The ancient Greeks were indeed a smart lot! Their cities were planned only after carefully studying the seasons. This helped them utilize natural energy resources like the sun and the wind. Discover the many wonderful secrets of this great civilization with Teri, the traveller, as she finds herself transported to ancient Greece.

Did you know that the Mesopotamians were the ones who came up with the idea of using wind energy to travel from one place to another? Or, that they were the first to build a network of canals to irrigate their fields? Journey across ancient Mesopotamia, as King Hammurabi guides little Teri through the paths of history, to learn many such interesting facts.

A culture that has been around for 4,000 years, as Chinese culture has, obviously has a rich history. Ancient Chinese culture planted the seeds for modern China. This thought-provoking resource offers readers a glimpse into the major ages of China and their prominent contributions to history. Illuminating text details the influence of the Yellow River, the Shang (Bronze Age) ornamentation, the Great Wall from the Qin (Imperial Age), and silk use and the Silk Road of the Han. This insightful volume goes on to elucidate other cultural contributions, such as art, dance, drama, literature, and pottery.

It may be hard to wrap one’s head around how such a thriving people as the ancient Mesopotamians could fall. This volume offers readers a detailed overview of how this complex and intriguing people declined from their previous prosperity. Readers will journey through the ebb and flow of the civilization, taking in information about the various factors that ultimately worked against them. The text explains the natural causes, such as drought, the structural issues, and invasions that led to the downfall of a civilization that nevertheless offers a lasting legacy.

Enviro-challenge is an invaluable companion for budding and seasoned “green†quizzers. Divided into two sections, Multiple-Choice and Short Questions, the book contains over 500 selected questions on diverse topics, such as Agriculture, Air, Biodiversity, Energy, Fuel and Transport, Personalities, Policies, Waste, Water, and many more. An asset for both students and teachers, Enviro-challenge will also satisfy the curiosity of anyone who is keen on learning about anything “green†.

A comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society throughout history, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel–driven civilization. "I wait for new Smil books the way some people wait for the next 'Star Wars' movie. In his latest book, Energy and Civilization: A History, he goes deep and broad to explain how innovations in humans' ability to turn energy into heat, light, and motion have been a driving force behind our cultural and economic progress over the past 10,000 years. —Bill Gates, Gates Notes, Best Books of the Year Energy is the only universal currency; it is necessary for getting anything done. The conversion of energy on Earth ranges from terra-forming forces of plate tectonics to cumulative erosive effects of raindrops. Life on Earth depends on the photosynthetic conversion of solar energy into plant biomass. Humans have come to rely on many more energy flows—ranging from fossil fuels to photovoltaic generation of electricity—for their civilized existence. In this monumental history, Vaclav Smil provides a comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel–driven civilization. Humans are the only species that can systematically harness energies outside their bodies, using the power of their intellect and an enormous variety of artifacts—from the simplest tools to internal combustion engines and nuclear reactors. The epochal transition to fossil fuels affected everything: agriculture, industry, transportation, weapons, communication, economics, urbanization, quality of life, politics, and the environment. Smil describes humanity's energy eras in panoramic and interdisciplinary fashion, offering readers a magisterial overview. This book is an extensively updated and expanded version of Smil's Energy in World History (1994). Smil has incorporated an enormous amount of new material, reflecting the dramatic developments in energy studies over the last two decades and his own research over that time.

Explore the green customs of ancient civilizations, reflected in different aspects of their life. Nonfiction text is paired with graphic novel style fiction insets--perfect for reluctant readers