ABC-CLIO

Conflicts over natural resources; a reference handbook.

Vaughn (political science, Northern Arizona U.) presents an overview of natural resources disputes in the U.S. and globally. Three opening chapters define in detail renewable and nonrenewable resources; identify key periods in world and U.S. history that defined and contributed to contemporary conflicts; examine controversies in four areas in the U.S. — minerals, oil and natural gas; protected area policy; rangeland management; timber and forests — and conflicts at the global level over diamonds and precious metals, oil and natural gas, timber and forests, and water resources. Subsequent chapters include a chronology of key events; biographical sketches of 20 significant individuals; a selection of legislation, reports, resolutions, facts, and documents providing historical background; an annotated list of organizations, associations, and agencies; and an annotated bibliography of print and electronic sources. For students, scholars, legislators, businesspeople, activists, and general readers. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Energy use worldwide; a reference handbook.

Moan (chemistry and political science, Northern Arizona U.) and Smith (environmental policy, U. of California, Santa Barbara) present a general history and overview of energy use and related environmental issues around the world. Topics such as energy markets, environmental and social problems and their solutions, and major events in energy history are summarized, along with special US issues and a chronology of energy technology. The remaining chapters comprise biographical sketches of 24 politicians, activists, and scientists important to the state of today's energy use; data and documents supporting discussion; and a directory of related organizations. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Mental health in America; a reference handbook.

This reference for high school and up offers a detailed overview of the background and history of mental health issues in the US and considers the current policy arena for mental health. Treatment, research, prevention, and consumer choice are explored, and issues involving funding, parity, managed care, and integration are examined. Consistent with other works in the series, there are sections of statistics and documents, with overviews of information from government and nongovernmental sources, and advice and links for searching these sources. Sections on organizations and print and nonprint resources include annotated entries. A 25-page chronology charts significant events in the field, and brief biographies of 32 key figures are included. Kemp teaches political science and public administration at California State University-Chico. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)