Ben Hubbard

Plague examines historys most destructive pandemics including The Black Death (Bubonic Plague), The Great Plague of London, the 1918 Spanish Flu, HIV/AIDS and more. It uses a narrative structure to describe the causes, events and eventual cessation of each outbreak. It features case stories of those affected, the science behind each disease, the physical symptoms and effects, and the different approaches to stopping or eradicating the diseases. This is a highly topical book that addresses the outbreak of COVID-19. It offers a message of hope to those worried or affected by COVID-19. That is, that pandemics come and go, people have survived through them, and with each one our understanding of how to slow or stop them increases.The book features illustrations and etchings from the Middle Ages and photographs from pandemics later in history.

As every amateur toxicologist knows the difference between a poison and medicine is often simply the dose There is no weapon as insidious as seductive or as mysterious as poison In this terrifying account of history s silent assassin discover the gripping tales of users abusers and victims of these mysterious substances from Cleopatra and Catherine de Medici to contemporary secret service agents and terrorists Documenting royal scandal political upheaval and personal tragedies Poison details a gruesome thread that runs often undetected through human history

Prepare to be amazed by these incredible tales of human strength and determination in the face of disaster. Read 15 amazing survival stories, and let the exciting narrative text and dramatic illustrations drop you right into the action. Disasters often make the headlines, but this book focusses on the survivors. Find out how these real-life heroes survived volcanic eruptions, floods, tsunamis, wildfires, plane crashes, shark attacks and much more, using only their wits, their determination and the most basic of tools. From the much anticipated 2018 rescue of the 13 Thai boys who were trapped in a cave, to Steve Callahan, who was adrift at sea for 76 days, youll be astonished by these thrilling stories of survival.

What if you could look back in time and meet everyday children just like you, but from a totally different world? How We Lived in Ancient Times is an amazing window into history through the lives of children through time, showing the clothes they wore, the food they ate, the games they played, and the amazing worlds they lived in. Each section opens with a new child introducing themselves to the reader in a stunning illustrated double-page scene. Behind them, the reader can see the childs environment, from prehistoric caves to Egyptian temples. This is followed by fact-filled pages, allowing readers to see their tools they used, the toys they loved, the food they ate, and much more. Join them in a Japanese palace, explore a Viking village, and race with them on horseback across the Scythian plains. How We Lived in Ancient Times is an unforgettable journey back in time.

The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Is this ancient curse fact, myth, or legend? Find out all we know about the curse of King Tuts tomb and its history in this exciting book!There have long been legends of a curse bestowed upon anyone who disturbs the final resting ground of an Egyptian pharaoh. Lore surrounding these curses claim that they may bring bad luck, illness, or even death.The legend of the curse of King Tutankhamuns tomb spread after odd circumstances and mysterious deaths seemed to follow Howard Carters research team shortly after discovering and unsealing King Tuts tomb in 1922. It was one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all things Egyptianincluding a desire for the very wealthy to own actual mummies.Learn about the history of King Tut and follow the journey of Howard Carter, his patron Lord Carnarvon, and his team as they explore the ancient Egyptian burial site. Did their curiosity unleash a frightening and lifelong curse as punishment for disturbing the pharaohs rest?

The true nature of the Japanese samurai warrior is an elusive and endlessly fascinating enigma for those in the West. From their inauspicious beginnings as barbarian-subduing soldiers, the samurai lived according to a code known as bushido - or way of the warrior. Bushido- advocated loyalty, honour, pride and fearlessness in combat. Those who broke the code were expected to perform seppuku, or suicide through stomach-cutting. By its very design, seppuku aimed to restore honour to disgraced warriors by ensuring the most painful of deaths. However, the bushido- virtues of loyalty and honour fell into question as the samurai grew powerful enough to wrest control from the emperor himself. Accompanied by vivid colour illustrations, The Samurai offers a complete, concise account of samurai history and culture. It tells the story of the rise of the samurai as a martial elite, the warriors centuries long struggle for power and their long slide into obsolescence.

Leap into the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence, in which cars drive themselves, robots become footballing champions, and tiny nanobots track down and kill diseases within the body! Learn what artificial intelligence actually is and how it can be used to help humans now and in the future. Are you ready to find out more about this brave new world? Artificial Intelligence is part of the Reading Planet range of books for Stars (Lime) to Supernova (Red+) band. Children aged 7-11 will be inspired to love reading through the gripping stories and fascinating information books created by top authors. Reading Planet books have been carefully levelled to support children in becoming fluent and confident readers. Each book features useful notes and questions to support reading at home and develop comprehension skills. Reading age: 9-10 years

Come with Jack as he shines a spotlight down into this dark and murky world. You will meet all sorts of animals, from the vampire squid in the twilight zone, to the flashing sea cucumber on the seafloor. You will find out about shocking shipwrecks and smart submarines, and the reasons that we must protect our seas. Down we go! Down in the Deep Sea is part of the Astro range from Rising Stars Reading Planet. Astro books are ideal for struggling and reluctant readers aged 7-11. Each book is dual-banded so that children can improve their fluency whilst enjoying exciting fiction and non-fiction relevant to their age. Astro books for Mercury/Purple band are also highly-decodable so ideal for extra phonics practice. Reading Planet books have been carefully levelled to support children in becoming fluent and confident readers. Each book features useful notes and questions to support reading at home and develop comprehension skills.Interest age: 7-8 Reading age: 6-7 years

