Encyclopedia of the United Nations (Facts on File Library of World History)

Alphabetical entries cover the institutions, policies, procedures, and historic personalities associated with the United Nations, and includes information on the role of the United Nations in major world events.

Grade 9 Up-This alphabetical encyclopedia provides a comprehensive guide to the UN's institutions, procedures, policies, agencies, historical personalities, initiatives, and involvement in world affairs. Entries range from several paragraphs to a few pages; most are signed. See and see-also references direct readers to additional entries and many entries include references for further reading and/or relevant Web sites. Graphics include captioned black-and-white photographs and a few charts and graphs. Special features include a list of acronyms used throughout the text; appendixes include the Charter of the United Nations and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, listings of UN member states as of June 2002 and important resolutions, a chronology, and a long list of UN Web sites. There is also a topically divided selected bibliography and a comprehensive index. An up-to-date, user-friendly reference about an organization that continues to play an important role in international affairs.
Dana McDougald, Cedar Shoals High School, Athens, GA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The purpose of this encyclopedia is to provide a guide to the key activities, institutions, and personalities of the UN and to illustrate the role that this organization has played in world events. Written by two history professors with the help of 25 contributors, this excellent examination is very timely in light of current world events.

Locating information is straightforward. The more than 300 entries are arranged alphabetically and range from a single paragraph to several pages. Access is aided by easily identifiable cross-references directly in the text of the articles and see also references at the end of each article. Recommendations for additional readings are included at the end of most of the entries. Finally, a detailed index facilitates access to the main text.

The entries cover a wide range of issues pertinent to the UN, including peace and security (Disarmament, Peacekeeping); justice (Human rights, International law); humanitarian activities (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations Children's Fund [UNICEF]); and development (Sustainable development, United Nations Development Programme). The book also focuses on key individuals (Annan, Kofi Atta; Roosevelt, Franklin D.); historical origins (Fourteen Points, League of Nations); nations and events in which the UN has been involved ( Bosnia, Suez crisis); and agencies (World Bank, World Health Organization [WHO]). The broad scope effectively illustrates the UN's range of activities and role in world events.

The main text of the book is complemented by excellent supplementary material. For example, the several appendixes include a listing of member states as of June 2002 and a chronology of key UN dates and events. There are also an extensive bibliography and a listing of UN Web sites.

Less comprehensive than Routledge's four-volume Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements (3d ed., 2003), this user-friendly and clearly written guide is suitable for public libraries and academic libraries. RBB
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