eBooks - Adults

American Decades

American Decades is an excellent cross-disciplinary source for United States history research. Intended for junior and high school students and general researchers, this collection offers a single, consistent reference to document and analyze periods of contemporary American social history. Requires Washington County Library card.

American Decades Primary Sources

American Decades Primary Sources includes full or excerpted primary sources that provide insight into the seminal issues, themes, movements, and events from each decade. Requires Washington County Library card.

American Inaugurals

The Speeches, The Presidents, and Their Times: Get a unique glimpse into our nation's history as you read the speeches of America's greatest leaders, exactly as they were delivered. Each speech is preceded by an introductory, fact-filled section that includes photographs, political backgroud, and sidebars. Requires Washington County Library card.

Ancient Civilizations Reference Library

Ancient Civilizations Reference Library , 4v, 2000. The ancient civilizations of Iraq, Egypt, India, China, Central America and other regions are the focus of this remarkable contribution to student reference. Requires Washington County Library card.

Ancient Europe, 8000 BC to 1000 AD: An Encyclopedia of the Barbarian World

This encyclopedia explores the many peoples of early European civilizations responsible for such accomplishments as the rise of farming in the Neolithic era and the building of Stonehenge. Coverage expands from prehistoric origins through the early Middle Ages (8000 BC to AD 1000) when tribal movements helped define the end of ancient culture and the rise of the modern European world. Requires Washington County Library card.

Bowling, Beatniks, and Bell-Bottoms: Pop Culture of 20th-Century America

The hairstyles, slang terms, advertising jingles, pop music sensations, and all else described as popular culture is covered in this five-volume reference. Requires Washington County Library card.

Chemical Elements: From Carbon to Krypton

This 3-volume title provides in-depth, current, and accurate information on 112 known chemical elements, plus coverage on recently-discovered elements 113 through 118. Requires Washington County Library card.

Dictionary of American History

The first comprehensive revision of this classic reference source, originally published in 1940, features updated and revised entries from previous editions, as well as more than 800 new entries covering recent events and topics not covered previously. This authoritative work serves students, scholars, and general readers interested in a wide range of topics in American history, from the well studied and familiar to the obscure. Requires Washington County Library card.

Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion

A three-volume survey of clothing, costume and fashion, presented through 640 essays. Coverage includes the origins of clothing and body adornment, the development of fabrics and technologies, and the social meanings of dress, as well as representative costumes from a wide range of historical eras. For students and researchers at the high-school level or higher. Heavily illustrated. Requires Washington County Library card.

Encyclopedia of Recreation and Leisure in America

From rodeos to quilting bees, stickball to stock car racing, American pastimes comprise a broad range of activities. The two-volume Encyclopedia of Recreation and Leisure in America provides a comprehensive survey of these activities from the Colonial era to the present. This title examines how the pursuit of leisure has changed over time, reflecting shifting social, cultural, political and economic trends in the United States. Particular attention is paid to how leisure activities have varied by region, class, ethnicity, gender and age. Requires Washington County Library card.

Encyclopedia of Religion

The standard reference in the field, expanded and heavily updated for this 2nd edition. Over 3300 articles present a cross-cultural approach that emphasizes religion's role within everyday life and as a unique experience from culture to culture. Requires Washington County Library card.

Encyclopedia of the Supreme Court of the United States

Focuses on the substance of American law, the processes that produce its legal principles, and the history of the Supreme Court, from its creation to the present. Overview essays address the history of such topics as citizenship, due process, Native Americans, racism, and contraception, emphasizing the social context of each and the social and political pressures that shaped interpretation. Requires Washington County Library card.

Endangered Species

Including the addition of 25 new species, this new 2nd edition is completely updated to reflect the changes in endangered and threatened status. Color photographs and maps provide further illustrate the many species threatened by extinction, including amphibians, birds, crustaceans, fish, insects, mammals, mollusks, reptiles, and more. Requires Washington County Library card.

Environmental Encyclopedia

Provides in-depth, worldwide coverage of environmental issues. Each article is written in a nontechnical style and provides current status, analysis, and suggested solutions whenever possible. Requires Washington County Library card.

Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World

Explores European history from 1450-1789, from the print revolution to the French Revolution. Includes 1,150 articles written by eminent scholars covering major topics in art, government, and education as well as providing biographical entries on key figures of the period. Also covers topics specific to the era, such as apocalypticism, guilds, food riots, royal mistresses and lovers, the Spanish Inquisition, Utopia and others. Requires Washington County Library card.

Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained

Responds to the surging interest among students for information on topics relating to magic, witchcraft, the supernatural, and other mysterious phenomena. Information is arranged in an objective manner, presenting varying viewpoints when appropriate, and is written at a level that younger students and researchers can understand. Covers the history, people, and practices related to each topic, as well as popular literature, television programs, and movies related to the subject. Requires Washington County Library card.

Gale Virtual Reference Library

Search a collection of dozens of online reference books for adults and kids. Find reliable, authoritative information in the fields of history, social sciences, government & law, religion, science & technology, biography, and literature. Requires Washington County Library card.

Gilded Age and Progressive Era Reference Library

Focuses on the significant social and culture changes that occurred in the years 1878-1913. Requires Washington County Library card.

Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Cultures

Profiles more than 290 of the most representative and studied groups from around the world. Presented in nine volumes and arranged into 20 easy-to-follow headings that facilitate quick scanning and meaningful comparisons among cultures, including location, language, folklore, religion, social problems, and more. Requires Washington County Library card.

Mathematics

This illustrated work explains basic concepts of math and geometry, and provides information on historical milestones, notable mathematicians, and more. Explores the functions of math in daily life, as well as its role as a tool for measurement, data analysis, and technological development. Requires Washington County Library card.

Middle Ages Reference Library

Middle Ages Reference Library explores the complex period of the Middle Ages, covering the different civilizations and peoples of Medieval times. It also includes biographical essays on significant individuals from the period and an insightful collection of full or excerpted texts from the era. Requires Washington County Library card.

New Dictionary of the History of Ideas

Extensive survey of the history of Western thought and culture, presented through 700 alphabetically arranged entries. Each entry explores the origin, cultural interpretations, and historical themes of such subjects as beauty, love, feminism, diversity, and social capital, among many others. For students and general readers. Requires Washington County Library card.

New Encyclopedia of Africa

Addresses the entire history of African cultures from the pharaohs and the ancient civilizations of the south through the colonial era to the emergence of 53 independent countries, some of them newly emergent in world commerce and others deep in conflict. Covers issues facing the continent such as global development, the AIDS crisis, and international terrorism. Requires Washington County Library card.

Nonfiction Classics for Students: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Nonfiction Works

Provides in-depth literary and historical background on the most commonly studied nonfiction essays, books, biographies, and memoirs in a streamlined, easy-to-use format. Covering 15-20 works per volume, this reference series gives high-school and undergraduate students an ideal starting point for class assignments, term papers, and special projects. Requires Washington County Library card.

Philip's Astronomy Encyclopedia

The best A-Z encyclopedia for enthusiastic skywatchers, with more than 3000 articles on all aspects of astronomy and astrophysics. Written by more than 100 leading astronomers from the world's universities and observatories, it is comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible. Requires Washington County Library card.

Renaissance and Reformation Reference Library

Covering everything from Luther's Revolt to the writings of Shakespeare, this set provides comprehensive coverage of this amazing time. Includes extensive background information on the period, approximately 50 biographies of people of the era, and includes full or excerpted speeches, diary entries, newspaper and magazine articles, poems, and documents. Requires Washington County Library card.

Science of Everyday Things

This 4-vol. set illustrates the importance of scientific and mathematical principles through their use in everyday life. Each volume focuses on a specific scientific discipline -- biology, chemistry, earth sciences and physics -- offering students an in-depth understanding of each discipline and its theories. Requires Washington County Library card.

Space Sciences

From the history of space exploration to the future of "space business," this set offers a broad survey of the space sciences. Includes biographies of scientists and the space-related job market. Requires Washington County Library card.

U*X*L Encyclopedia of Science

This alphabetically organized set opens up the entire world of science in clear, nontechnical language. Topics profiled are related to the physical, life, and earth sciences, as well as to math, psychology, engineering, technology, and the environment. Requires Washington County Library card.

U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology

Entry topics include gods and goddesses; heroes and other key characters; motifs and global themes; major myths; and national or cultural mythologies. Coverage spans a diversity of cultures, including standard Greek/Roman entries as well as Native North and South American traditions, Norse mythology, Asian Pacific mythology, Judeo-Christian tradition, and Islamic and Hindu mythologies. Requires Washington County Library card.

U.S. Immigration and Migration Reference Library

Chronicles and interpretations of the numerous waves of immigration to the United States from the earliest times up to the present day. Covers the economic, religious, and political forces that compelled people to seek a better life in a new land, this resource profiles both prominent and lesser-known figures of the immigrant experience, and features key documents related to the topic. Requires Washington County Library card.

Witchcraft in America

This fascinating and informative source covers the history of witchcraft in the United States from the hysteria that facilitated the witch hunts during the Colonial Period to modern day followers of Wicca. Requires Washington County Library card.