Few biologists in the long history of that science have been as productive, as ground-breaking and as controversial as the Alabama-born Edward Osborne Wilson. At 91 years of age he may be the most eminent American scientist in any field. Fascinated from an early age by the natural world in general and ants in particular, his field work on them and on all social insects has vastly expanded our knowledge of their many species and fascinating ways...

Presents a story of terrible hardship and awesome courage - a story that aims to increase our understanding of what kind of people made this nation and what a full and immeasurable price they paid. In 1846 several hundred wagons set out from Independence, Missouri, to follow the California Trail. One group, the Donner Party, braver or more foolhardy than the rest, chose an untried route that would shorten the distance. It did. It also subjected them...