Blackwood, Alan

Traces the life of the explorer, navigator, and scientist whose detailed surveys of the Pacific Ocean and coasts of New Zealand and Australia brought the map of the world near to completion.

Text and photographs explore the origin and development of the piano, discussing how it works and guiding the student from the first steps of playing to more advanced techniques.

A brief account of Magellan's 1519-1522 voyage around the world, which proved beyond all doubt that the world was round.

Explains how wheat, rice, and other grains are grown, milled and made into foods and drinks. A brief history of grain is included.

Traces the history of music and musical instruments over the past five centuries; includes biographies of major composers and performers.

Describes different groups of musical instruments and the sounds we can make from them by striking, blowing, pulling a bow over strings, or plucking. Also traces the history of musical instruments from their primitive origins to the present.