Looks at how the planet would be different if weather extremes did not exist, describing how certain plants thrive in extreme temperatures and how warmer weather in the Arctic and Antarctic would melt ice caps and raise sea levels.

Presents a brief history of vaccination, describes how and why it works, and looks at some of the deadly diseases vaccines have saved people from.

A humorous and gory look at the ancient Aztec tradition of sacrificing enemy warriors to the gods.

Describes the hazards of attempting to climb Mount Everest, including weather conditions, treacherous pathways, and physical limitations, and recounts the first successful expedition by Edmund Hillary in 1953.

Describes what it was like to be a nurse during the Civil War.

Uses humor in both text and illustrations to describe what it would require to launch a voyage of discovery, what shipboard life would be like, and what the rewards would be using the voyages of Columbus as an example.

"Get ready...as a young man in Civil War America, you are about to become involved in a highly dangerous underwater arms race. You could get into very deep water in the first submarine..."--Cover back.

Humorous illustrations, captions, and sidebars take away the glamour and romance of being a gangster in Chicago during the 1920s, illustrating the darker side of this profession.

Discusses the process of becoming a fighter pilot during World War II and how dangerous it was.