"In American trailblazers meet a diverse group of 50 modern and historical people who achieved incredible feats in science, civil rights, sports, music, art, and more."--

Best known for his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien was born in British-occupied South Africa. His early life was full of action and adventure. Tolkien spent his childhood roaming the British countryside with his family and could read and write by age four. He was naturally gifted with languages and used this skill as a signals officers in World War II as well as in his fantasy writing. By creating alternate universes...

These insightful biographies highlight men and women who have struggled to overcome adversity to accomplish their goals. Along the way, these inspiring people have blazed a trail through history. Anyone who has seen The Sound of Music knows how Maria von Trapp's life began--but what happened after the final scene? Discover what Maria's life was like after fleeing Nazi-occupied Austria for America. With intriguing facts about her life in the nunnery,...

Most students of the Old West and American law enforcement history know the story of the notorious and ruthless Pinkerton Detective Agency and the legends behind their role in establishing the Secret Service and tangling with Old West Outlaws. But the true story of Kate Warne, an operative of the Pinkerton Agency and the first woman detective in America--and the stories of the other women who served their country as part of the storied crew of crime...

Describes the conquest of Peru by Francisco Pizarro and the subsequent effects of Spanish rule upon the existing Indian culture.

"Stephen Curry is arguably one of the greatest shooters in the history of the NBA. He was an essential part of the Golden State Warriors rise to greatness in the 2010s, returning the team to the NBA Finals and helping to lead them to their first championships in forty years. After leading little known Davidson College to back-to-back NCAA tournament Regional Finals in his sophomore and junior years, Curry entered the 2009 NBA Draft as a top prospect...

"How do you pick hockey's GOATs? Wayne Gretzky and Hayley Wickenheiser get a lot of praise. But is Dominik Hašek the greatest goalie? And what about the constant Stanley Cup winners the Montreal Canadiens? It comes down to stats, history, and hunches. Read more about some of the legends of hockey and see if you agree that they're the greatest of all time"--Provided by publisher.