models, and maps are combined to capture the power of landscapes and natural events and show their hidden sides, explaining, for example, how an earthquake is triggered and how burning fossil fuels is driving a climate emergency.In this earth book, you will find: More than 3,000 photographs, artworks, and mapsA 40-page timeline of Earth's history includes human evolution and the story of human colonisation of the planetSections which explore human impact features - on subjects from deforestation to population growthAn atlas section includes original maps centred on Earth's seven major tectonic platesParts of the book lay out systematic and in-depth reference guides to core scientific information, such as more than 100 types of rocks and minerals. Similar sections contain visual profiles of some of the wonders of the natural world, from the Andes and Himalayas to the Grand Canyon, Sahara Desert, and Amazon Rainforest.Revised and updated to include the latest developments in fast-changing geology and Earth science areas - including Earth history, climate change, and urban geography - this is a classic reference book for anyone who wants to understand how our planet works.

A beautifully illustrated newly revised guide to the underwater world of the Earth's oceans. Introducing the most comprehensive, visual, and accessible ocean encyclopedia available on the market! Ocean is illustrated with a blend of beautiful and informative artworks, maps, and photography, it is a broad-ranging, in-depth guide to both physical oceanography and marine life. Thoroughly updated to include the latest research on ocean science and profiles of newly discovered species, Ocean remains an indispensable, all-encompassing visual guide to the marine world.Dive deep into the depths of these pages as you explore:-Unique illustrated directory sections spotlight important sites and species-Double-page feature spreads explore interaction between people and the environment-16-page picture essay and 13 double-page images showcase the best in ocean photography-Covers physical oceanography, marine biology, and the impact humans are having on the oceans-Reliable reference thoroughly authenticated by the American Museum of Natural HistoryA comprehensive introduction explains important principles and processes, from the geology of the seafloor to the chemistry of seawater. The next two chapters look at key environments - from the seashore out to the open ocean - and the main groups of ocean life. The final chapter is a detailed, 60-page atlas of the world's oceans and seas, illustrated with maps compiled from satellite measurements of the ocean floor!More than 285,000 copies have been sold since publication of the first edition in 2006, but now thoroughly updated to include the latest research on ocean science and profiles of newly discovered species, Ocean remains an indispensable, all-encompassing visual guide to the marine world. A must-have volume for readers aged 14+, whether students looking for an introduction to the scientific study of the oceans, or schools and colleges looking for a library purchase to support students of geography and Earth sciences. Doubling up as a perfect gift purchase for the ocean lover in your life, this reliable reference book can be enjoyed by the entire family!

Comprehensive, accessible, and lavishly illustrated, this is an essential and timely guide to the world's key plant and fungus species.Written by specialist experts, Plants & Fungi is an illustrated exploration of the world's most fascinating species, many of which are also highly valued for their ecological, economic, and cultural importance.Covering all of the main groups - from the fleeting wildflowers that bring life to deserts to the towering rainforest giants, and from the lichens of the Arctic to predatory species that feed on animals - the book reveals the spectacular diversity of plants and fungi, the ecosystems they support, their symbiotic relationships with animals, and each other, and their use in everything from food to clothing and medicine.The book explores how plants and fungi grow and reproduce, and the ways they have evolved to adapt to every continent on Earth – even in the harshest of conditions – while celebrating their beauty and diversity, and telling the story of the world's more unusual and intriguing species