Alison Behnke

It's dangerous to talk on the phone during a thunderstorm. Flushing the toilet sprays water around the bathroom. Freezers can burn your food. You may have heard these common sayings or beliefs before. But are they really true? Can they be proven through research? Let's investigate seventeen statements about the kitchen and home to find out which ones are right, which ones are wrong, and which ones stump even the experts! Find out whether the smell...

Reviews the geography, climate, wildlife, history, politics, culture, economy, and government of France.

Kim Jong Il, one of the world's most infamous dictators, rose to power in the mid-1990s in the small East Asian country of North Korea. He succeeded his father, Kim Il Sung, as that nation's leader. Kim Il Sung took power in North Korea-also known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK-in 1948, and eventually established a state governed by his own version of Communism. Today Kim Jong Il continues his father's tactics of building a...

By the early and mid-nineteenth century, many US citizens were moving westward. Some of them settled in the territories of Texas and California, which belonged to Mexico at that time. In 1835 the tension between the two countries turned violent; US settlers started fighting for independence in the Texas Revolution. That conflict went on to ignite the Mexican-American War in 1846. The war lasted close to two years and claimed thousands of lives. In...

In the United States, racial profiling affects thousands of Americans every day. Combining rigorous research with powerful personal stories, Racial Profiling explores the history, the many manifestations, and the consequences of this form of social injustice.

Brides are always all dressed in white. Cowboys were the first people to wear jeans. Wearing a hat indoors can make you go bald. You may have heard these common sayings or beliefs before. But are they really true? Can they be proven through research? Let's investigate seventeen statements about fashion and find out which ones are right, which ones are wrong, and which ones stump even the experts! Find out whether women really once wore skirts so wide...

As legend has it, a young prince, Alexander, once subdued a wild stallion others couldn't control. Impressed by the youngster's bravery, his father, King Philip of Macedonia, predicted that Alexander would need to find a kingdom big enough for his ambitions. And when Alexander became king, that's exactly what he did. Alexander and his well-trained armies first gained the support of the Greek city states. Then in the mid-300s B.C., he conquered Egypt...

Can one man really change the world? If that man is Genghis Khan, the answer is yes. Born around 1161, Temujin, as he was named, grew up in humble surroundings. As a teenager, he fled from enemy raiders, but he became a fearless-and feared-man who commanded an army of thousands and an empire of millions. In fact, by the mid-1200's Genghis Khan's Mongol Empire included much of the known world. Though he was responsible for the deaths of millions, he...

The Middle East boasts a long, intricate history and a vibrant modern culture that is reflected in their cuisine. Lamb is the most commonly used meat and locally grown beans, rice, dates, and nuts are popular ingredients. Some dishes are shared by many countries in the region, but each nation also has its own specialties, leading to a diverse and interesting blend of dishes.

Combining the cultural traditions of Spain, indigenous Cubans, Africans, and various other immigrants, Cuban cuisine is simple and filled with flavor. Rich spices such as garlic, oregano, and cumin combine with fresh produce, staples such as rice and beans, and pork or fresh seafood to fill Cuban menus. Although the people of Cuba are divided along class lines, they enjoy the same food-Salsa Criollos, Frijoles Negros, Tostones, and Cerdo Asado.