The Astronomers, Mathematicians, and Scientists Who Have Changed the World

Great Minds brings you the most brilliant thinkers of all time--the inventors, the scientists, and the intellectuals whose ideas have moved the world since the dawn of civilization. They're the people who made the discoveries that have shaped everyday life from ancient Greece to the 21st century. Whether it's the radio you listen to every morning, what you know about human evolution, or the steps you take to avoid cholesterol and cancer, they are all the result of someone's perseverance and insight. Come and meet them here.

Insightful Biographies
This impressive list includes Aristotle, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Marie Curie, Charles Darwin, Joycelyn Elders, Stephen Hawking, Guglielmo Marconi, Alfred Nobel, Nostradamus, Louis Pasteur, Ptolemy, Carl Sagan, Benjamin Spock, and many others.

Broad Coverage
Featured articles such as Atmospheric Science, Biology, Climatology, Geology, Medicine, Nobel Prize, Oceanography, and Physiology are among the 1,850 entries.

Fascinating Multimedia
View the evolving theories on the solar system over time. Learn about the lives and achievements of Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, and Jonas Salk. See the impact of the equinox on our seasons. Engaging multimedia plus more than 700 photos, images, and tables accompany the articles.

Quick Vocabulary Help
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus provide instant vocabulary help with unfamiliar terms.

• Windows XP, Vista
• Pentium III or equivalent processor
• 512 MB of RAM
• 325 MB free Hard Drive space
• CD-ROM drive
• 1024 x 768 resolution, 16-bit color
• Sound Card and speakers recommended
• Printer recommended
• Internet access recommended

• Mac OS 10.3, 10.4, or 10.5.x
• PowerPC G5 or Intel Core processor
• 512 MB of RAM
• 325 MB free Hard Drive space
• CD-ROM drive
• 1024 x 768 resolution, millions of colors
• Sound Card and speakers recommended
• Printer recommended
• Internet access recommended