Discovering America

Examines the history of CIA abuses of power and argues that proper relationships with the branches of government are vital to the control of intelligence.

In Being Miss America, Kate Shindle interweaves an engrossing, witty memoir of her year as Miss America 1998 with a fascinating and insightful history of the pageant. She explores what it means to take on the mantle of America's "ideal," especially considering the evolution of the American female identity since the pageant's inception. Shindle profiles winners and organization leaders and recounts important moments in the pageant's story, with a special focus on Miss America's iconoclasts, including Bess Myerson (1945), the only Jewish Miss America; Yolande Betbeze (1951), who crusaded against the pageant's pinup image; and Kaye Lani Rae Rafko (1987), a working-class woman from Michigan who wanted to merge her famous title with her work as an oncology nurse. Shindle's own account of her work as an AIDS activist--and finding ways to circumvent the "gown and crown" stereotypes of Miss America in order to talk honestly with high school students about safer sex--illuminates both the challenges and the opportunities that keep young women competing to become Miss America.

Discusses the places to visit, the events, the land and the climate, the history, and the people of the United State's territories and possessions.

Discusses the geographical, historical, and cultural aspects of Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, using maps, illustrated fact spreads, and other illustrated material to highlight the land, history, and people of each state.

Discusses the geographical, historical, and cultural aspects of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Includes maps, illustrated fact spreads, and other relevant material.

Looks at the states of Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, focusing on places to visit, events, the land and the climate, history, education, and the people who live there.

Discusses the geographical, historical, and cultural aspects of California and Hawaii. Includes maps, illustrated fact spreads, and other relevant material.

Discusses the geographical, historical, and cultural aspects of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Includes maps, illustrated fact spreads, and other relevant material.

Discusses the geographical, historical, and cultural aspects of the Great Lake states.