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There are many different types of diamonds in the world. They come in a range of colors and can be cut into all kinds of shapes. This book shows readers that the way these different kinds of diamonds are created really isn't that different at all. Interesting facts and detailed photographs explain where these gems come from, how they're made into jewelry, and what makes them so valuable.
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Emeralds are the most expensive gems in the world, but it takes a lot of time and effort for them to get that way. Readers will discover many interesting facts about this beautiful May birthstone that takes millions of years to form. Vibrant photographs capture emeralds at all stages, from the mines to beautiful pieces of jewelry.
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The world's wildlife is vanishing at an alarming rate. Scientists at the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Federation estimate that one in four mammals, and a full third of Earth's amphibians are in danger of becoming extinct. Today species are becoming extinct at a rate that is anywhere from 100 to 1,000 times faster than normal. People have been in fierce competition with wild animals for land, food, and natural resources for years. When over-hunting and -fishing of species and a rise in the level of pollution is added to this mix, humans come to represent the single gravest threat to wildlife survival. Any species that disappears leaves a hole in the web of life. Mass extinction would leave so many holes that the web might totally fall apart. Humans must realize the important role wildlife plays in the survival of the planet and reverse the damage--before it's too late.
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Some of the most famous animals in history have been horses. From George Washingtons trusty Arabian, Magnolia, to the fictional stallion Black Beauty, horses have played an important part in historical events, books, television shows, and movies for many years. Readers will discover important facts about some of the worlds most important and beloved horses. Photographs of the horses and their owners help illustrate these amazing and beautiful animals.
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Tacos, enchiladas, tortillas, and even huevos rancheros are not unusual items in many American restaurants. Mexican food is loved all over the world, but Mexicos kitchens hold much more than these dishes. Some surprising ingredients and fascinating cultural facts are in store for readers and fledgling chefs. Mexicans use prickly pear cactus, plantains, and even chocolate in their meals. A salsa recipe at the end of the book gives young cooks a chance to create their own fiesta!
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Since the terrible events of 9/11, more attention than ever has been paid to the threats and challenges posed by terrorists. Weinberg explains who the terrorists are, where they came from, what motivates them, and what, if anything, can be done to stop them. It provides a fascinating insight into how terrorist 'cells' operate and what they might do in the future. Leonard Weinberg is Foundation Professor of Political Science at the University of Nevada. He has also served as a consultant to the United Nations Office for the Prevention of Terrorism and was a recipient of the 1999 Thornton Peace Prize.
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Great Expectations is Charles Dickens's thirteenth novel. It is his second novel, after David Copperfield, to be fully narrated in the first person. Great Expectations is a bildungsroman, or a coming-of-age novel, and it is a classic work of Victorian literature. It depicts the growth and personal development of an orphan named Pip. The novel was first published in serial form in Dickens's weekly periodical All the Year Round, from 1 December 1860 to August 1861. In October 1861, Chapman and Hall published the novel in three volumes.Dickens originally intended Great Expectations to be twice as long, but constraints imposed by the management of All the Year Round limited the novel's length. The novel is collected and dense, with a conciseness unusual for Dickens. According to G. K. Chesterton, Dickens penned Great Expectations in "the afternoon of [his] life and fame." It was the penultimate novel Dickens completed, preceding Our Mutual Friend.It is set among the marshes of Kent and in London in the early to mid-1800s. The novel contains some of Dickens most memorable scenes, including its opening, in a graveyard, when the young orphan Pip is accosted by the escaped convict, Abel Magwitch. Great Expectations is a graphic book, full of extreme imagery, poverty, prison ships ("the hulks"), barriers and chains, and fights to the death.Upon its release, Thomas Carlyle spoke of "All that Pip's nonsense." Later, George Bernard Shaw praised the novel as "All of one piece and consistently truthfull." Dickens felt Great Expectations was his best work, calling it "a very fine idea," and was very sensitive to compliments from his friends: "Bulwer, who has been, as I think you know, extraordinarily taken by the book."Great Expectations has a colourful cast that has entered popular culture: the capricious Miss Havisham, the cold and beautiful Estella, Joe the kind and generous blacksmith, the dry and sycophantic Uncle Pumblechook, Mr. Jaggers, Wemmick with his dual personality, and the eloquent and wise friend, Herbert Pocket. Throughout the narrative, typical Dickensian themes emerge: wealth and poverty, love and rejection, and the eventual triumph of good over evil. Great Expectations has become very popular and is now taught as a classic in many English classes. It has been translated into many languages and adapted many times in film and other media.
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Gymnasts are among the strongest athletes in the world. They leap, tumble, flip, and fly through the air with finesse. Readers interested in gymnastics will discover what it takes to become a gymnast, as well as the different gymnastic events they can participate in. Photographs of gymnasts and gymnastic apparatuses show readers what its like to join the team.