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Available Titles

Facts On File is an award–winning publisher of print and online reference materials for the school and library market providing specialized content in core subject areas, such as history, science, literature and many more.

Many of the titles included with the Facts on File Gale Virtual Reference Library addition are part of popular series like:

Careers

• Career Opportunities
  
  

  Career Opportunities

  Each volume in the Career Opportunities series contains in–depth profiles of approximately 60 to 100 jobs, providing thorough information on salary ranges, advancement prospects, employment trends, necessary experience, and helpful unions and associations. Each profile presents an overview of the main duties and features of the job, a Career Ladder that illustrates frequent routes to and from the position, and comprehensive descriptions of certification, education, special skills, and training required.

• Careers In Focus
  
  

  Careers In Focus

  Ferguson’s Careers in Focus books are written in an easy–to–understand yet informative style. This comprehensive series surveys a wide array of commonly held jobs and is arranged into volumes organized by specific industries and interests. Each of these informative books is loaded with up–to–date career information presented in 16 to 25 job articles.

  Each article includes:

  • Quick Facts: summarizes important facts
  • Overview: briefly introduces duties and responsibilities
  • History: describes the history of the job in relation to the industry or field
  • The Job: describes primary and secondary duties
  • And much more
• Field Guides to Finding a New Career
  
  

  Field Guides to Finding a New Career

  Aimed at those looking to take their career in a new direction, each informative book in the Field Guides to Finding a New Career series explores an exciting career field and provides readers with the necessary tools to transition to a new job. This series also addresses the specific concerns of changing careers for different age groups.

  Features include:

  • "Career Compasses" — tools that help identify important skills or qualities needed to succeed in the field
  • "Destination" — a brief overview of the career
  • "You Are Here" — a brief set of self–assessment questions to locate the proper starting point for a journey into this field
  • And many others
• Top Careers in Two Years
  
  

  Top Careers in Two Years

  This series provides detailed information for students seeking a rewarding career without committing to four years of college. There are numerous job opportunities for students with an associate’s degree, comparable certification, and work or life experience, and this set covers many in–demand careers in various industries. Intended for students in grades 9 and up, each volume looks at a separate industry based on the Department of Education’s Career Clusters. After a helpful introduction, each invaluable guide features approximately 10 to 12 informative job articles, followed by appendixes providing general job–seeking and interview tips.

• Great Careers with a High School Diploma
  
  

  Great Careers with a High School Diploma

  The Great Careers with a High School Diploma series profiles jobs that require no more than a high school diploma or a GED. Each volume explores some of the U.S. Department of Labor’s career clusters, examining several careers within each cluster. These essential career books give students in grades 9 and up the know–how to find a job in their desired field, as well as insider tips and guidance to career success. Each book in this set examines the on–the–job training that often leads to certification in addition to the potential for self–employment in a particular field.

Environment

• Discovering the Earth
  
  

  Discovering the Earth

  Readers are provided illuminating information in each of the set’s four volumes:

  • Atmosphere tells the story of the atmospheric sciences, beginning with the recognition that air is a material substance — a mixture of gases — and describes the unraveling of its chemical composition. This new resource examines the invention of the barometer and thermometer and how they came to be calibrated by Daniel Fahrenheit and Anders Celsius.
  • Earth Science discusses the history of this planet, from the study of fossils to the development of the theory of plate tectonics. This exciting new book examines the Earth’s history and how it came to be divided into the episodes making up the geologic time scale and includes the present version of that time scale.
  • Ecology traces the origin of ecology and explains what it is and how it has developed over the years. Outlining the progress made so far in improving environmental quality, this new book describes the many contributions made by various scientists to this field, discusses significant events that have shaped ecology and documents the rise of the modern environmental movement.
  • Oceans explores some of the mapmakers, scientists, and adventurers who dedicated their lives to improving our understanding of the oceans. This new resource begins with the long process of mapping the oceans and the many problems that had to be solved before this could be achieved satisfactorily.
• Energy and the Environment
  
  

  Energy and the Environment

  The six–volume Energy and the Environment set provides an accessible and comprehensive examination of the history, technology, science, environmental and social implications, and issues of environmental justice that are associated with the production of energy. Each volume in this full–color set describes one or more sources of energy and the technology needed to convert it to useful working energy — and the issues involved in the process.

