Product Description: When the Tudors weren't otherwise occupied with beheading wives and enemies, they were threatening to, or earning themselves nicknames like “Bloody Mary” and “The 9 Day Queen.” This very peculiar history tells their story, detailing each monarch's reign and casting light on the more bizarre elements of their time in power—right down to their seals and signatures and preferred methods of torture and execution...read more

Each title in this series takes readers on a historical journey, examining how people coped in the past and how they developed ingenious ways to make life safer and less unpleasant. Each book features full-color, cartoon-style illustrations and hilarious speech bubbles to heighten interest, making the series attractive even to reluctant readers. Simultaneous.

Dumas constructs the plot around the notion that the Man in the Iron Mask is the twin brother of Louis XIV, Philippe, who had been concealed and imprisoned from birth by his father, Louis XIII, and his mother, Anne of Austria, ”for the good of France”. Only a very few people living at the start of the novel know of Philippe’s existence; these include his mother, Anne, and her former confidante, the Duchesse de Chevreuse. Chevreuse has let the secret slip to Aramis, the Bishop of Vanne and her former lover. Aramis plots to replace Louis with Philippe as a puppet ruler for himself and Fouquet, and recruits Porthos to assist, although Porthos is unaware of the true nature of the plot. Aramis’s ambitions now know no bounds and he intends to become nothing less than the next Pope. Through an elaborate subterfuge mounted by Aramis, Philippe replaces a prisoner due for release from the Bastille and escapes to Vaux. Meanwhile, Fouquet is throwing a lavish party for Louis at Vaux. Colbert poisons the king further against Fouquet. While the king is still visiting Fouquet at Vaux, Aramis initiates the second half of his plan and kidnaps Louis with the assistance of Porthos, imprisoning Louis in the Bastille in Philippe’s place. He then substitutes Philippe for the King. Aramis conspiratorially informs Fouquet of his acts, but Fouquet wants no part in such treachery and rushes to the Bastille, rescues Louis, and brings him back to Vaux to confront Philippe. Realizing that his plot has unravelled, Aramis flees for Belle Île to escape the king’s impending wrath, taking Porthos with him. Louis regains the throne with d’Artagnan’s help, ending Philippe’s brief reign. Louis banishes Philippe, ordering that ”he will cover his face with an iron visor” which he ”cannot raise without peril of his life.”

Product Description: Meet Captain Henry Skull and the rascally crew of the Scurvy Dog! Be cast back to the Caribbean in the year 1716, the age of rum, treasure and treachery. Lift the flaps to uncover fascinating facts about a pirate's life at sea, plus unexpected surprises and the answer to a strange mystery...read more

Product Description: They might have been glamorous but they were grimy with it! Take a trip back through history and uncover the filth of the pharaohs, the horrors of Henry VIII and the vileness of Vlad in this warts-and-all story of the world's most infamous rulers...read more

Product Description: The world of the supernatural is full of mysteries. Readers will explore the world of the undead and discover the origin of vampires and why people fear them so much. Topics such as how to kill a vampire, how to keep vampires away, and more are brought to light...read more

Product Description: Countries in Our World focuses on the countries that shape and influence our modern world. Each book examines physical features, daily life, industry, media, leisure and much more. Each title in Countries in our World is a mine of useful information ideal for school and project work...read more

Product Description: Being stranded on a desert island is a relatively common theme in tales. However, this book teaches readers what to do if they are ever actually in such a situation. Informative text and real life stories demonstrate how to survive being trapped on an island in the middle of the ocean...read more

Product Description: Though the last of the US troops didnt pull out until late in 2011, few areas of Iraq are free from violence, and the Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish people continue to vie for adequate representation in the new government. Readers are provided with a comprehensive look at the recent history of Iraq, beginning with the rise of Hussein...read more

Product Description: The Iranian people have experienced great turmoil since the overthrow of the shah in 1979. That year, Ayatollah Khomeini established the Islamic Republic, a country whose government backed strict religious laws. This book gives a historical overview of the past three decades in Iran...read more

Many people know that war has devastated Sudans people, killing millions over the past 30 years. However, they may not know the causes and motivations behind the many factions of Africas largest country. While these topics are discussed, a glimpse of the civil war through the eyes of a girl in northern Sudan and a boy in the south are also provided. As letters are exchanged between the two, one in the city of Khartoum and the other in a refugee camp, they relate how differently their lives are affected by the conflict. Readers will gain a thorough understanding of the profound cost of this war through age-appropriate language and striking photographs.