Full AspenCat Catalog

The Anthropocene is the current geological age, in which human activity has profoundly shaped the planet and its biodiversity. In this remarkable symphony of essays adapted and expanded from his groundbreaking podcast, John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet-from the QWERTY keyboard and Staphylococcus aureus to the Taco Bell breakfast menu-on a five-star scale. John Green's gift for storytelling shines throughout this artfully...

"What's it like to be the first to enter an Egyptian burial chamber that's been sealed for thousands of years? What horrifying secret was found among the prehistoric ruins of the American Southwest? Who really was the infamous Monster of Florence? Douglas Preston's journalistic explorations have taken him from the haunted country of Italy to the jungles of Honduras. He was granted exclusive journalistic access to the largest tomb in Egypt's Valley...

This book introduces the reader to a wealth of extraordinary life forms. From the top of Mt. Everest to 10,000 feet under the sea, fascinating animals are everywhere. A basilisk that can run on water, an octopus that can mimic other animals, a fish that defends itself with slime and ties itself in a knot to wipe the slime away ... plus dozens more!

Be inspired by the inventiveness, beauty and diversity of the United States in this colorful collection of fact-filled maps. Explore thousands of locations and be awed by the achievements of hundreds of people who helped make America what it is today.

"The millions of people around the world who loved What If? still have questions, and those questions are getting stranger. Thank goodness xkcd creator Randall Munroe is here to help. Planning to ride a fire pole from the Moon back to Earth? The hardest part is sticking the landing. Hoping to cool the atmosphere by opening everyone's freezer door at the same time? Maybe it's time for a brief introduction to thermodynamics. Want to know what would...

The recipes for all kinds of foods from each of the fifty states reflect the many different people and their histories as well as the climate and geography of the country.

"Covering all the major body systems--integumentary (skin, hair, etc.), skeletal, muscular, nervous, sensory, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive, and, for good measure, this answer book adds chapters on growth and development and how science can help and augment the body. It follows the fascinating maze of organ systems and shows how much the body does routinely just to let you move, breathe, eat,...

Presents stories of significant events and people in American history, patriotic songs, and American folk tales and poems.

"Can you spot the difference between an ostrich and an emu, and a leopard and an ocelot? You can! Then take on this brain-busting nature challenge with more than 60 topics from across the animal world"--Publisher's description.

George Washington's ghost pulls a girl out of her school White House tour and takes her on a personal tour of the building, introducing her to the ghosts of previous presidents and to the history of the White House and of the United States.