A biography of Cortés, dividing his life into the segments of scholar, adventurer, settler, captain, invader, guest, conqueror, and veteran.

A biography of the third President of the United States whose many achievements include the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

An illustrated biography of the Islamic religious leader who became the chief political figure in Iran after the overthrow of the shah in 1979.

Learn about the ruthless leader and the nation he helped build.

The transformation of Rome from a republic into an empire was one of the most pivotal changes of its era, affecting the course of history for the Mediterranean world. Born at the time of civil and political unrest that embroiled Rome leading up to and surrounding the death of Julius Caesar, the man born Gaius Octavius, or Octavian, was Caesar's great-nephew. This book relates how, through political maneuvering and military prowess, he would become...

Cleopatra is renowned as one of the most famous female leaders in all of history, but often her importance as the Macedonian dynasty's last queen is obscured by her reputation for a lavish life and her tumultuous, high-profile romances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Countless books, movies, plays, and operas have highlighted the drama and downplayed her keen political acumen and dedication to increasing Egypt's power. Cleopatra, who began ruling...

The legacy of ancient Egypt has captivated historians, archaeologists, and the public at large for centuries. This includes the physical relics left behind, primary sources that serve as a window into the lives of the long-gone Egyptians, especially the pharaohs, kings elevated to the status of gods. Among the more intriguing pharaohs was Hatshepsut, perhaps the most powerful woman who led a nation up to that time. The story of how she possibly ruled...