Where would humanity be now without fire, vaccinations, farming ... or wine? A great idea is one that has changed the path of human civilisation. But which is the greatest of them all? John Farndon, author of the bestselling Do You Think You're Clever?, has set out to find the answer. A distinguished panel of experts agreed on a list of 50 ideas, and each chapter of The World's Greatest Idea sees Farndon explore the argument for a different one. The...

The respiratory, circulatory, and immune systems are explained through . . . colorful illustrations and an engaging question-and-answer format"--Amazon.

"Using clever examples, vivid imagery, and clear diagrams, this fun guidebook to muscles and bones will keep readers engaged while teaching them all about how their bodies hold together, move, and grow stronger."--

Invisible microbes cause sickness by invading our bodies. But doctors didn't always know that sickness was caused by germs. Most people thought diseases came from smelly, damp air. Learn all about the discoveries that helped doctors defeat bacteria!

Doctors of the past might weren't like doctors you see today! Many of their remedies were weird, disgusting, or dangerous. But others paved the way for modern medicines. Learn more about the history of doctors!

Are you ready to take off with the world's fastest supersonic aircraft? Strap yourself in for a trip in the MiG-25 Foxbat interceptor and clock up to 2,100 mph (3,380 kmh/h)! Soar in the NAA X-15 rocket plane, which set a record of 4,520 mph (7,274 km/h) in 1967! Hop into the world's fastest jet, the NASA Hyper X-43 scramjet, but hang on it has the potential to go 7,000 mph (11,265 km/h)! Detailed illustrations put you in the cockpits of these mighty,...

Earthquakes can destroy entire cities in mere minutes and send shock waves rippling around the world. These devastating quakes become even more deadly when followed by monster waves. Tsunamis may travel faster than a jet across thousands of miles of ocean. Once they reach the coast, these huge walls of water can wash away everything in their path in one fatal whoosh. No place on Earth is entirely safe from earthquakes. But the technology to detect...

How do planes stay in the air? What is vertical takeoff? How does a pilot control altitude in a hot-air balloon? Join the Stickmen to find out how mechanisms work. Get an insider's view of these airborne wonders!

Motorcycles are made for speed but some get there louder and faster than others! You'll need your toughest gear to ride the turbo-charged MTT Turbine Superbike Y2K perhaps the most powerful (and expensive) road bike ever. Blow past speeds of 200 mph (320 km/h) with the Kawasaki Ninja of the Night. Ride the world's fastest production motorcycle, the Suzuki Hayabusa, and hit 188 to 194 mph (303 to 312 km/h). Hang on tight as detailed illustrations take...

This book explains how the Universe is made up, from stars and their systems to galaxies and globular clusters.