Search results for ""facts on file inc""

Engineering combines applied science, math, and technology for the purpose of designing a wide variety of items, including structures, materials, processes, and machines. Engineers may choose to specialize in aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, petroleum engineering, computer engineering, genetic engineering, software engineering, nanotechnology, and molecular engineering, with new fields emerging as technology advances. Engineering Science Experiments explores the different fields of engineering through experiments that allow students to build, explore, test, question, and design. From constructing a suspension bridge to creating a hovercraft, these easy-to-follow activities allow young engineers to discover this scientific discipline in a hands-on way.

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Provides a concise account of the events, people, and special customs and traditions that have shaped Germany from ancient times to the present. This new resource provides the key background information readers need to put current global events in historical perspective.

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Narrates the history of Great Britain from the earliest times to the 21st century, covering the entire island--England, Wales, and Scotland--as well as associated archipelagos such as the Channel Islands, the Orkneys, and Ireland as they have influenced British history. The central story of this volume is the development of the British kingdom, including its rise and decline on the world stage. The book is built around a clear chronological political narrative while incorporating treatment of social, economic, and religious issues.

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Ancient Egypt was one of the longest-lasting civilizations the world has ever known. While most readers will be familiar with at least parts of ancient Egyptian history, contemporary Egypt and its connections to the ancient civilization are not always well understood. ""A Brief History of Egypt"" explores Egypt's broad political, economic, social, and cultural developments, from the mighty civilization of the past to the diverse cultural and political landscape of today, covering almost 6,000 years of history in a clear and concise manner. This book is a reliable introduction to the rich and fascinating history of Egypt and provides a solid background to this country. Today Egypt plays a vital role in the politics of the Middle East, and learning about its history, economic pressures, cultural identity, and social issues is essential to understanding the contemporary Middle East. Coverage includes: The Land and Its People; Ancient Egypt; Persian, Greek, Roman, and Arab Rule; Mamluk and Ottoman Rule; Early Westernizing Reform; The British Occupation and Nationalist Resistance; Ambiguous Independence; Military Rule and Arab Nationalism; Arab Socialism in Egypt; Anwar al-Sadat; and Contemporary Egypt.

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Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Third Edition brings the excitement of an ever-changing field of science to the fore-front. With the increase in natural disasters in recent years, the burgeoning world population is clearly expanding faster than our disaster reduction technology. This new edition provides a single source on historical earthquakes and volcanic eruptions from throughout the world. Updated with the most current information, this illustrated resource includes not only new geologic events, but also as many examples of historical earthquakes as possible for contrast or comparison. Coverage in the Middle East has been significantly expanded to include recent natural disasters, as well as events such as landslides and avalanches. Also, many tables were added to supplement the content and put the recent disasters into historical context.

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How to achieve career success without a college degree? A four-year college is not for everyone, but what options do high school graduates have without a degree? ""But What If I Don't Want to Go to College? Third Edition"" provides concrete, step-by-step information for students who wish to pursue alternative career avenues or educational opportunities after high school graduation. It examines careers in 16 industry categories and describes the skills and experiences required for each. It also offers guidance for self-assessment, determining what essential employment skills readers already possess, and choosing the right career path. Updates include: employment statistics; a table of industries expected to have the largest number of jobs in the future; fastest-growing jobs and training required for each professional field; current statistics on average earnings by education level; distance learning; salary and job statistics by industry; and where to look for jobs and how to get hired.

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For those who wish to appear on stage as well as those who prefer to work behind the scenes, ""Career Opportunities in Theater and the Performing Arts, Third Edition"" profiles more than 70 jobs in all branches of theater and the performing arts. The appendixes have been completely reviewed and updated, and two new profiles have been added - celebrity personal assistant and vocal coach. Career profiles include: Actor/Actress, Booking agent, Casting director, Celebrity personal assistant, Costume designer, Drama coach, Playwright, Theatrical press agent, Vocal coach, and more.

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By creating their own virtual day on the job, students can find out firsthand what it's like to have many exciting careers.

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This work offers a detailed narrative of the events that have shaped Ireland's history. The close geographical proximity of Great Britain has had a profound impact on Irish history. The interaction and confrontation between the two peoples and cultures culminated in 1801 with the absorption of Ireland into Great Britain. The Irish struggled to retain their separate ethnic identity - defined by a distinctive language cultural traditions, as well as the Roman Catholic religion - and ultimately, to win independence. Providing a broad narrative and relating the central events that have shaped the country, ""A Brief History of Ireland"" touches on all aspects of Ireland's history, including political, economic, cultural, social, and foreign affairs.Recounting this country's vast history - from ancient beginnings to the present day - the volume notes what makes Ireland unique among nations, including noteworthy accomplishments and contributions made by the Irish. It's coverage includes: Pagan Ireland; The arrival of Christianity; Viking and Norman invasions; Protestant power; The Great Famine; The struggle for independence; Political division of Ireland; Modern Ireland and its new role in the world; and, Irish culture and society.

