This beautiful family reference from National Geographic tells the story of America through its presidents, revolutionaries, visionaries, inventors, entertainers-and even its most notorious villains.
Far more than an encyclopedia, this treasury tells the rich stories of the people who made America's history-and adds context with lush photographs, illustrations, timelines, artifacts, and more. Beginning with pre-colonial America and continuing through today, this beautifully illustrated book details the fascinating lives of the men and women who helped build the story of our nation. Arranged chronologically, it features more than 400 entries illustrated with lavish four-color photography and elegant illustrations. Intriguing stories and historical maps provide additional context in this comprehensive and enlightening look at America's storied past.

K. M. Kostyal's many books and articles have covered the heroics of people and animals, the subtleties of place, and the richness of ideas and aspirations that propel human behavior. A longtime writer for National Geographic, she has authored books on the lives of polar explorers, war heroes, and the child survivors of war. Her most recent work, Great Migrations, is the official companion book to the National Geographic Channel's acclaimed series by the same name. In her years in publishing, she has worked as a senior editor at both National Geographic magazine and the National Geographic Book Division, as a contributing editor to National Geographic Traveler, and as a contributor to Paraculture Books and to Islands and AARP magazines. She's the recipient of two Lowell Thomas Awards and a member of Ripple Effect Images.