En este libro encontrarás la historia de Hugo, un joven campesino enviado por su padre a un castillo para convertirse en caballero. Primero trabajará como paje y servirá banquetes a invitados y juglares, luego se formara como escudero y asistira a un torneo, y por ultimo, sera nombrado caballero. Entretanto, vivira el ataque de un ejercito enemigo que intenta derribar los muros con catapultas o penetrar a traves de las almenas con ayuda de una torre de asedio. Recrea este ataque, participa en las valientes azañas de Hugo por proteger a los que se han refugiado en el castillo y conviertete en un autentico caballero medieval.Gran cantidad de detalles40 figuras para completar tus historias

The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Are dragons fact or legend? Find out everything we know about the history of these magical and mythical creatures.Are dragons winged, fire-breathing beasts or water gods who promise good luck? Across the globe, legends of dragons have varied greatly. Stories and images of dragons can be traced back to the ancient worlds of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In many East and Southeast Asian cultures, dragons were considered friendly, serpent-like creatures, but in Western cultures, they were ferocious, feared, and monstrous. Were dragons slayed by knights in medieval Europe? Or did they bring promises of plentiful rain in Japanese folklore? Both! These are just two examples of historic dragon lore. Today, dragons are in their golden age. They are featured in literature, games, movies, and television and have never been more popular. How to Train Your Dragon shows them as peaceful companions to humans. The Hobbit uses a dragon as a clever and cruel villain. From Norway to Korea, send your curiosity into flight and learn all we know about these mysterious creatures in this exciting book for young readers!

The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Are fairies supernatural helpers or mischievous tricksters? Find out everything we know about the history of these magical and mythical creatures.For centuries, the presence of fairies has been both debated and celebrated. To many cultures, their existence is as true as the sky is blue! In British and Spanish folklore, fairies sometimes live in barns and houses, helping with household chores for free, while in Celtic culture, fairies are frightening spirits who put curses on people. Some fairies are shy, hiding from humans in the forests, while others help hikers lost in nature. Fairies have been depicted in fairy tales such as Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, and other classic literature. In modern stories, fairies are often beautiful, magical winged creatures with a variety of powers and capabilities. Whether we call them fae folk, fair folk, or fairies, the question remains: Are fairies real, and, if so, where can we spot them?

The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Is this celebrated sea creature fact, myth, or legend? Find out all we know about the Kraken and its history in this exciting book!Presenting What Do We Know About?, an exciting new extension the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series!Sea monsters have a long history in lore and literature. Homer first wrote of them in 700 BCE. What Do We Know About the Kraken? lets curious young readers explore what we actually know about this mysterious sea monsters long history. Dive into the facts behind this massive squid-like creature that was first described using the word "Kraken" in the beginning of the eighteenth century. For centuries, sailors have feared the Kraken, which they believe lurks in the ocean, waiting to pull ships beneath the surface with its powerful tentacles. Several famous writers such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Jules Verne have described monsters inspired by the Kraken. In this book, readers will also learn about the real creature that might have inspired the Kraken -- the giant squid.

The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Are the geometric field patterns fact, myth, or legend?Presenting What Do We Know About: an exciting new addition to the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series!What Do We Know About Crop Circles? lets curious young readers learn about the phenomenon of crop circles and how they came to be one of the most studied mysteries of the natural world. Read about all of the rational and fanciful explanations for these flattened patterns in crops all over the world, from the United Kingdom to Australia. Artists and hoaxers alike have claimed credit for these massive projects, but some people think that the source could be paranormal. Are these circles an elaborate prank, or could they be something more?

The notorious true story of a group of pioneers forced to make impossible decisions when trapped in the mountains for an entire winterpart of the New York Times bestselling What Was? series, featuring 16 pages of photos.In the winter of 1846-47, a group of eighty-seven pioneers heading from the Midwest to California found themselves snowbound in the Sierra Nevada mountain range with no way forward and no food or supplies. While forty-eight of the group members survived, the others perished due to extreme weather, starvation, and illness. To survive, the remaining people resorted to extreme measures...including cannibalism. Theirs is a story of miscalculations, bad decisions, and extreme weatherbut its also a story of survival and bravery among everyday people.

The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Does the ape-like Yeti really roam the Himalayan mountain range?Not quite human and not quite an animal, the Yeti has been the subject of speculation for centuries. In modern times, the Yeti has become a popular cryptid, appearing in movies, books, and TV shows. Although there are many claimed sightings of the Yeti, there is no real evidence that it exists. This elusive cryptid, also known as the Abominable Snowman, remains a mystery. Does the Yeti truly live in the snowy Himalayas? Have the Sherpa who live there spotted him at the highest altitudes? Here are the facts about what we really know about Yeti sightings, research, and lore.

