Global Englishes

Gender inequality in the fields of education, law, employment and wages lead to incalculable social and political disparities. These disparities in turn give rise to endemic poverty and violence, to individual frustration, social instability, and cultural disaffection. When women are deprived of their rights, economies are eroded, democracies weakened, and the fabric of societies radically undermined. This pioneering book shows, once and for all, the direct correlation between the freedoms given to women and the prosperity enjoyed by all.

Throughout history, every age has thought of itself as more knowledgeable than the last. Renaissance humanists viewed the Middle Ages as an era of darkness, Enlightenment thinkers tried to sweep superstition away with reason, the modern welfare state sought to slay the “giant” of ignorance, and in today’s hyperconnected world seemingly limitless information is available on demand. But what about the knowledge lost over the centuries? Are we really any less ignorant than our ancestors?

On June 5, 1981, the scientific community received a wake-up call from the CDC in the form of a terrible new illness that the world would soon know as AIDS. Three decades later, remarkable progress has been made, but much more remains to be understood and to be done. In this audiobook, we explore where the disease came from, how it works, how it spreads, the search for a vaccine, and cultural and sociological factors.

Today’s investment world has a low cost of entry and is more convenient than at any time in history. Easier access to the marketplace for retail investors has made a dazzling array of financial products available. The huge selection of passively managed funds, such as index funds and exchange-traded funds, keeps costs down and allows beginners to build a diverse portfolio without spending long hours doing research.

A quick tour of amazing man-made structures in China, Europe, and West Asia.

Learn about how foreign soldiers were prized by the Union and Confederate armies because they had experience fighting in European wars.

Check out these famous countries and regions that owe their shapes to an important geographic feature. These features help dictate so much about the countries they border.

It takes a strong person to lead a nation. This article explores humble beginnings and massive achievements of several world leaders.

An overview of how French Colonies have retained French traits. This article covers France's legacy in Cambodia, Canada, Laos, Morocco, and Vietnam.

Before radio, television, and movies, expositions or world fairs such as the World's Columbian Exposition, the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, and the St. Louis World's Fair offered glimpses into faraway cultures and people.

A fascinating look at archeological finds in Scotland, South Africa, and Malta that offer clues about ancient civilizations.

The Revolutionary War created an opportunity for American women to have an impact on the changing world around them. Here's a look at some other women who filled important roles in their respective countries during the same time period.

Sometimes, preservation and conservation need to occur on a larger scale. Oceana, Greenpeace, and the World Wildlife Fund are dedicated to protecting resources all over the world—especially resources that all people share.

Many popular modern board games were invented in the United States. But some of our favorite games came from other countries and have deep historic roots.

Dueling once was used as a way to settle disputes or to defend honor. Some are more well-known than others—explore three of them here!

The modern Olympic Games generate international excitement! Nadia Comaneci became the first Olympian to win seven perfect scores, Vitaly Scherbo won the world title in all eight gymnastic events, and Abebe Bikila was the first athlete to win two Olympic marathons.

The majority of immigrants who passed through Angel Island Immigration Station in the early 20th century came from China and Japan, but large groups also came from a few other nations.

Learn about three powerful witches from mythology and literature—Circe, Baba Yaga, and the White Witch.

In the 1890s, bobsledding became a sport, Van Gogh died, and the Eiffel Tower and Tower of London were built.

Learn about Argentina's Week of the People’s Martyrs, Mexico's Night of Tlatelolco, and France's Mai 68.