Richard Diedrichs: 33 books

When Sister Plautilla Nelli entered a convent in 1548 at age 14, the friar encouraged her to paint devotional works of art. She was the first known Renaissance woman painter in Florence, Italy. Florence has the richest tradition in the world of paintings of The Last Supper. In the 1570s, Nelli added...

Sacagawea traveled five thousand miles through wilderness with her infant son as a member of Lewis and Clark's exploration of the Louisiana Territory and trailblazing to the Pacific Ocean. Her natural skills, knowledge, and resourcefulness ensured the survival and success of the Expedition. Sacagawea...

In 1884, Ida B. Wells was removed from a train for refusing to give up her seat to a white woman. She wrote a newspaper article reporting on her mistreatment. As an investigative journalist, Wells exposed the occurrences and causes of the lynching of black citizens in the post-Civil War South. She...

Maria Mitchell was America's first professional female astronomer. In 1847, she discovered "Miss Mitchell's Comet," which won her a gold medal from the King of Denmark and instant fame. During her illustrious career, Maria added immensely to the field of astronomy, was hired as the first professor at Vassar College in 1865, and opened doors to women in science and in life.

Over its 1,128-year history, the Alhambra in Granada Spain was nearly destroyed four times. A reverence for the cultural significance and awe for the physical magnificence of the palace/fortress stopped its destruction. Today more than three million people a year have the chance to experience this unique World Heritage Site.

We each eat about three pounds of salt a year, nearly twice as much as we should. Too much sodium (salt) causes high blood pressure and kidney problems. Potassium interacts with sodium to lower our risk of cardiovascular disease. Fewer than two percent of us take in enough potassium. Too little potassium...

After being booted out of his second marriage, the author faced a choice. He could move in the same direction, creating a swath of suffering, or he could take his life into his hands and learn to care for himself. He had the chance to be free.

The neurologist said if you take nothing else, be sure to take folic acid. Why folic acid? Is it good for the brain, or just good for you in general? Folic acid helps cells with their chemical processes. It forms and grows red blood cells. Lack of folic acid can cause serious and lethal health problems. But the question remains: what does folic acid have to do with the brain?

The author toured The City of Arts and Sciences, an entertainment-based, cultural and architectural complex in Valencia, Spain. The City of Arts and Sciences is the most modern tourist destination in Valencia, and one of the 12 treasures of Spain. The complex is comprised of six stunning, state of the art buildings, the designs of which are abstract, yet based on natural forms.

When his aging father asked for help, the author faced a dilemma. Given their troubled history, he had every right to say no. But was that the person he wanted to be? The choice he made led him to his true self.

Loud noise is part of everyday life. Loud noise is also a serious health risk. Once hearing is damaged or lost, it cannot be restored. What are the signs of hearing loss? What can you do to prevent it?

Some cells in the body stop dividing and remain active. They damage tissue and lead to aging-related diseases. Researchers have found that killing these "zombie" cells can restore tissue, help the body resist disease, and increase health span and life longevity.

Staying in the moment is almost cliche. But it is the key to being happy. What are some simple, natural cues we can use in our bodies and minds to bring us back, over and over to the truth of the moment?

Did you know it is against the law to drive blindfolded in Alabama? In Florida, if you have an elephant, goat, or alligator attached to your car, you must feed the parking meter. Every state in the Union has on its books silly and outdated traffic laws. Here is a conpendium of 60 ridiculous traffic laws in the U.S. of A.