Here is the little-known history of Otto Lilienthal, a daring man whose more than 2,000 successful flights inspired the Wright Brothers and other aviation pioneers to come. In 1862, balloons were the only way to reach the sky. But 14-year-old Otto Lilienthal didn't want to fly in balloons. He wanted to soar like a bird. Scientists, teachers, and news reporters everywhere said flying was impossible. Otto and his brother Gustav desperately wanted to prove them wrong, so they made their own wings and tried to take flight. The brothers quickly crashed, but this was just the beginning for Otto, who would spend the next 30 years of his life sketching, re-sketching, and building gliders. Over time, Otto's flights got longer. His control got better. He learned the tricks and twists of the wind. His flights even began to draw crowds. By the time of his death at age 48, Otto had made more than 2,000 successful glider flights. He was the first person in history to spend this much time in the air, earning the title of the world's first pilot and paving the way for future aviation pioneers.

A young acrobat shows his friends around the big top, but all is not as it seems. His uncle, the strongman, always manages to lose their wrestling matches. The scary-looking tattooed man is a regular Joe who likes to pull funny practical jokes. And the daring trapeze artists make their son do homework just like everyday parents Lively watercolors capture the excitement of the circus and the coziness of home.

This title introduces fans to the STEM concepts in the Super Bowl, exploring how science, technology, engineering, and math are all at play in this exciting event. The title features informative sidebars and infographics, exciting photos, a glossary, and an index. SportsZone is an imprint of Abdo Publishing Company.

Bobo's Raid 1928 England Count Reginald Bobrowski, dazed and bloody, sits down heavily. The speed record beast he was driving steams and groans, broken on the beach after the drive chain snapped nearly decapitating him. Bobrowski, son of a wealthy Polish Count and an American heiress, lives in England with his wife Alexandra. Her pet name for the Count is Bobo, much to his dismay. Bobo dabbles in racing cars and managing his mother's business interests. On a lark he and his friend Clive Parry-Jones take their wives on a journey to the sands of the Sahara. After returning from the nearly disastrous trip Reggie meets a sinister Mr. S, head of a secret government department in London. S orders Reggie to go back to the Sahara to spy on a German expedition London thinks is seeking oil for their future war effort. Reggie and Clive modify a Citroen Kegresse half-track ambulance into a lightly armored desert traveler to cross the treacherous Sahara sands. They load the Citroen aboard a cargo ship and endure a harrowing sea voyage to Algeria. At their base in Ouargla, they find more intrigue. S has sent a cunning, brutally deceptive female agent to control Reggie's every move. Reggie and Clive try to puzzle who is after what. The Germans roam the desert leaving death and angry Berbers in their wake. S's agent has an agenda of her own, and Bobrowski is caught in the crosshairs of both factions. Is Reggie just a rich lay-a-about fop or can he and his friend Clive get the job done? Join them on a gritty tale of murder and deceit across the desert as the Count dodges death to seek the truth.

Jack Novac, Indy 500 winner, plans a new assault for the 1934 Championship with his two fabulous Miller front drive race cars. Then the rules change and his Millers are not eligible. When a retired army general offers to sponsor Jack on a barnstorming tour of Europe, Jack is unwillingly drawn into the intrigues brewing in pre-war Europe. The General sees Jack's show as a perfect cover for gaining access to manufacturing plants in Italy and Germany. Jack breaks Europe's speed records, drawing record crowds. But murder and espionage seem to follow him around and everyone but Jack seems to think he's a spy. When a high-ranking Nazi official's wife disappears, Jack becomes his target for revenge. Jack thrills the crowds while racing to stay one step ahead of dying.

A skeletal arm protruding from the rubble of a seventy-year old building jump starts a case for LAPD detective Van Taylor. A bullet hole in the skull of the remains puts Van's retirement plans on hold. Under the skeleton is a weathered wooden box. A brass plaque on the box bears the name Artimus Design. Van and his wife, Kathy, both avid vintage auto-racing fans, recognize the Artimus name as a famous racecar manufacturer. Van eagerly delves into the investigation unaware of the dangerous path he and Kathy will face. As Van explores the fascinating world of early American racing he finds that Artimus, the genius behind the fastest racing cars of the 1920s and 30s, was duped into designing a radical racing car and creating a box with a secret that could help the German war effort. When he is brutally attacked by a drug-crazed gang, he realizes there is more to the mystery than he thought. The investigation leads Van to present day murder, greed, and betrayal. When his wife is kidnapped and held hostage in exchange for the box, Van is pushed to the limit. Buckle your seat belt as Van races to save his wife and solve the seventy-year old mystery.

After displaying his talent beating the best of the Ferrari Alfas at Monza, Mercedes wants him to test for them. Jack drives the fabulous W25 Grand Prix car at the Nurburgring. He runs the car hard, never putting a wheel wrong. Mercedes team manager, Neubauer, impressed by Jack's speed and car control, notes that Novac makes going fast look easy. While in Stuttgart visiting the Mercedes factory, Jack meets Maddy Rosen, a sports journalist. She soon captivates Jack's very soul. Novac begins to question his self-centered, nothing else matters, win at any cost way of life. Hitler's policies eat into his consciousness. His mentor is murdered in The Night of the Long Knives massacre. The Mercedes drive is the greatest prize he has ever sought. He must have it whatever the cost. The French Grand Prix is Jack's debut as a Mercedes driver. Novac arrives to find the Gestapo waiting to arrest him. The fanatical Nazi, Count Von Steuben, wants Novac dead. Bill Robbins springs Jack from the Prinz Albert Strasse torture chamber. Now Jack annd Maddy must run for their lives. They race across Europe trying to stay one step ahead of the mad man. In the middle of the Atlantic on Cunard's ship, the Magic Stick, it all comes down to a fierce last man standing duel.

Travel back in time to find out what life was like before video games. Historical photographs, helpful infographics, and a "Blast from the Past" special feature provide readers an engaging overview of games and activities people enjoyed before video games were invented.

Travel back in time to find out what life was like before video games. Historical photographs, helpful infographics, and a "Blast from the Past" special feature provide readers an engaging overview of games and activities people enjoyed before video games were invented.

Gluten is found in wheat and some other grains. It's in foods people eat every day. Many people can eat it without problems. Others have a disease that makes gluten damage their bodies. Your Body on Gluten uncovers the nutritional benefits of foods containing gluten, how gluten interacts with the body, and how to include it as part of a balanced diet. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.