• Global Warming
  
  

  Global Warming

  The Global Warming series gives students the basic scientific framework needed to understand the study of global warming. Outlining the concepts of global systems, climate cycles, and trends, these full–color books discuss the micro and macro motions in the atmosphere that affect weather and climate, what history can tell us about previous climate patterns and what the future may hold. This informative series also examines various countries and how they contribute to the problem as well as strategies for coping with global climate change, current research, and what lies ahead.

• Green Technology
  
  

  Green Technology

  Green Technology is a new eight–title set that explores new methods for repairing and restoring the environment as well as current technologies in use. Part science and part social study, each volume provides brief historical background on a topic important in the green technology movement — from cleaning up the environment to renewable energy sources and methods. This must–have full–color set also examines the role played by large international organizations in persuading different countries and cultures to find common ground for using natural resources. Written in a lively tone and filled with photographs, tables, charts, and sidebars, this timely set is ideal for high school and college students as well as for readers concerned with preserving the environment.

• The Hazardous Earth
  
  

  The Hazardous Earth

  The Hazardous Earth is intended to provide middle and high school students with readable and comprehensive accounts of natural geologic hazards, along with the geologic processes behind them and what can be done to minimize their effects. Following Earth science standards, the titles in this accessible set present clear descriptions of plate tectonics and associated hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and soil and mineral hazards, as well as hazards from the interaction of the ocean, atmosphere, and land, such as tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, and droughts.

Science

• Essentials of Forensic Science
  
  

  Essentials of Forensic Science

  Forensic science serves as an accessible and inspiring window into a fascinating realm of science. The seven–title Essentials of Forensic Science set was created in response to this thirst for knowledge and information. Written by eminent forensic scientists, the books cover all major areas of forensic science from their earliest inception to the modern laboratory and courtroom. With topics ranging from firearms and fingerprints to fakes and forgeries, the books in this intriguing set provide students, teachers, and general readers with a readable and comprehensive account of current topics in this field as well as related findings in science.

• Facts On File Science Experiments
  
  

  Facts On File Science Experiments

  Facts On File Science Experiments is a new series of experiments that enables students (in grades 6–12) to comprehend science in a hands–on way. The high–interest experiments in these books put students’ minds into gear and give them opportunities to become involved, think independently, and build on their own base of science knowledge. Closely aligned with the National Science Education Standards, the Facts On File Science Experiments series provides teachers with new and innovative classroom activities that are presented in a clear, easy–to–understand style.

• Genetics and Evolution
  
  

  Genetics and Evolution

  This four volume set includes:

  • Developmental Biology examines not only the embryo, but also the triumphs and tribulations of biologists. Bringing readers up to date with current research on the topic, this new volume explores everything from stem cell regeneration to developmental mechanisms across evolutionary time scales.
  • Evolution demonstrates why the theory was necessary, describing it as clearly as possible, in order to show how it has been received by society and to explain the central role that it plays in today’s science. This new book also examines the immense impact evolution has had on society and on modern medicine.
  • Genetic Engineering traces the history of genetic science up to the present day and proposes some thoughts about how it is likely to affect the future. This engaging new resource describes some of the developments in the first few years of the 21st century and how society is coping with some of the ethical challenges that accompany them.
  • The Molecules of Life explains how the chemistry and physics of organic molecules drive processes within cells and permit the construction of amazingly complex plants and animals.
• Global Issues
  
  

  Global Issues

  Bringing an international perspective to some of the key challenges facing the world today, the Global Issues series acts as a first–stop resource for these hot–button issues. A foreword written by an expert in the field complements each volume and highlights the global significance of each of these topics in the 21st century. Each volume contains three sections:

  • An introduction clearly defines the issue by outlining the global challenges involved and providing a brief history of the subject.
  • The second section draws together significant U.S. and international primary source documents–including excerpts from newspaper articles, speeches, relevant treaties and other legal documents, and scientific reports.
  • The third section gathers useful research tools–such as brief biographies of key international players, facts and figures, an annotated bibliography, and a list of relevant international organizations and agencies.
• The History of Medicine
  
  

  The History of Medicine

  This three–volume set follows medicine — and its practitioners — through the ages.

