Professor of English at Indiana State University and the author of the literary biography Mark Twain: Man in White, Michael Shelden is the perfect candidate to lead this series of lectures on one of the most important - and most influential - of all American authors. From Twain's early history through his landmark achievements and the defining moments of his extraordinary life, Shelden imparts a learned understanding of both the man and his astounding...

In Elemental Matters, Professor Deborah Sauder leads a comprehensive overview of chemistry, a subject that influences every aspect of daily life. Kicking off the lecture series with a revealing look at one of the planet's most vital chemicals-water-Sauder then delves into the basics of molecular structure and chemical reactions. The course concludes with an eye-opening glimpse of 21st-century applications such as nanotechnology and energy alternatives....

Professor Jeffrey Burds delves into the history of espionage, opening with espionage activity in the ancient world and the Roman Empire and continuing with the American Revolution, Age of Napoleon, and the American Civil War. Throughout this discussion, it becomes evident that spying is not only a never-ending source of fascination but also a major contributor to world history and the development of nations.