Michael Burgan

In 2008, John McCain ran for president against Barack Obama, becoming a well-known national figure. But his presidential campaign was only one of the many inspirational things John accomplished in his lifetime....

This collection of biographies details the cruel and often horrifying lives of history's most notorious—and deadly—people....

By February 1945, the United States had been fighting World War II for more than three years. Soldiers were worn down from battle, and civilians were drained by sacrifice....

No one knew his name. But soon millions would know about his bravery. For almost two months in spring 1989, Beijing’s Tiananmen Square had been the site of growing protests against China's hardline communist government....

The mighty Soviets were the favorites to win hockey gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics. But a team of US college players had other ideas. The stunning upset of the Soviet hockey team by the young Americans has been called the greatest moment in international hockey....

It didn't seem possible. Four college students shot dead May 4, 1970, by Ohio National Guardsmen during a protest against the Vietnam War. The shootings at Kent State University would shock the nation....

Jesse Owens’ gold-medal winning feats at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin struck a mighty propaganda blow against Adolf Hitler. The Nazi leader had planned to use the German games as a showcase of supposed Aryan superiority....

On and off the field, Jackie Robinson never backed down from a challenge. The baseball legend broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947, changing the sport forever....

Little boys, some as young as 6, spent their long days, not playing or studying, but sorting coal in dusty, loud, and dangerous conditions. Many of these breaker boys worked 10 hours a day, six days a week all for as little as 45 cents a day....

This audiobook tells the story of the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 and the subsequent fires....

The Titanic sinking is one of the most memorable tragedies in history. Find out what really happened when the doomed ship sank on April 15, 1912....

Witness the real-life debates, disagreements, and compromises that led to the formation of the US Constitution during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The perfect book for budding historians, comic book fans, and everyone in between....

London, 1716. Lord William Nithsdale has been found guilty of treason after fighting alongside the other rebels against the British crown. For his crime, he is sent to the infamous Tower of London, where he awaits his punishment: the executioner’s blade....

The influence of the Roman Empire has been widespread and profound, perhaps more so than that of any other empire or civilization....

In spring 1942, Royal Air Force Pilot Bill Ash’s plane was shot down by Germans, who captured and eventually brought him to Stalag Luft III, a notorious camp for prisoners of war....

Some of the most important changes in American culture have been driven by people born outside the United States. Immigrants may come as refugees, as workers, or as students.

A raging wildfire burns thousands of homes. A violent earthquake creates a giant tsunami that destroys countless lives. A giant tornado wipes a small town off the map.

Discover the true tales of daring people who survived through bitter cold, deadly storms, and other dangers with little food or other resources in this book from the Fighting to Survive series.