National Geographic Mysteries of History

What was the purpose of Stonehenge? Did Marco Polo ever reach China? What happened to America’s "lost colony"? Was King George III really mad? Was the Hindenburg sabotaged? Who killed JFK? This intriguing book presents a collection of mysteries—from ancient times to the present—that have stumped historians and fostered ongoing debate. Colorful illustrations and engaging text encourage readers to become detectives as they examine the latest scholarly evidence, try to separate fact from fiction, and draw their own conclusions. Time lines, maps, Web sites, and suggested reading provide further details and help put these mysteries into broader historical context. The book’s wide range of mysteries reinforces topics covered in school, while the innovative format fosters critical thinking and offers kids an enticing introduction to world history.

The past holds many secrets. We don't know whether the Chinese beat Columbus to America or why the pharaohs built the pyramids of Egypt. How much truth is there to the whole King Arthur legend? Did the Greeks really build the legendary Trojan horse? Why did the Hindenburg explode? The thoroughly engrossing, heavily illustrated, 192-page Mysteries of History, written by historian Robert Stewart, Ph.D., with Clint Twist and Edward Horton, examines several historical mysteries that span almost 5,000 years. Declassified top secret documents provide insights about whether the attack on Pearl Harbor was really a surprise. A lock of Napoleon's hair offers clues about whether or not he was murdered. Each section of the book is devoted to a lingering historical question. For example, the 10-page section "Did Rome Really Fall?" is full of wonderful photographs of artwork and of Rome, a map of the Roman Empire, a timeline of both the Roman Empire and the world, and various quotations from historical sources. Stewart writes, "What historians now think is that, rather than asking why the Roman Empire fell, it is more fascinating to speculate on why so much managed to survive." A perfect launching point for further investigative work--and who knows?--maybe more of these mysteries will be solved in the future by readers of this book. (Ages 10 and older)