Who really discovered America? What was "the shot heard 'round the world"? Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: Did he or didn't he? From the arrival of Columbus through the bizarre election of 2000 and beyond, Davis carries readers on a rollicking ride through more than 500 years of American history. In this updated edition of the classic anti-textbook, he debunks, recounts, and serves up the real story behind the myths and fallacies of American history.

Don't Know Much About History: Everything You Need to Know About American History but Never Learned

History

Davis, Kenneth C.

Americas

Harpercollins

From the ancients who charted the stars, to Jules Verne and Flash Gordon, to The X-Files, Apollo 13, and Armageddon, subjects engaging the heavens and outer space have intrigued people through the ages. And yet so many of us look up at the night sky and have to admit that we are totally in the dark when it comes to the most basic facts about the heavens.
Into the void steps Kenneth C. Davis with the latest addition to his bestselling and critically acclaimed DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT® series. Don't Know Much About® the Universe is a lively and readable guide to the discoveries, theories, and real people that have shaped space exploration, from the beginning of civilization to the present. Using the now-familiar and popular question-and-answer format that has appealed to millions of readers, Davis sets his sights on a subject that has inspired the greatest of fascinations, produced many popular misconceptions, and ultimately helped shape the course of history.
From a historical overview of man's preoccupation with space to a guided tour of our solar system and beyond, Kenneth Davis seeks, as always, to entertain as he teaches. He looks at issues that go beyond the bounds of simple "Science 101" and asks the kinds of questions we may have wanted to ask back in school but didn't have the nerve.
For example:
Who dug those canals on Mars? Is a "blue moon" really blue? What does astronomy have to do with astrology? Will we end with a bang or a whimper?

Don't Know Much About The Universe: Everything You Need to Know About the Cosmos but Never Learned

Humor & Entertainment

Puzzles & Games

Harper

The latest installment in the New York Times bestselling Don't Know Much About® series -- a magical journey into the timeless world of mythology
It has been fifteen years since Kenneth C. Davis first dazzled audiences with his instant classic Don't Know Much About® History, vividly bringing the past to life and proving that Americans don't hate history, they just hate the dull, textbook version they were fed in school. With humor, wit, and a knack for storytelling, Davis has been bringing readers of all ages up to speed on history, geography, and science ever since. Now, in the classic traditions of Edith Hamilton and Joseph Campbell, he turns his talents to the world of myth.
Where do we come from? Why do stars shine and the seasons change? What is evil? Since the beginning of time, people have answered such questions by crafting imaginative stories that have served as religion, science, philosophy, and popular literature. In his irreverent and popular question-and-answer style, Davis introduces and explains the great myths of the world, as well as the works of literature that have made them famous. In a single volume, he tackles Mesopotamia's Gilgamesh, the first hero in world mythology; Achilles and the Trojan War; Stonehenge and the Druids; Thor, the Nordic god of thunder; Chinese oracle bones; the use of peyote in ancient Native American rites; and the dramatic life and times of the man who would be Buddha.
Ever familiar and instructive, Davis shows why the ancient tales of gods and heroes -- from Mount Olympus to Machu Picchu, from ancient Rome to the icy land of the Norse -- continue to speak to us today, in our movies, art, language, and music. For mythology novices and buffs alike, and for anyone who loves a good story, Don't Know Much About® Mythology is a lively and insightful look into the greatest stories ever told.

Don't Know Much About Mythology: Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Stories in Human History but Never Learned

Ancient Civilizations

<ul>
<li>Do sleeping volcanoes snore? (see page 12)</li>
<li>Is the Dead Sea dead? (see page 21)</li>
<li>How icy is Iceland? (see page 78)</li>
</ul>
Join best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis on an entertaining trek across the globe as he answers some big questions about the world in the amusing style that has won millions of readers.
With fascinating anecdotes about the world's most unusual places and notable quotes from world travelers throughout history, Davis leads you to the longest river, coldest desert, tallest waterfall, most powerful volcanic eruption, and much more. Humorous illustrations and amazing stories make the "boring" facts of geography come to life as you read about Marco Polo's adventures in China and discover that people in Latin America speak Spanish and Portuguese -- not Latin at all!
Kenneth C. Davis brings the verve of his popular best-seller Don't Know Much About® Geography to a new audience. He makes it fun to learn more about this incredible planet we call home.

