Showing titles in Biographies

Dr. William Edward DuBois pioneered the science of sociology. His detailed long-range study of an African American community in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was the first of its kind. DuBois hoped that knowledge, and the ensuing understanding, might lessen the prejudice against African Americans. Later DuBois sought more radical methods of countering racism. DuBois helped found the Niagara Movement and the NAACP, and became the editor of Crisis, the NAACP's journal.

Young Mary Oliver was enthralled by nature. In the forest, she wondered about the birds and the lilies and the water in the stream—about all the things that cannot speak yet somehow spoke to Mary. She wondered, too, about poetry, about how words pieced together filled her with light and how some poems felt like they were written just for her. How could this be?

Exposed to the horrendous living conditions of women prisoners and their children, Elizabeth Fry pledged to improve the lives of society's most desperate people—something no one else dared to do. Telling doubters, "If I don't, who will?" Betsy became one of England's greatest reformers and one of the nineteenth century's most beloved people. Guided by her Quaker values, she led efforts in education and literacy, prison reform, and—together with figures such as William Wilberforce and Thomas Fowell Buxton—the abolition of slavery.

At least as far back as the ancient myth of Icarus, humans longed to fly - but it wasn't until December 17, 1903, on the windy dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, that the dream finally came true. And it was all thanks to Orville and Wilbur Wright, two former bicycle mechanics who built their first toy plane - a rubber-band powered rotary - when they were just children.

From the rising of the morning sun to the summer flooding of the Nile River, the ancient Egyptians believed powerful gods and goddesses ruled over every aspect of their daily lives. This Egyptian mythology guide takes you on a trip through the sands of time to explore the world of pharaohs and sphinxes - ancient Egypt!

In this biography collection, meet over twenty people with Down syndrome who have accomplished amazing things in their lives. Excelling in film, sports, business, photography, and more, these people are changing hearts and minds about their disability. Hear about Chris Nikic, the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman Triathlon, and Isabella Springmuhl Tejada, the first designer with Down syndrome invited to showcase her work at London Fashion Week. Learn about the Special Olympics, Best Buddies, and other organizations who support the Down syndrome community.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be the best basketball player who ever lived, then Legends in Sports: Michael Jordan is the audiobook for you. In this exciting biography, Matt Christopher, the number one children’s sportswriter in America, puts you on the basketball court with the legendary superstar. Take an inside look at the triumphs, struggles, and statistics of one of the most determined players in National Basketball Association history.

Theodore Roosevelt proved that a political figure could also excel in military matters and literary endeavors. This work covers a most interesting list of heroes in American history, from Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark through various Revolutionary War participants, to activities during the Civil War. Daniel Boone will always occupy a unique place in our history as the archetype of the hunter and wilderness wanderer.

“A really excellent introduction to an amazing female saint from the fourth century. Simonetta Carr gives a very personal feel for Macrina, as well as being theologically and historically rich!” JOHN BEHR, Regius Chair of Humanity, University of Aberdeen; and author of numerous works on patristics

In Damian Lillard: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Star Guards, you will learn the incredible story of one of basketball's greatest guards, Damian Lillard. Since being drafted by the Portland Trailblazers with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Lillard has dazzled for Portland fans. In his time thus far in the league, Lillard has consistently been one of the best point guards in the entire league, and helped Portland contend every year in the difficult Western Conference.

What do wooden ducks, devastating fires, and billions of colorful bricks have in common? Ole Kirk Kristiansen — and the remarkable story behind LEGO. His story takes you from a poor shepherd boy in rural Denmark to creating one of the world's most beloved toys that has sparked the imagination of children for generations. This true story shows what can happen when someone combines quality craftsmanship with bold innovation. What happened next revolutionized play for millions of kids worldwide. Inside, you'll find: The real story behind a company that survived fires, war, and economic ...

By the end of his brief life Ulrich Zwingli would change the religious landscape of his home and the world. It wasn't until the last few years of his life that he became a reformer. He fought for truth and righteousness with his mind and pen, he fought for lost souls to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, and at the age of 47, as an army chaplain, he was killed on the battlefield. The Shepherd Warrior, Ulrich Zwingli, fought the good fight. With his last strength he voiced his victory: "They can kill the body but not the soul!"

Meet Harry Kane - Ultimate Football Hero. When Harry Kane was released by Arsenal at nine years old for being too small, he had to use all his self-belief to prove that he could make it as a footballer. Now a superstar striker for Tottenham Hotspur and England, his hard work and determination have paid off. Kane is the amazing story of how the boy from North London became the Premier League's most lethal goalscorer.

Even though Leonardo Da Vinci wanted to learn all he could, he never received a formal education. Struggling to make a living in his 20s, he then moved to Milan, where he flourished. New worlds of discovery opened to him and his interests in engineering, art, theatre, and much more were satisfied. He expanded his knowledge in these fields to become a key figure in the Renaissance and an inventor whose designs of helicopters, parachutes, submarines, and many other ingenious devices were well ahead of their time.

From their top-selling albums and sensational sold-out tours to their forthcoming TV series and Disney Channel original movie Camp Rock, the Jonas Brothers have gone from obscurity to superstardom in the course of a year, and Kevin, Joe, and Nick are here to stay.

The story of a poor boy from Brazil who became the greatest soccer player of all time and one of the most important athletes of the twentieth century! His parents may have named him Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but to the rest of the world, he was known as Pelé. The soccer forward stunned...

How did a teenage actress become a Grammy-winning pop star? Find out in this Who HQ Now biography about Ariana Grande and her exciting career that spans the Broadway stage, television, and music to blockbuster movies! Ever since she was a child, Ariana Grande has been performing. When she was...

Did you know that Theodore Roosevelt was shot before a rally, and went on to give his speech with the bullet in his chest? Or that he skinny-dipped in the Potomac River? Bet you didn’t know that he had a zebra, a lion, and a one-legged rooster at the White House! Siblings Paige and Turner have collected some of the most unusual and surprising facts about the larger-than-life president, from his childhood and his Rough Rider days to his rise to politics and his complicated presidential legacy.

Discover how a young boy born in Portugal with a passion for soccer worked hard to become one of the most famous athletes of all time in this exciting addition to the Who HQ Now series that features newsmakers and trending topics. When he was just twelve years old, Cristiano Ronaldo was...

Although Orville and Wilbur Wright are celebrated today as heroes for their revolutionary contributions to science and engineering - they are acknowledged as the first men to successfully achieve powered, piloted flight - their success was hard-earned. In fact, it took the self-taught engineers years of work and dozens of crashes before they managed a single 12-second flight! In this first installment of the brand new Epic Fails series, Ben Thompson and Erik Slader take listeners through the Wright brothers' many mishaps and misadventures as they paved the way for modern aviation.