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Dawn of the Dinosaur Age presents the first act in the drama that would become the Mesozoic Era, the Age of Reptiles. The rise of the first dinosaurs is the story of opportunity and evolutionary innovation. The first dinosaurs, after living in the shadows of larger, more dominant reptilian kin, took advantage of major mass extinctions at the end of the Triassic Period to take over niches once occupied by their predecessors. In the course of doing so, dinosaurs quickly radiated to widespread geographic ranges and began an evolutionary course that led to the development of two major groups of dinosaurs, the Saurischia and Ornithischia.The Late Triassic and Early Jurassic Periods were a time of experimentation in dinosaur evolution as the earliest herbivorous and predaceous dinosaurs adapted increasingly specialized body forms and lifestyles. ""Dawn of the Dinosaur Age"" explores the roots of the dinosaur family tree and the lifestyle and radiation of the first carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs.

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The first bursts of life found in the fossil record were single-celled bacteria and algae, the foundation of life that led to the extraordinary cavalcade of organisms that have walked the stage of Earth ever since. From the initial signs of life in the Precambrian Period to the end of the Cambrian Period about 488 million years ago, ""Early Life"" explores the development of early life that culminated in one of the most extraordinary periods in the evolution of life on Earth. Characterized as a ""biological big bang,"" the Cambrian Period was a relatively short span of time during which nearly all basic forms of animal life that still exist first appear in the fossil record of the ancient oceans. Alien-looking marine creatures developed in the oceans, and the first predators began hunting down other species in a biological ""arms race"" that pitted elegant strategies for defense against increasingly efficient means of attack.

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Descriptions of various jobs in the energy supply industry.

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The ability to work well with others is an absolute necessity in most workplaces, and ""Teamwork Skills, Third Edition"" is a useful guide to developing these fundamental skills. Teams have become the basic unit of productivity in today's businesses. With that in mind, this new book helps students understand the need for teams and how to achieve and encourage healthy team dynamics. Topics covered include developing people skills, effectively setting goals and negotiating, appreciating diversity among team members, and resolving team conflicts. New to this edition are true-or-false quizzes in every chapter as well as a new appendix of helpful Web sites. Chapters include: The Corporate Dream Team; Become People Smart; Understanding Team Culture; World Cup Teams; Team Conflicts and Other Concerns; Team Goal Setting and Negotiating; and, Avoiding Team-Killing Behaviors.

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Understanding the role of a leader in the work environment can make the work experience more rewarding and satisfying. By establishing the importance of leaders in almost any group dynamic, ""Leadership Skills, Third Edition"" helps students understand the qualities of all successful leaders, such as courteousness, compassion, decisiveness, and willingness to give and receive criticism. This new edition distills the essence of what leadership is into points that are easy to learn and cultivate, providing practical advice that may be useful in many settings. In addition to outlining how to lead a project through to successful completion, this accessible resource offers true-or-false quizzes as well as a new appendix of helpful Web sites. The chapters include: Leadership - What It Is and Why It Matters; Working with Others; Organizing a Project; Completing a Project; and, Learning to Lead.

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This book presents the major events, people, and traditions that have shaped Pakistan.""A Brief History of Pakistan"" presents a concise yet thorough account of this land whose past as a birthplace of civilization is as important to world history as is its pivotal place in contemporary geopolitics. Coverage includes the dramatic events, notable people, and special customs and traditions that have shaped this country. By illuminating the nation's past, this book gives readers a detailed perspective of Pakistan today and enables them to intelligently consider how it might change in the future.Coverage includes: The land and its people; The Indus Valley Civilization; The Vedic Age in Pakistan; The Mogul Period; British rule; The struggle for independence; Partition; Civilian and military rule; Islamization of Pakistan; Pakistan under Pervez Musharraf; Relations with the United States, India, and Afghanistan; Pakistan's nuclear weapons program; and, Secular/Islamic tensions.

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This is an essential reference for teens interested in the arts and communications. It is never too soon to start thinking about a future career, even as a young teen. For those who have the urge to write, perform, design, or otherwise create and communicate, opportunities are limitless in the arts and communications, and it can be invaluable to learn about the different options before committing to one choice. ""Career Ideas for Teens in the Arts and Communications"" profiles 36 jobs in this field, which span across many different industries. The careers profiled include: Actor; Animator; Choreographer; Development director; Editor; Film director; Journalist; Lobbyist; Photographer; Scriptwriter; Technical writer; Webmaster; and more.

