As well as being famous for its fine artists and great writers, Italy is also (and consequently) closely associated with romance and passion. The birthplace of the Renaissance has been home to many amazing people. The Amazing People Club invites you to explore their lives in this fascinating title. Be swept away on a musical journey of discovery with the genial Giuseppe Verdi, who is revered as one of the greatest romantic composers of all time. Follow in the footsteps of Rosalba Carriera, who built up a solid career as a leading portraitist of her time in an occupation usually undertaken by men. Discover how Niccolo Machiavelli aspired to become such a forward thinker and philosopher, whose works are still referred to by today's journalists and society in general. Also meet Enrico Fermi, Antonio Meucci and be inspired by these Amazing Italians who contributed to the rebirth of modern history in not only Italy but also in Europe. Each story comes to life through BioViews®. These are short biographical narratives, similar to interviews. They provide an easy way of learning about amazing people who made major contributions and changed our world.

Germany is a country rich in history for many reasons, both good and bad. In this exciting title, The Amazing People Club would like to bring you face to face with some of the most influential and inspirational people of Germany. Everyone has heard of Beethoven and his masterpieces, but few know that he sought solace in music due to his sad childhood at the hands of an abusive and alcoholic father. Over 15 million people find pain relief every year using Aspirin; however Felix Hoffmann who discovered this household drug received little public recognition. Explore the turbulent life of Marie-Elisabeth Luders, who worked tirelessly for the rights of women and children in a society that criticised her for being a single mother. Also, meet Gerhard Domagk and Robert Koch and discover how these amazing people devoted their time and energy to developments and innovations that made major contributions to the country of Germany. Each story comes to life through BioViews®. These are short biographical narratives, similar to interviews. They provide an easy way of learning about amazing people who made major contributions and changed our world.

Russia is the largest country in the world and covers more than one eighth of the globe's inhabited land mass. So, it stands to reason that it has been home to many amazing people. The Amazing People Club takes you on a virtual historical journey into the lives of some of these inspirational contributors to this nation. Famous for her many lovers, Catherine the Great was also a strong leader who inspired loyalty and respect rather than fear and oppression - indeed she did not do things in a traditional manner. Orbit the earth with Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space at the age of 27. Be swept away by the composer of such masterpieces as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky, who led a somewhat troubled life despite achieving immense success. Also, meet Vasili Mitrokhin and Ivan Pavlov. Their stories are monumental and brought to life in this fascinating title. Each story comes to life through BioViews®. These are short biographical narratives, similar to interviews. They provide an easy way of learning about amazing people who made major contributions and changed our world.

Australia has developed to become a model multi-ethnic society. In this collection of life stories from The Amazing People Club, you can gain an insight into how some amazing Australians set the scene and contributed to the country we fondly refer to as Downunder. Embark on a thrilling flight of discovery with Charles Kingsford Smith. His courage, competitive spirit and daring sense of adventure led to him being regarded as one of the highest achievers in the history of aviation. Be inspired by the entrepreneurial talent of James Harrison who invented the refrigerator which has become a necessity in our homes of today. Be captivated by the tumultuous events in the life of Nellie Melba, a self-driven diva who achieved great success and became one of Australia's most celebrated sopranos of all time. Meet these and several other amazing Australians who in their own unique ways, seized opportunities that led to great successes. Each story comes to life through BioViews®. These are short biographical narratives, similar to interviews. They provide an easy way of learning about amazing people who made major contributions and changed our world.

Colonists are often defined as people who moved from a civilized country to a non-civilized country to form new communities modelled on their old country. The Amazing People Club would like to introduce you to five amazing people who embarked upon great adventurous journeys, in some cases not always voluntarily. Discover how they adapted to new worlds and cultures as they share their stories of survival and success. Be inspired by Anne Burras, the maidservant who became the first founding colonial mother of America - she is one of the most important women in the history of the USA. Follow in the footsteps of Cecil Rhodes, who despite ill health went from cotton farmer to diamond magnate and founder of the state of Rhodesia. Join Christopher Columbus, Samuel de Champlain and Susannah Holmes on their voyages to explore undiscovered worlds. Gain insights into what motivated these amazing explorers and colonists, and how they battled to form civilized communities. Be inspired by their notable achievements which have had major influences on the world as it is today. Each story comes to life through BioViews®. These are short biographical narratives, similar to interviews. They provide an easy way of learning about amazing people who made major contributions and changed our world.

The geography of our amazing world has come about through the contributions of many. The Amazing People Club invites you into the adventurous and inspirational lives of five amazing explorers, whose voyages around the earth have contributed to civilization as we know it today. Take to the skies with Amy Johnson as she explored new boundaries in aviation, setting world records along the way. Trek the wilderness lands west of the Mississippi with Meriwether Lewis on the historical Lewis and Clark Expedition which lasted 28 months. Join David Livingstone, Marco Polo and Jacques Cartier as they explored new worlds and paved the way for modern settlements. Their tenacious spirits combined with their sense of exploratory adventure have had a major impact on our modern world Each story comes to life through BioViews®. These are short biographical narratives, similar to interviews. They provide an easy way of learning about amazing people who made major contributions and changed our world.

'Jeremy Black skilfully sketches social, cultural and political trends' - Christina Hardyment, Times audiobook of the week 'A remarkable mixture of cold history, wide culture and personal experience' Ciro Paoletti, Secretary General of the Italian Commission of Military History Despite the Roman Empire's famous 500-year reign over Europe, parts of Africa and the Middle East, Italy does not have the same long national history as states such as France or England. Divided for much of its history, Italy's regions have been, at various times, parts of bigger, often antagonistic empires, notably those of Spain and Austria. In addition, its challenging and varied terrain made consolidation of political control all the more difficult. This concise history covers, in very readable fashion, the formative events in Italy's past from the rise of Rome, through a unified country in thrall to fascism in the first half of the twentieth century right up to today. The birthplace of the Renaissance and the place where the Baroque was born, Italy has always been a hotbed of culture. Within modern Italy country there is fierce regional pride in the cultures and identities that mark out Tuscany, Rome, Sicily and Venice to name just a few of Italy's many famous regions. Jeremy Black draws on the diaries, memoirs and letters of historic travellers to Italy to gain insight into the passions of its people, first chronologically then regionally. In telling Italy's story, Black examines what it is that has given Italians such cultural clout - from food and drink, music and fashion, to art and architecture - and explores the causes and effects of political events, and the divisions that still exist today.