Don't Know Much About Planet Earth

Children's Books

Education & Reference

Do sleeping volcanoes snore? (see page 12) Is the Dead Sea dead? (see page 21) How icy is Iceland? (see page 78) Join best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis on an entertaining trek across the globe as he answers some big questions about the world in the amusing style that has won millions of readers. With fascinating anecdotes about the world's most unusual places and notable quotes from world travelers throughout history, Davis leads you to the longest river, coldest desert, tallest waterfall, most powerful volcanic eruption, and much more. Humorous illustrations and amazing stories make the "boring" facts of geography come to life as you read about Marco Polo's adventures in China and discover that people in Latin America speak Spanish and Portuguese -- not Latin at all! Kenneth C. Davis brings the verve of his popular best-seller Don't Know Much About? Geography to a new audience. He makes it fun to learn more about this incredible planet we call home.

Biographies & Memoirs

Bloom, Tom

Leaders & Notable People

Don't Know Much about Space

Don't Know Much About Space

If Earth is round, why don't people on the other side of the world fall off? (see page 26) Is Mars red because it's embarrassed? (see page 49) If black holes are invisible, how do we know they're there? (see page 86) Using the popular style that has won millions of readers, best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis blasts off for the stars! With an entertaining question-and-answer format, amusing anecdotes, and fact-filled sidebars, he sets his sights on the mysteries of space. Humorous illustrations, along with NASA photographs, add fun and excitement to this fascinating and comprehensive book. Davis takes you back to the time when the Babylonians first charted the stars -- over three thousand years ago! You'll uncover amazing facts about the planets and stars, read how people were once convinced that Earth was the center of the universe, and discover how the experience of moonwalking astronauts may someday lead us to become pioneers on other planets. This book is the perfect companion to Don't Know Much About? The Universe -- and all the other books in the New York Times best-selling Don't Know Much About? series.

Science, Nature & How It Works

Don't Know Much About American History

Was Columbus the first European in the Americas?
Who was left standing at Custer's Last Stand? 
Were the Little Rock Nine a rock-and-roll band? 
It's true that in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. But he didn't discover the New World. In fact, the new world we now call America wasn't very new at all. People had been coming to this land for thousands of years. And they haven't stopped yet.
But most of us never learned the real story of America's past. And that's a shame. As best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis knows, history can be fun, fascinating, and memorable. When his don't know much about® history was published in 1990, it was a sensation. The book delivered a fresh new take on history with its wit, humor, and great stories. 
Davis now does for young people what his earlier book did for adults. In his trademark question-and-answer style peppered with fun facts and humorous illustrations, Davis proves that history is never boring. He introduces our ancestors who settled the East and expanded the West, as well as those who had been living here all along. Davis brings the drama and excitement of America's past and present vividly to life.

Collins

<ul>
<li>Why did the Mesopotamian hero Gilgamesh search for eternal youth? (see page 21)</li> <li>What is the Chinese recipe for creating the universe? (see page 67)</li> <li>How did the Blackfoot maiden Feather Woman turn the world upside down? (see page 122)</li> </ul>
Whether it's the adventures of Greek gods and goddesses or Norse trickster tales, we all love to hear a good story. Best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis gives readers a taste of these enchanting myths and the diverse people who tell them. In his trademark question-and-answer style peppered with entertaining sidebars and quotes, he also shows how almost every civilization's mythology shares common themes. Some stories celebrate the creation of the earth and the arrival of the first humans; others mourn a massive flood of destruction. Our wide world is linked together by the stories we tell. A wealth of photographs and art reproductions, along with clever black-and-white illustrations by Sergio Ruzzier, helps convey the vitality of these amazing myths.

Don't Know Much About World Myths

Literature & Fiction

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Davis, Kenneth C.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Davis, Kenneth C.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Davis, Kenneth C.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Don't Know Much About History: Everything You Need to Know About American History but Never Learned

Don't Know Much About The Universe: Everything You Need to Know About the Cosmos but Never Learned

Don't Know Much About Mythology: Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Stories in Human History but Never Learned

Don't Know Much About Planet Earth

Don't Know Much About Planet Earth

Don't Know Much About Space

Don't Know Much about Space

Don't Know Much About American History

Don't Know Much About American History

Don't Know Much About World Myths