Puts world events in a context that is relevant for today's students and casual readers Updated to include the significant events from the past several years

Which societies are the most important? Which periods of time saw the most change? How have cultures differed and remained the same across this vast time and space? This guide gives readers the whole world, and then some! Including key ideas as well as lesser-known facts, salient quotes, and crucial terms defined, it prepares readers not only to excel in exams but to become 21st century citizens of the world.

Fascinating, fact-filled writing that delivers hundreds of years in the life of the European continent. Terrific supplementary reading for AP History students.

Freemasonry is an ancient secret society shrouded in obscurity. Fascination with the mysteries of the Masons reached a fevered pitch after the release of Dan Brown’s novels Angels and Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and The Lost Symbol. But these novels and their related movies raised more questions than they answered. The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Freemasonry, Second Edition, fills readers in on the truths behind the mysteries. In it, readers get: - A fact-filled overview of the birth and beginnings of Freemasonry, including its relationship to the Knights Templar and Egypt. - Fascinating facts about famous Masons. - An explanation of the various Masonic organizations, such as the York and Scottish rites, and the Shriners. - A behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on in a Masonic lodge, including initiations. - A new walking tour of Washington, DC, pointing out the hidden Masonic symbols featured in The Lost Symbol. - Scripts for Masonic rituals, giving a flavor of the language used in such ceremonies. - A field guide to Masonic symbols and regalia, with photos and explanations of significance. - The history behind Masonic philanthropic efforts and youth groups. - A history of African-American Freemasonry and the role of women in Masonic organizations.

It pays to be in the know about mortgages. An expanded and revised version of The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Mortgages, this essential volume covers everything homebuyers and re-financers need to know. Coverage includes an overview of the application process, overcoming qualification hurdles, finding the right type of loan, when and how to refinance to save money, and much more. * Contains the forms readers need as they move through the mortgage process, including a sample application, pre-qualification forms, re-finance worksheets, and mortgage payment and amortization tables * Expanded, larger-format edition * Features all the new, creative mortgage programs that have become popular

Freemasonry is an ancient secret society shrouded in obscurity. Fascination with the mysteries of the Masons reached fever pitch after the release of Dan Brown's novels, Angels and Demons, The DaVinci Code, and The Lost Symbol. But these novels and their related movies raised more questions than they answered. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry, Second Edition, fills readers in on the truths behind the mysteries. In it, readers get: - A fact-filled overview of the birth and beginnings of Freemasonry, including its relationship to the Knights Templar and Egypt - Fascinating facts about famous Masons - An explanation of the various Masonic organizations, such as the York and Scottish rites, and the Shriners - A behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on in a Masonic lodge, including initiations - A new walking tour of Washington, D.C., pointing out the hidden Masonic symbols featured in The Lost Symbol - Scripts for Masonic rituals, giving a flavor of the language used in such ceremonies - A field guide to Masonic symbols and regalia, with photos and explanations of significance - The history behind Masonic philanthropic efforts and youth groups - A history of African American Freemasonry and the role of women in Masonic organizations

A new look at an ancient religion. The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Hinduism, Second Edition, contains updated and expanded information on how the religion developed from its very fragmented origins, the basic Hindu beliefs, and the multiple Hindu deities, as well as the sociological aspects of the religion including ethics, sacraments, dietary habits, the caste system, and much more. • Hinduism is the third-largest religion in the world, with over 765 million followers worldwide • Updated information on the state of Hinduism today • An exploration of the Hindu paths to enlightenment including karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga, tantra and laya yoga • Expanded information on the Hindu Reformation

Jon Stewart, one of the world’s leading experts on the work of Søren Kierkegaard, has here compiled the most comprehensive single-volume overview of Kierkegaard studies currently available. Includes contributions from an international array of Kierkegaard scholars from across the disciplines Covers all of the major disciplines within the broad field of Kierkegaard research, including philosophy; theology and religious studies; aesthetics, the arts and literary theory; and social sciences and politics Elucidates Kierkegaard’s contribution to each of these areas through examining the sources he drew upon, charting the reception of his ideas, and analyzing his unique conceptual insights into each topic Demystifies the complex field of Kierkegaard studies creating an accessible entry-point into his thought and writings for readers new to his work

"A new series from respected educator Dr. James Stobaugh that takes you on a journey through history without the filters of revisionist or anti-Christian perspectives. This book is designed for a year's worth of study; 34 powerful weeks of historical viewpoints. A summary sets the stage for learning so the student can enjoy a daily lesson with thought-provoking questions, and an exam that takes place every fifth day ... Historical content covered in this volume includes the following: Mesopotamia, the Jewish Exile, Egyptian Life, Greece, Life in Athens, Roman Life, Early Church History, Japanese History, Indian (South Asian) History, Persian History, Chinese History, the Middle Ages, the Crusades, the Renaissance, the Reformation, German History, the World Wars, and South Africa"--Page 4 of cover.

A simple, explanatory guide to Islam’s central text. Taking the same approach as the bestselling The Complete Idiot's Guide® to the Bible, this book presents a balanced overview of the Koran, explaining not only the “flow” of the Koran, but also what it has to say about Allah and humanity, virtue, justice, life on earth, the afterlife, women, love, unbelievers, faith, and tradition. The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to the Koran is your cover-to-cover companion to this sacred—and sometimes complicated—holy text. In this Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get: • A foolproof introduction to the fundamental themes of the holy Koran. • Expert advice on how to approach the book when you a translation of it yourself. • Ten things that make the Holy Koran unique among the world’s holy text. • Inspiring tips on how to overcome the challenges non-Muslim face when reading the Koran.