John E. Findling

Kimberly Pelle

Robert W. Rydell

Since their inception with New York's Crystal Palace Exhibition in the mid-nineteenth century, world's fairs have introduced Americans to “exotic” pleasures such as belly dancing and the Ferris Wheel; pathbreaking technologies such as telephones and X rays; and futuristic architectural, landscaping, and transportation schemes. Billed by their promoters as “encyclopedias of civilization,” the expositions impressed tens of millions of fairgoers with model environments and utopian visions. Setting more than 30 world’s fairs from 1853 to 1984 in their historical context, the authors show that the expositions reflected and influenced not only the ideals but also the cultural tensions of their times. As mainstays rather than mere ornaments of American life, world’s fairs created national support for such issues as the social reunification of North and South after the Civil War, U.S. imperial expansion at the turn of the 20th-century, consumer optimism during the Great Depression, and the essential unity of humankind in a nuclear age.

World's Fairs in the United States

Fair America

Kimberly D. Pelle

This encyclopedia contains individual histories of each of the nearly 100 World's Fairs and expositions held in more than 20 countries since 1851. This is a thorough revision and updating of the book originally published as A Historical Dictionary of World's Fairs and Expositions in 1990. The new entries include essays on the world's fairs to be held in Zaragoza, Spain, in 2008 and in Shanghai, China, in 2010. Many of the original essays have been revised and expanded. Topics covered include goods, tourism, nationalistic competition, architecture, art and culture, and "exhibition fatigue." Each fair history has its own annotated bibliography which provides, when possible, the location of relevant primary sources and comments on the quality of secondary sources. Appendices cover the Bureau of International Expositions, fair statistics, fair officials, fairs that did not qualify for inclusion, and fairs that were planned but never held. The book includes a foreword (and appendix) by Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, the secretary general of the Bureau of International Expositions.

Encyclopedia of World's Fairs and Expositions

Frank W. Thackeray

This comprehensive five-volume set contains readable essays that describe and interpret the most important global events since the European Renaissance, some accompanied by related document excerpts and primary source materials. What were the effects of the Age of Exploration on today's ethnic groups and social structure? How did the development of moveable type pave the way for Facebook and Twitter? Why is the Reformation so critical for understanding today's religious controversies? This set will help readers answer these questions by exploring the most significant historical events of the modern world. This five-volume set covers times from the Renaissance to the present. Each volume focuses on a specific historic period and examines 12 events within those time frames that changed the world. Each entry provides an introduction that lays out factual material in a chronological manner, an in-depth essay interpreting the event's significance, and an annotated bibliography of the most important current works on the topic. Select entries are followed by primary sources pertaining to the event under consideration, such as diary entries. Targeted to both general readers as well as entry-level university students, this book also directly supports high school and undergraduate curricula, allowing students to identify and contextualize events in order to think critically about their causes, aftermath, and legacy. Entries covering 62 major events that changed the world Contributions from dozens of well-respected scholars from a variety of disciplines An extensive timeline accompanies each volume Appendices for subjects such as States Achieving Independence since 1945 and Ruling Houses and Dynasties An annotated bibliography of many recent works on each subject event

Events That Formed the Modern World

Covering the 1400s to 1990s, this volume provides essays on more than 60 Western statesmen--those who changed the world in which they lived. Each essay begins with a thorough, insightful biographical sketch covering the subject's life and career with particular emphasis on his or her involvement in international affairs. Each essay also describes available archival materials, works written by and about the subject, and the most recent scholarship and concludes with a bibliographical checklist. The volume also includes appendixes and a full index.

A Bio-bibliographical Dictionary of Diplomacy

Statesmen who Changed the World

Michael S. Casey

Presents a comprehensive history of the nation of Kuwait from the first Mesopotamian settlements as early as 3000 BCE, its independence from British control, occupation by Iraq in 1990, and liberation and reconstruction.

The History of Kuwait

Crescent Hill is one of Louisville's oldest and most well-known neighborhoods. Located four miles east of downtown Louisville, it stretches from Ewing Avenue to the Masonic Home and is bisected by Frankfort Avenue, its principal commercial corridor. Frankfort Avenue parallels the CSX railroad line that was, in the 1850s, the impetus for the development of what became the neighborhood. Originally the site of the state fairgrounds, Crescent Hill was known as Fair Grounds, but the present name first appeared in the 1870s after the fairgrounds were sold. In the late 19th century, Crescent Hill was the site of estates that served as summer homes for many of Louisville's elite. An independent municipality from the 1880s until Louisville annexed it in the early 20th century, the neighborhood was gradually subdivided into smaller lots with pleasant homes, many of which remain today. In addition, Crescent Hill is the home of the Louisville Water Company's filtration plant and reservoir--an iconic presence in the city.

Louisville's Crescent Hill

John Findling

This unique resource describes and evaluates ten of the most important events in British history between the Norman Conquest of 1066 and the Glorious Revolution of 1689 and its aftermath. A full chapter is devoted to each event, and each chapter includes an introduction presenting factual information in a clear, chronological order. Longer, interpretive essays explore the short-term and far-reaching ramifications of the events. Coverage for each event also includes an annotated bibliography of works suitable for students and a full-page illustration. A glossary of terms, a timeline of British history up to 1714, and a chronological list of ruling houses and monarchs help students to better understand the major developments in modern British history, along with their significance and long-term impact.

Events that Changed Great Britain, from 1066 to 1714

Looks at the historical context in which the modern Olympic Games have taken place, covering the highlights of each competition along with information on site selection, economic impact, and political controversies.

Encyclopedia of the Modern Olympic Movement

This comprehensive five-volume set contains readable essays that describe and interpret the most important global events since the European Renaissance, some accompanied by related document excerpts and primary source materials. • Entries covering 62 major events that changed the world • Contributions from dozens of well-respected scholars from a variety of disciplines • An extensive timeline accompanies each volume • Appendices for subjects such as States Achieving Independence since 1945 and Ruling Houses and Dynasties • An annotated bibliography of many recent works on each subject event

From the European Renaissance through the War on Terror

Events That Formed the Modern World: From the European Renaissance through the War on Terror [5 volumes]

This comprehensive and highly readable collection of essays highlights 50 important events that changed the course of American history.

John E. Findling

About

Books

Join the club