Washington, DC, gleams with stately columns and neoclassical temples, a pulsing hub of political power and prowess. But for decades it was one of the worst excuses for a capital city the world had ever seen. Before America became a world power in the twentieth century, Washington City was an eyesore at best and a disgrace at worst. Unfilled swamps, filthy canals, and rutted horse trails littered its landscape. Political bosses hired hooligans and...

Presents the history, geography, people, politics and government, economy, social life and customs, state events and attractions, and notable people of Washington, D.C.

"Engaging images accompany information about Washington, D.C. The combination of high-interest subject matter and narrative text is intended for students in grades 3 through 8"--

#1 New York Times Bestseller

"A revealing look at life inside the White House. . . it's Downton Abbey for the White House staff."— The Today Show

A remarkable history with elements of both In the President's Secret Service and The Butler, The Residence offers an intimate account of the service staff of the White House, from the Kennedys to the Obamas.

America's

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An interactive book about the meeting place of Congress follows three children who learn all about the Capitol with the help of their family members who work there.

On January 24, 1791, President George Washington chose the site for the young nation's capital: ten miles square, it stretched from the highest point of navigation on the Potomac River, and encompassed the ports of Georgetown and Alexandria. From the moment the federal government moved to the District of Columbia in December 1800, Washington has been central to American identity and life. Shaped by politics and intrigue, poverty and largess, contradictions...