Gail Jarrow

"Describes the panic induced when listeners believed Orson Welles' radio broadcast of "The War of the Worlds" to be news of an alien invasion, discussing the context in which the broadcast was aired and why it was so convincing." --

"...explores the science and grisly history of U.S. Civil War medicine, using actual medical cases and first-person accounts by soldiers, doctors, and nurses. The Civil War took the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans and left countless others with disabling wounds and chronic illnesses. Bullets and artillery shells shattered soldiers' bodies, while microbes and parasites killed twice as many men as did the battles. Yet from this tragic four-year...

One hundred years ago, a mysterious and alarming illness spread across America's South, striking tens of thousands of victims. No one knew what caused it or how to treat it. People were left weak, disfigured, insane, and in some cases, dead. Award winning science and history writer Gail Jarrow tracks this disease, commonly known as pellagra, and highlights how doctors, scientists, and public health officials finally defeated it. Illustrated with 100...

Washington Post Best Children's Book

Formaldehyde, borax, salicylic acid. Today, these chemicals are used in embalming fluids, cleaning supplies, and acne medications. But in 1900, they were routinely added to food that Americans ate from cans and jars.
In 1900, products often weren't safe because unregulated, unethical companies added these and other chemicals to trick consumers into buying spoiled...

"Formaldehyde, borax, salicylic acid. Today, these chemicals are used in embalming fluids, cleaning supplies, and acne medications. But in 1900, they were routinely added to food that Americans ate from cans and jars. Often products weren't safe because unregulated, unethical companies added these and other chemicals to trick consumers into buying spoiled food or harmful medicines. Chemist Harvey Washington Wiley recognized these dangers and began...

"With a flair for entertaining and a knack for self-promotion, Harry Kellar always promised a spectacular show. And he never disappointed. Kellar read minds, floated women in the air, and escaped from knotted ropes in seconds. Known throughout the world, he was a conjurer extraordinaire! Author Gail Jarrow shines the spotlight on this nearly forgotten magical wizard and his dazzling illusions. Working with experts and relying on Kellar's own words...

Discusses medieval castles, why they were built, who built them, how they were constructed, how they were used, their deterioration, and their repair and restoration.