ABC-CLIO
Voices of the U.S. Latino experience; 3v.
This 3-volume reference presents a large, well-organized collection of primary sources on Latino-US relations from the earliest time until 2006. The documents are arranged chronologically and thematically, with introductory material for each section and for each document. An introduction to the set provides an overview of the history and methodology for the selection of materials. Materials were selected based on the relevance of the topic's impact in the US and the relative size of the different Latino populations in the US. The documents are generally excerpted, rather than presented in full, and include letters, treaties, speeches, manifestoes, governmental documents, histories, and newspaper accounts, among others. A helpful index to the documents by national group follows the table of contents. A list of suggested reading and a timeline follow the introduction. This will be a thought-provoking and useful resource for high school and undergraduate students. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Voting in America; 3v.
This three-volume set, edited by Felchner (Deputy Assistant Managing Editor for Politics at U.S. News & World Report), collects 62 articles in an attempt to provide a comprehensive yet easily accessible look at the role of voting in the political process of the United States. The first volume discusses the mechanics and legal framework of voting in articles that specifically examine the electoral college, voting age, women's suffrage, African Americans and the right to vote, voting registration, felon disenfranchisement, polling place location and its impact, absentee voting, ballot initiatives, campaign finance laws, and other topics. It also discusses the characteristics of voters in chapters examining voter participation, voter apathy, tactics for improving voter turnout, the role of civic education in politics, the impact of the elderly voter on elections, and the young voter. The second volume is concerned with influences on the voter — interest groups, issues, and the media — and includes chapters on women as a swing vote, the Democratic Party and the black voter, unions in politics, evangelicals in politics, interest groups and endorsements, immigration reform, abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, pocketbook issues, healthcare, terrorism and national security, local issue trends, political advertising, and mainstream journalism and online media in elections, among other topics. The final volume covers controversial issues of voting fraud, disenfranchisement, recounts, new technologies, and the like and includes discussion of the Florida recount in the 2000 presidential election, the impact of improperly trained poll workers, exit poll controversies, voting rights for people with disabilities, the Help America Vote Act, online voting and voter registration, electronic voting companies, and public confidence in elections. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Wars of the age of Louis XIV, 1650-1715; an encyclopedia of global warfare and civilization.
As part of the Greenwood Encyclopedia of Modern World Wars series, this volume concentrates on global warfare during the age of Louis XIV, with entries focusing on the events, social conditions, types of weaponry, warfare economies and professional military standards that were prevalent from 1650 to 1715. Nolan (Boston U.) has arranged these entries alphabetically, using simple and descriptive text rather than a structured format while foregoing graphics and illustrations on each page. A section is included that features detailed maps of the primary battles of this period, including campaigns from individual countries. This reference volume should be helpful to anyone doing historical research from this era. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
What schools ban and why.
Thomas (studies in education, U. of California, Santa Barbara) discusses materials and practices — from Richard Wright to weapons and web access — that have been banned in American schools, presenting readers the historical framework for the bans, illustrative cases, policy concerns, and the positions of both proponents and opponents. The 15 chapters may be of interest both to students and school faculty, encouraging readers to think critically about and debate the censorship issues that arise in each case. Chapters are organized under the following themes: books; computers and the internet; movies, television, and photographs; garb; food and drink; speech; bullying and sexual annoyances; music; vandalism; drugs, alcohol, and tobacco; weapons; people; ceremonies and performances (encompassing events that are religious, vulgar, political, and criminal); and displays. The other also offers suggestions for school practice and speculations about trends in the near future. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Women's roles in seventeenth-century America.
Part of a series on women in history, this substantial text for high school students and above considers societal views of women and the experiences of women in the British North American colonies of the 17th century. Seven chapters discuss colonial women as they related to law, family, immigration, work, religion, war, education, literature, and recreation. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Women, science, and myth; gender beliefs from antiquity to the present.
Contributors identified only by name explore interactions between ideas about women and ideas about science in time periods from antiquity to the early 20th century, in various scientific disciplines, and finally in terms of various themes. Specific topics include endocrinology and hormones, race, universities, women scientists and leaders, and ecofeminism. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
WomanSoul; the inner life of women's spirituality.
Most of them psychologists, but some religious scholars, American women write about what they think spirituality is and how it impacts women as an affirming force that is more gender-fair, less culturally biased, and less restrictive than many religious denominations. Their topics include the return of the goddess, illuminating the Black Madonna, living Kabbalah, and Hindu Indian spirituality and female identity in relation to psychoanalysis. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Working with cultural differences; dealing effectively with diversity in the workplace.
Brislin (management, U. of Hawaii) shows readers how to interact in everyday intercultural situations in the workplace. As a psychologist, he describes the psychological processes that are key to these interactions, and issues involving communication, criticism and disagreement, decision making, gender, status and power, social norms, and workplace dynamics, using short stories to explain how to deal with them. He ends with a discussion of how to develop interpersonal relationships. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Yo-Yo Ma; a biography.
For high school students, this biography of cellist Yo-Yo Ma covers his life from childhood to the present, family background and education, personal and professional influences, albums, awards, and career achievements. Whiting is the author of many books for children, several of which are about music. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
