Britannica Educational Publishing imprint: 818 books

While the medieval period is often written off as a backward and benighted era, it was, in fact, marked by advances in wind and water power, agriculture, navigation, timekeeping, and military technology. The invention of the printing press near the end of the Middle Ages ushered in the early modern...

People have harnessed the formidable power of moving water for millennia, but they have only used it to generate electricity since the late nineteenth century. Since that time, it has become an important alternative energy source to fossil fuels. In fact, more electricity is produced by waterpower...

Many people associate geothermal energy with watching dramatic geyser eruptions or relaxing in a steaming natural hot spring. However, heat from within the Earth can also be used to generate electricity and heat buildings. Readers learn about the past, present, and future of geothermal power through...

Farms of massive wind turbines, often framed by majestic mountains or with their bases lapped by ocean waves, have become one of the most recognizable images of alternative energy. This book covers the history of wind power, today's advanced turbines and wind farms, and the advantages and disadvantages...

Although the sun beams out more than enough energy to meet the needs of all of Earth's population, at the moment only a small percentage of the power we use is generated through the use of solar energy technologies. This volume examines the factors that have limited the role of solar power in the...

Through space exploration humans have learned a great deal about the planets, stars, and other objects in space. More than five thousand spacecraft have been launched into space to gather information since 1957. Without space travel, NASA may never have developed many of the things we take for granted...

When people think of objects in the sky, they may think of planets, the sun, moon, and constellations. Many other bodies orbit Earth and the sun, however. The sky below Earth's atmosphere holds many interesting objects as well. We may not need a telescope to see them, but they are no less awe-inspiring....

Engineering is an increasingly important field in our technology-driven marketplace. Those students with an engineering background will have a great advantage in the job market. This essential volume introduces readers to what engineers do as well as the various branches of the field. Also, it helps...

Not only were the gladiator games a central part of life for the average Roman citizen, but they also played a significant role in the development and maintenance of the Roman empire between 264 BCE and 404 CE. This text explores the fundamentals of the gladiatorial system, with a serious look at the...

Technology has existed for as long as humankind has invented items that improve and enhance daily living. The innovators of technology profiled in this comprehensive resource have affected nearly every facet of life, from transportation and communication to science and entertainment. Their developments...

Anthropologists, scientists who study humans and their ways of life, are continually finding and interpreting artifacts left by our earliest ancestors. They have helped us understand our origins as well as the intriguing cultures that developed as humans spread across Earth. This volume is a concise...

Children learn to ride them early in life. Weekend warriors use them for exercise. People even ride them to and from work. The bicycle is a source of entertainment, but it is also an invaluable means of transportation. Today, there are about two times more bicycles than cars worldwide. This fun and engaging...

Laws are a part of every community and government. This thought-provoking volume provides an accessible guide to these rules for readers who haven’t been involved in civic engagement or aren’t aware of how the law functions. Readers will learn about both the history of laws and legislatures as well...

Much myth has been made in subsequent centuries over the nomadic Mongols, who, under the unified leadership of the khan, established a massive empire spanning the Asian continent in the 13th century. This title follows the life of Genghis Khan, from humble beginnings through his rise to power and, ultimately,...