Come explore the dark side! Every day, we find ourselves in the dark - exploring the universe, the animal kingdom, and even ourselves. This reader examines how human and animal life depends on darkness....

Is a tomato actually red? Should you wear white on your wedding day in China? Explore how we see colors, how colors make us feel, and what colors mean in our cultures and celebrations....

From Captian Sullenberger to Spiderman - ordinary people doing extrodinary things. What makes a hero? This reader explores the qualities of a hero both in real life and in pop culture....

It looks simple, but nothing has changed the way we live more than the wheel. Could it be our greatest invention?...

What things do you want to do before you die? How can you make sure your life is never boring? Create a \"bucket list\"! This reader explores the most exciting, unusual, and sometimes crazy ways to build this list....

From Egyptian pyramids to Mayan temples, from Roman statues to the English language, our world\'s greatest empires still influence us today. This reader examines the history and legacy of several of the most influential empires....