"Volume 6" adds 10 new profiles that include: Robert S. Abbott Ella Jo Baker Clive O. Callender Ruby Dee Joyce Dixson Father Divine T. Thomas Fortune Josh Gibson Elijah McCoy Nina Simone

This informative reference series is designed to help students understand the impact that science has had on the course of human history. Each set (the 18th and 20th century sets will come out in 2001 and 2002) focuses on a particular time period and consists of five topically arranged chapters covering life sciences, mathematics, medicine, physical sciences and technology. Chapters include a topic-specific chronology; a brief overview essay; 10-12 essays on the theories, inventions and major concepts discovered during the period; 10-12 biographies of pioneering scientists; lists of additional resources; and more. Additional features include approximately 60 black-and-white illustrations per volume, sidebars highlighting words to know and activity ideas, and general and subject indexes.

"Middle Ages: Almanac" includes 19 chapters arranged by geographic location and dedicated to a different civilization, their origins, conflicts and struggles for power in the Middle Ages. From the Arab and Muslim worlds to the European Crusades, "Middle Ages: Almanac" presents the phases of history that defined the era. Each chapter begins with a map displaying the geographic location of the civilization followed by a description of its origins, history and importance. Also included are sidebars containing lists of unfamiliar words and suggestions for classroom activities as well as 100 photographs and illustrations, sidebars, timeline, glossary, and a subject index.

"Middle Ages: Primary Sources" contains excerpts from speeches, journal entries, poems, letters and many other documents relating to the era that encompass both key documents and those sources that are equally as important, but less known. Each of the 19 entries contains an introduction that provides context, highlights central ideas and gives brief biographical information on related individuals. Sources for further information are also noted as well as full document citations. "Middle Ages: Primary Sources" features excerpts and full-text writings of the era from all over the world and includes: "Beowulf" "Song of Roland" Domesday book of Norman England Writings on alchemy, medicine and other sciences "Secret History" "Chronographia" "Koran" "Thousand and One Nights" "The Description of the World" Letter from Pope Gregory VII to King Henry IV Letter from a Crusader to his wife Magna Carta And many others

Also included are 100 photographs and illustrations, sidebars, timeline, glossary, and a subject index.

"African American Biography" profiles more than 300 notable African Americans from all walks of life and provides a convenient alphabetical arrangement, subheads for easy scanning and portraits of each individual profiled. "Volume 5"includes 21 new entries and 19 updates from the first 4 volumes.