Genius! The Most Astonishing Inventions of All Time

In a follow-up to Explore! The Most Dangerous Journeys of All Time (2013), Kespert highlights more than a dozen inventions and discoveries that “have helped to shape the world today.” Grouped into categories that include communication, technology, and transportation, they include an earthquake detector created by Chinese inventor Zhang Heng during the Han dynasty, Gutenberg’s printing press, and Kevlar, which was invented by DuPont chemist Stephanie Kwolek in 1964 (“one of too few female inventors,” writes Kespert). Sidebars, time lines, archival images, and photographs bring additional context to each entry in this succinct, quick-moving overview of some of humanity’s more notable achievements. Ages 9–up. (Aug.)