How did the mysterious images high in the Nazca Desert in Peru come to be? Find out the truth about these ancient figures in the soil that can only be fully seen from high above the Nazca plain.Presenting What Do We Know About?, an exciting extension of the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series!The Nazca Lines in Peru have mystified people around the world for centuries. The famous figures, sometimes called geoglyphs, include a hummingbird, a spider, a fish, a monkey, a dog, a cat, human-like figures, geometric designs, and more. These amazing images were believed to have been created between 500 B.C.E. and 500 C.E., and no one is quite sure how or why they were created. Some historians believe that they are ancient irrigation systems, but other researchers believe in a more paranormal origin story. Were the Nazca Lines created by ancient cultures thousands of years ago, or could they have been alien landing sites? Find out the truth about the Nazca Lines in this book for young readers.

The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Will we ever learn the truth about what actually landed at Roswell? From the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series comes Where Is?, a series that tells the stories of world-famous landmarks and natural wonders and features a fold-out map!In 1947, an unusual object crashed in the New Mexico desert and was recovered by the Roswell Army Airfield officers. People everywhere began to speculate what the object could be. Could it possibly be a flying saucer? Would that be proof of aliens and life beyond Earth? Even decades later, some people still believe that the Roswell Incident is the most famous UFO sighting ever. Still, those who worked at the airfield insist it was just a weather balloon that had fallen from the sky. Was the Roswell Incident evidence of alien life, a government cover-up, or just a myth? Here are the facts about what we do know about Roswell.

Animals are even more amazing than most people realise. With their super-senses and special abilities, animals can sniff out disease in humans, dig out those trapped by avalanches and even detect earthquakes before they strike. It hard to imagine where humans would be without animals to help us.The simple text explains how and why animals help us and have a positive impact on our lives, often alongside the people who help us, too. From guide dogs and sheep dogs to therapy pets and police horses, readers will learn about the many ways people rely on animals to stay safe, have fun and help us get around.The book will show readers age 7+ the importance of animal welfare. Readers will find out how owners and handlers care for the safety and wellbeing of our animal helpers. Well show how animals can help us physically but are also beneficial for our mental health. Well also show how we can support animals in return.

Brilliant . . . a detailed and disturbing portrait (The New York Times Book Review, Editors Choice) of Saudi Arabias secretive and mercurial ruler, a key player in Trumps vision for the Middle EastRevelatory . . . a vivid portrait of how MBS has altered the kingdom.The Washington PostFinalist for the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Kirkus ReviewsMBS is the untold story of how a mysterious young prince emerged from Saudi Arabias sprawling royal family to overhaul the economy and society of the richest country in the Middle Eastand gather as much power as possible into his own hands. Since his father, King Salman, ascended to the throne in 2015, Mohammed bin Salman has leveraged his influence to restructure the kingdoms economy, loosen its strict Islamic social codes, and confront its enemies around the region, especially Iran. That vision won him fans at home and on Wall Street, in Silicon Valley, in Hollywood, and at the White House, where President Trump embraced the prince. But over time, the sheen of the visionary young reformer has become tarnished, leaving many struggling to determine whether MBS is in fact a rising dictator whose inexperience and rash decisions are destabilizing the worlds most volatile region.Based on years of reporting and hundreds of interviews, MBS reveals the machinations behind the kingdoms catastrophic military intervention in Yemen, the bizarre detention of princes and businessmen in the Riyadh Ritz-Carlton, and the shifting Saudi relationships with Israel and the United States. And finally, it sheds new light on the greatest scandal of the young autocrats rise: the brutal killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul, a crime that shook Saudi Arabias relationship with Washington and left the world wondering whether MBS could get away with murder.MBS is a riveting, eye-opening account of how the young prince has wielded vast powers to reshape his kingdom and the world around him.

A Financial Times Book Best Book of the Year 2020A Foreign Affairs Best Book of the Year 2020 The gripping, untold story of how Saudi Arabias secretive and mercurial new ruler rose to power. Even in his youth as a prince among thousands of princes, Mohammed bin Salman nurtured sweeping ambitions. He wanted power enough of it to reshape his hyper-conservative, insular Islamic kingdom. When his elderly father took the throne in 2015, MBS got his chance. As the hands-on-ruler, he made seismic changes, working doggedly to overhaul the kingdoms economy, loosen its strict Islamic social codes and confront nearby enemies, especially Iran. His vision initially won fans at home and abroad as he convinced other nations that the moment had come to bet big on Saudi Arabia. Over time, however, the sheen of the visionary young reformer has tarnished, leaving many wondering whether MBS is actually an aspiring dictator whose lack of experience and rash decisions are destabilizing the worlds most volatile region. Based on years of reporting and hundreds of covert interviews, MBS provides new insights into Saudi Arabias catastrophic military intervention in Yemen, the bizarre detention of the Lebanese prime minister, the surprise arrest of hundreds of princes and businessmen, and the greatest scandal of the young princes rise: the brutal murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi state officials with links to MBS a crime that shocked the world. A riveting portrait of a determined autocrat on the rise, MBS asks how one mans actions and obsessions are shaking the Middle East.