Book excerpt: The Industrial Revolution was one of the most dramatic eras of all time, filled with fascinating people, strange events, and incredible stories. This period of great change comes into sharp focus through each spread with detailed, accessible language. Each fact is complemented with vivid, carefully-chosen historical images and illustrations, and a caption that adds just a touch more history. Readers are drawn deep into the facts not covered in history textbooks, like working conditions, inventions, failures, and characters, to make this important history lesson fun and engaging.