Tells the story of the building of the American Museum of Natural History and Hayden Planetarium, a story of history, politics, science, and exploration, including the roles of American presidents, New York power brokers, museum presidents, planetarium directors, polar and African explorers, and German rocket scientists. The American Museum of Natural History is one of New York City's most beloved institutions, and one of the largest, most celebrated museums in the world. Since 1869, generations of New Yorkers and tourists of all ages have been educated and entertained here. Located across from Central Park, the sprawling structure, spanning four city blocks, is a fascinating conglomeration of many buildings of diverse architectural styles built over a period of 150 years. The first book to tell the history of the museum from the point of view of these buildings, including the planned Gilder Center, The American Museum of Natural History and How It Got That Way contextualizes them within New York and American history and the history of science. Part II, "The Heavens in the Attic," is the first detailed history of the Hayden Planetarium, from the museum's earliest astronomy exhibits, to Clyde Fisher and the original planetarium, to Neil deGrasse Tyson and the Rose Center for Earth and Space, and it features a photographic tour through the original Hayden Planetarium. Author Colin Davey spent much of his childhood literally and figuratively lost in the museum's labyrinthine hallways. The museum grew in fits and starts according to the vicissitudes of backroom deals, personal agendas, two world wars, the Great Depression, and the Cold War. Chronicling its evolution from the selection of a desolate, rocky, hilly, swampy site, known as Manhattan Square to the present day the book includes some of the most important and colorful characters in the city's history, including the notoriously corrupt and powerful "Boss" Tweed, "Father of New York City" Andrew Haswell Green, and twentieth-century powerbroker and master builder Robert Moses; museum presidents Morris K. Jesup, Henry Fairfield Osborn, and Ellen Futter; and American presidents, polar and African explorers, dinosaur hunters, and German rocket scientists. Richly illustrated with period photos, The American Museum of Natural History and How It Got That Way is based on deep archival research and interviews.

This detailed guide includes the city of Turin and surrounding royal residences, Lake Maggiore, the Piedmontese Alps and the wine country. Landscape artist, nature lover and long-time Italy-resident Blue Guides author Paul Blanchard tours this beautiful region, cradle of the Italian nation and home of exceptional cuisine, providing fascinating details of its history, monuments and culture, with carefully researched recommendations on hotels and restaurants.

From Queen Boudicca's fight against the Romans to Nelson Mandela's struggle against apartheid, readers can walk among the statuary of the capital and bring history to life London has more than 300 monuments which are easily unnoticed but have fascinating tales to tell, and with detailed maps and stunning photos, this handbook is a great way to uncover the many tales surrounding them. Where else can visitors find a monument to an emasculated lion made from a mysterious ceramic or the figure of an 18th-century radical thinker who was hounded from his home by an angry mob? The monument to Quintin Hogg commemorates one of the country's great philanthropists who dedicated much of his life to teaching street children and was nearly murdered several times for his efforts. The less worthy figure of George IV has a much grander monument--which is not surprising as he paid for the monument himself using public funds. The good, the bad, the courageous, and the cowardly all have a permanent place on the streets of London.