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By 1938, North America was emerging from the Great Depression, but three years later, it would be plunged into war. During World War II when the largely male forces were fighting overseas, women left the home to work in business and factories in growing numbers, a trend that continued into the 1950s. A New Deal for Women traces the expanding roles of women as they came into their own following the Great Depression in World War II, and how they were able to maintain some of those gains during the post-war era.

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The growth of technology constantly creates new ways for information to be preserved and new avenues for people to access information. Trained information professionals help organize and store the information in the first place, and then provide guidance when it must be retrieved and synthesized. These professionals work in a range of settings, including academic, corporate, medical, law, music, public, and other types of libraries; archives; colleges and universities; home offices; business offices; and more.

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Activists are committed individuals who seek to correct perceived problems in society by educating the public, taking direct action, and urging government officials to act. There are activism opportunities in politics and with government agencies, at colleges and universities, in law offices, with nonprofit advocacy organizations and foundations, in court systems, in foreign countries, and in countless other settings. Careers in Focus: Activism profiles 20 careers for motivated people who want to make a difference in a rewarding position.

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Covers 22 jobs in the culinary arts, including: Bakery workers; Cooks and chefs; Dietitians and nutritionists; Food technologists; Meatcutters; and, Personal chefs.

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Provides an overview of the historical events that have taken place and shaped the islands of the Caribbean Sea - beginning with an account of the indigenous populations before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492 and ending with the major political and economic developments in early 2007 in Aruba, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, among others.The historical perspective is enriched by allusions to the culture, manners, and morals of particular periods, often highlighting the connection between literary activities and politics, such as the Negritude Movement, and literary figures and politicians, such as Juan Bosch in the Dominican Republic. Complementing the narrative are sidebars with important and unusual information on topics such as women pirates, meals eaten by slaves, and the cultural preference for strong leaders in the region. The authors attempt to give readers a multicultural perspective that will allow them to understand events from both an insider's and an outsider's viewpoints.

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Although it has been largely neglected, the Korean War served as the backdrop for many ""firsts"" in military history: the first extensive use of the helicopter, the first battles between jet aircraft, and the first time two world powers - the United States and China - met on a battlefield since World War II. A 1953 armistice halted the fighting, yet the war technically continues today, as North and South Korea remain divided. This comprehensive reference work draws from previously secret information found in Russian and Chinese archives as well as numerous primary source documents. It includes more than 600 A-to-Z entries written by over 100 military and civilian experts. The entries are carefully written to convey information about the war from the perspectives of both the United States and Korea, giving readers a balanced and comprehensive overview of this war.

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No study of economics would be complete without the foundations of economic thought. History of Economic Thought explores the philosophical underpinnings of economics, beginning with Aristotle and up through modern game theory. This new volume looks at the most prominent influences that weave through modern economics.

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From the dramatic rise in oil prices to the rights of women--an updated look at the history and developments of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is a country in transition, slowly but steadily changing from within and increasingly flexing its muscle and influence regionally. The country has entered the new century as a pivotal regional power. As the birthplace of Islam, it remains a powerful moral leader of the Muslim world, yet it still faces challenges. From Saudi Arabia's pre-Islamic history to the events of today, A Brief History of Saudi Arabia, Second Edition offers a balanced, informative perspective on the country's long history. Complete with black-and-white illustrations, maps, charts, a chronology, and basic facts, this comprehensive overview of the history of Saudi Arabia places the political, economic, and cultural events of today into a broad historical context.

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From the Enlightenment and the French Revolution to colonialism in the Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia, France has had a profound impact on the modern world. Famous for its cultural and political contributions to civilization, France now occupies a central role in the European Union, of which it is the largest member state.A Brief History of France offers a broad overview of the country's history, from the prehistoric Neanderthals to the present nation at the heart of the European Union, while also exploring the country's geography, culture, and society. Loaded with black-and-white photographs, maps, and informative sidebars, this new resource paints a detailed picture for readers interested in this European country.Coverage includes: Migration and eventual defeat of the Gauls by the Romans under Julius Caesar Wave of invasions of Germanic tribes from central and eastern Europe Christianity and the Kingdom of the Franks Joan of Arc and the making of the monarchy The French Revolution Republican rule Food and fashion Two world wars and the interwar years Regeneration and transformation Contemporary culture and leisure Issues of cultural assimilation and multiculturalism in the 21st century.

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Which novels are truly great, and why? The Novel 100, Revised Edition is a unique reference that profiles great novels drawn from all cultures and periods of literature. Each entry provides a plot summary and assessment of a particular novel, with an emphasis on facts about the novel's creation, critical reception, and contribution to literary history.For this revised edition, Daniel S. Burt has reevaluated the original list and added entries on 25 additional novels, including Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, Jane Austen's Persuasion, Charles Dickens's David Copperfield, Philip Roth's American Pastoral, and Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children. Featuring an index and a helpful bibliography, The Novel 100, Revised Edition is sure to engage readers in a spirited discussion of literary values.

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