C.C. Thomas

The evil of terrorism; diagnosis and countermeasures.

The authors (Leiden U. and COT Institute of Safety, the Netherlands) present a basic survey of terrorism and counterterrorism issues that is largely in sync with current US governmental perspectives and approaches (although with perhaps a greater emphasis on the rule of law, albeit mostly as handicap). They recommend that alliances of democratic states (and not the United Nations) confront the relatively new threat of "catastrophic terrorism," concentrating on five missions: "do not deny the most serious threat," "making life as difficult as possible for terrorists," "acute crisis management," "disaster relief," and "channeling collective stress." They also discuss the role of governmental and societal actors in supporting theses missions. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Introduction to business and industrial security and loss control; a primer for business, private security, and law enforcement, 2d ed.

The second edition of this primer for security and loss prevention in business and industry applications has been updated to include references to the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Siljander has spent many years in the loss prevention industry, including experience as a private investigator and a police officer, and he approaches the subject with an emphasis on practical experience as well as case studies. This book should benefit anyone operating in a loss prevention or security environment. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Investigating allegations of child and adolescent sexual abuse; an overview for professionals.

Plach (a licensed clinical social worker located in Illinois) aims to provide newer investigators with the basic knowledge necessary for conducting investigations into allegations of child sexual abuse. He provides an overview of what a successful investigative effort looks like and discusses the basics of the multidisciplinary team model. He also presents foundational information on how to develop a profile of the victim and adapt methods appropriate to that profile and discusses multiple hypotheses investigation and evidence consideration. He then provides an overview of the investigative process, followed by discussion of support services, case evaluation, and special situations encountered. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Transition planning for students with disabilities; what educators and service providers can do.

As is the case with high school students not considered disabled, students so designated, their families and their professional service team must work together to be sure they set realistic goals and set out to attain them. Bakken (special education, Illinois State U.) and Obiakor (exceptional education, U. of Wisconsin at Milwaukee) appear to believe that support from others, especially professions, is the secret to a successful transition from the relatively protected world of the high school to employment and college. They offer transition models and practices and describe transitions for culturally and linguistically diverse learners, selection of assistive devices, creating student-focused transition plans, collaborating with families, developing plans for jobs and careers, creating vocational and technical training, finding and using community resources, working on transportation and recreation issues, providing for independent living, and, in the final analysis, considering post-secondary education. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)