Lewis Helfand Books

The book explores the groundbreaking discovery of DNA's structure by James Watson and Francis Crick, highlighting their journey and the scientific efforts that preceded their achievement. It delves into the challenges they faced and the significance of their work, which culminated in the creation of the iconic double-helix model. This pivotal moment in biology not only earned them the Nobel Prize in 1962 but also marked a transformative point in understanding the essence of life itself.

Explore the lives of three of history's greatest inventors—Bell, Edison, and Tesla—as they navigate excitement, rivalry, and intrigue in their quest to transform the world.

Abraham Lincoln's journey from a humble upbringing in a log cabin to becoming a pivotal leader in American history is explored in this biography. Orphaned at a young age and facing a challenging relationship with his father, Lincoln's passion for learning was fostered by his stepmother. Despite limited formal education, he became a voracious reader and eventually practiced law. His political career culminated in his presidency during the Civil War, where he is celebrated for abolishing slavery before his tragic assassination in 1865.

The narrative explores Nelson Mandela's early aspirations for freedom and self-determination while growing up in a small South African village. It highlights the stark realities he faced as a black man in a society where such basic dreams were unattainable, setting the stage for his later struggles against apartheid and his quest for justice and equality.

Tenzing Norgay was the son of poor Tibetan immigrants living in Nepal. He longed to see the world but was told he could aspire to be little more than a servant. Edmund Hillary was a humble beekeeper from New Zealand, who spent his youth dreaming of adventures he could never hope to experience. And Everest was the ultimate adventure. The mountain's peak is the highest point on Earth, stretching beyond the clouds. So dangerous and challenging, Everest had never been successfully climbed and many had died trying. In 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary joined a team of explorers determined to reach its top. Alone at the top of the world with their oxygen running low, they faced brutal elements and new dangers at every turn. And they were armed with little more than their courage, determination, and a belief in each other. But would that be enough to achieve the impossible, what no man had done before?

While we all know that large-scale industrialization began in the eighteenth century, the Industrial Revolution truly began in Germany with Johannes Gutenberg and his printing press. His innovation made it possible to mass-produce books, which spread literacy and knowledge all across Europe. It was in the eighteenth century, however, that manual labor started being replaced by what we today know as machines. First in Europe came Thomas Newcomen and James Watt and the steam engine. Then came John Kay and his flying shuttle, which led to the development of the textile industry. Then, in the United States, there was Robert Fulton and his steamboat, and Eli Whitney and his cotton gin. Finally, it was Henry Ford whose mass-produced vehicles made cars affordable to all. The Industrial Revolution continues to this day as formerly less developed countries, especially in Asia, have taken to rapid industrialization to improve their economy. Lexile Reading Level 800L.

With a deadly drug about to flood the streets of New York City, Interpol agent Praveer Rajani believes that the only way to prevent countless deaths lies in a handful of mysterious photographs.