Opposing Viewpoints Series - Russia (paperback edition) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0737705213 ISBN 13: 9780737705218

Publisher: Greenhaven Press, 2001

Synopsis

A decade after the fall of communism, Russia remains a country in turmoil. American and Russian experts debate the country's prospects and its place in the world. Chapters include: What Are the Sources of Russia's Domestic Problems? What Are the Prospects for Democracy in Russia? What Should U.S. Foreign Policy Be Toward Russia? Does Russia pose a Threat to the Rest of the World?

About this title

Review:

"Long-standing series about controversial contemporary issues continue(s) to turn out exceptional titles. Greenhaven's Opposing Viewpoints presents multiple perspectives on hot topics such as abortion, the death penalty, and censorship through excerpts from primary materials ranging from speeches to cartoons."
-- Booklist (October 2001) (Booklist 20011015)

"The format and approach are identical to other titles in the series; both sides of a particular issue are explored in depth. Each essay is prefaced by questions that will help students focus their reading and each chapter concludes with suggestions for further reading and research. Students will find the articles helpful in examining these controversial and often emotional issues."
-- School Library Journal (August 2002) (School Library Journal 20020801)

"As usual for books in this series, there are plenty of follow-up sources for students to pursue."
-- Booklist (June 2002) (Booklist 20020615)

"The language is understandable but not simplistic, the pieces are clearly titles for easy identification, and a few cartoons and charts break up the dense text. This unbiased collection is a welcome resource for researchers and debaters."
-- School Library Journal (June 2002) (School Library Journal 20020601)

"Written by educators, scientists, journalists, doctors, veterinarians, members of the clergy and advocates. This excellent volume will elicit group discussion and help to develop critical thinking and analysis of sensitive issues."
-- School Library Journal (May 2002) (School Library Journal 20020501)

"This supplemental reader is perfect for getting students involved in discussion. The resulting debates are sure to reinforce any primary readings and will breathe life into any standard lecture oriented course. This supplement is a useful tool for instructors to get students involved."
-- Crime and Justive International (May 2002) (UNKNOWN 20020501)

"As always in the Opposing Viewpoints series, there are voices from many sides of the debate."
-- Booklist (April 2002) (Booklist 20020415)

"Most present clear, fact-supported points that readers will find valuable for speeches and reports. Editorial cartoons, anectdotes, and statistics break up the essays, make reading easier. This is a well-balanced approach to the issues, argued with studied analysis rather than bind emotion."
-- Booklist (April 2002) (Booklist 20020401)

"This series is invaluable for preparing students for debates, classes, or research assignments. Opposing Viewpoints books help prepare high school students for critical thinking and make them aware of issues that affect society today. Recommended."
-- The Book Report (March-April 2002) (Book Report 20020401)

"Most useful in schools with religion and/or philosophy courses, but should also appeal to general readers."
-- School Library Journal (April 2002) (School Library Journal 20020401)

From School Library Journal:

Grade 10 Up-Articles or excerpts written between 1996 and 1999 are divided into four chapters dealing with sources of Russia's domestic problems, prospects for democracy, Russia as a threat to the rest of the world, and U.S. foreign policy toward that country. Each article has a short introduction that includes three questions to consider, and each section concludes with a periodical bibliography. Most of the articles assume a working knowledge of recent Soviet and Russian history, and there is no glossary. In some cases, articles cited in the bibliographies might have been better choices. For example, it seems odd to have Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, who never endorsed Western-style democracy, claiming that Russia has no democracy. Some of the articles seem to have been selected precisely for their extreme points of view, and these tend to be the weakest. However, they might help young people develop critical-reading skills. Under the guidance of a journalism teacher, students could be led to recognize overblown language, the setting up of "straw men," biases, etc. For this purpose Russia is excellent. For teaching about Russia, however, the recently updated Russia's Uncertain Transition: Challenges for U.S. Policy (Brown Univ.) provides accurate historical background in addition to well-reasoned options for dealing with Russia, and all of the material is designed to be photocopied for classroom use.
Elizabeth Talbot, University of Illinois, Champaign
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Greenhaven Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0737705213
• ISBN 13: 9780737705218
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 203
• Editor: Dudley William