  • Early Civilizations focuses on the story of the ancient people and their approach to medicine, but the information presented in this new volume is by no means limited to discoveries made long ago. Today's scientists, archaeologists, and paleopathologists have learned the value of applying the latest technological developments to examine prehistoric finds.
  • The Middle Ages illuminates what occurred during medieval times that affected future developments in medicine. Featuring a chronology, a glossary, and an array of historical and current sources for further research, this insightful new volume provides readers with a better understanding of the accomplishments of the time, explaining how and why scientific understanding was poised for the breakthrough of the Renaissance period.
  • The Scientific Revolution and Medicine examines the scientific revolution and how it has affected future developments in medicine. This book is a vital addition to literature on the Scientific Revolution because it puts the medical discoveries of the period into perspective, providing readers with a better understanding of the accomplishments of the time.
• Twentieth–Century Science
  
  

  Twentieth–Century Science

  This series provides students, teachers, and general readers with an accessible and highly readable source for understanding how science developed, decade by decade, during the last century — along with hints about where it is headed in the future. The history of science presented in this set teaches students about the benefits of making careful observations, of pursuing paths and ideas that others have neglected or have not ventured to tread, and of always questioning the world around them.

• Science Encyclopedia
  
  

  Science Encyclopedia

  From the discussion of computer technology to the study oceanic phenomena, the Science Encyclopedia series is a comprehensive resource for today’s middle and high school students. The set covers many different, yet intertwined topics:

  • Computer science and technology
  • Forensic science
  • Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones
  • Life sciences
  • Marine science
  • Physical science
  • Weather and climate
  • World Scientists

K12 – Teens

• Teen’s Guides
  
  

  Teen’s Guides

  The Teen’s Guides series provides a wealth of information on a variety of illnesses, diseases, and social issues that often affect readers in grades 6 through 12 — from peer pressure and bullying to obesity and sexually transmitted diseases. Ideal for teens living with a disease or whose family members or friends are coping with it or for those facing some of the challenging realities of modern life, these books provide all the information readers need to know to understand the nature of the issue and its consequences on day–to–day life.

• The Truth About
  
  

  The Truth About

  Every day adolescents face difficult situations and life–changing decisions. The Truth About series delivers current facts and straightforward information to help young people understand the consequences — good or bad — of the life choices they make. Without preaching or dictating what readers should do, each volume carefully explains key health matters, and the social issues, financial elements, and other aspects of the topics relevant to teens today. Focusing on everything from divorce and depression to drugs and eating disorders, this series provides sound advice on avoiding dangerous behavior and coping with stressful situations.

• Library of Health and Living
  
  

  Library of Health and Living

  The Library of Health and Living series is a collection of clear, comprehensive, and up–to–date resources for understanding and coping with the complexities of modern health and social concerns. It provides an objective overview of the essential facts and wider social ramifications that have been established by experts about the afflictions covered.

  Each volume contains:

  • An extensive A–to–Z reference section that defines the causes, cures, key research, medical terms, symptoms, treatments, and trends of each field of study
  • Detailed appendices that provide current statistical information
  • An extensive bibliography that serves as a starting point for further research
  • Comprehensive directories that list organizations, associations, schools, support groups, and publications readers can turn to for further information
• Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Literature
  
  

  Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Literature

  The Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Literature set is an invaluable examination of the literature of a variety of ethnic backgrounds — Asian–American, American Indian, Jewish–American, and Hispanic–American. Each A–to–Z reference features hundreds of entries covering important authors and works, both the historically significant and the contemporary, from all genres of that literary tradition. Helpful reference features in each volume, including bibliographies, cross–references, and an index, further increase the value of these essential works in the high school and college classroom.

• Encyclopedia of World Religions
  
  

  Encyclopedia of World Religions

  The Encyclopedia of World Religions set explores the major religions of the world, emphasizing the living faiths and their historical and social backgrounds. Each volume was written by an expert in the field, and then reviewed and approved by series editor J. Gordon Melton. Ideal for high school and junior college students, these authoritative references are accessible enough to be of use to the general reader as well as the serious scholar.

• Literary Movements
  
  

  Literary Movements

  The Literary Movements series examines the most influential literary movements in history. Pulling together the people, events, and works that defined each individual movement, these A–to–Z references create a clear, vivid picture of the way literature was formed within these genres or time periods. Offering hundreds of entries, each compelling encyclopedia details writers and influences, works and characters, places, historical events, figures, terms, and much more, this resource is a comprehensive resource for high school and college literature students.

Other individual and multi-volume references are available. View all titles.