World at Risk : A Global Issues Sourcebook

This acclaimed sourcebook provides in-depth analysis of current global hot topics. Arranged topically, the 32 essays address a wide range of key issues, including demographics, economics, education, health, politics, and security. New entries discuss drug trafficking, human trafficking, international finance, immigration, and transnational governance. 

The chapter structure allows readers to compare the different topics by presenting the following information: 

• Introduction ― Introduces and describes the importance to the issue to the world community.
• Historical Development ― Situates the issue historically within the international community.
• Current Status ― Reviews the latest studies and scholarly research on the issue and presents a brief synopsis of the policies and programs that have been developed in response to the issue.  
• Regional Summaries and Statistics ―Assesses the impact the issue has had on various regions around the world.
• Global Map ― Supplements the regional summaries by providing a snapshot of the issue’s impact across countries.
• Data ― Provides a tabular overview of the topic under discussion.
• Case Study ― Brings the issue into focus in one or two local close-ups that show how it has affected a specific community, country, or region.
• Biographical Sketches ― Presents biographies of historical and contemporary individuals who have helped shape the thinking and action concerning the issue.
• Directory ― Details the relevant government agencies, lobbying groups, and organizations.  
• Further Research ― Directs readers to books, reports, magazines, newspaper articles, and Web sites where they can learn more about the subject.
• Documents ― Excerpts important documents crucial to understanding the issue and the international response. 

World At Risk is an outstanding resource for patrons of academic, public, and high school libraries and anyone interested in global trends and issues.

Gr 10 Up–This update of the 2002 edition is subdivided thematically (rather than alphabetically) and includes new entries on drug and human trafficking, international finance, immigration, and transnational governance. Chapters that appeared in the original edition have been revised and updated. The thematic sections cover “Demographics and Settlement”; “Economics”; “Environment”; “Education, Health, and Welfare”; “Politics and Governance”; and “Security.” Each section is further divided into chapters addressing specific topics. For example, the section on security includes chapters on arms control, drug trafficking, and genocide. Chapters are similarly structured, allowing for easy comparison of issues. Beginning with historical background and development, entries also detail policies and programs, include regional summaries, end with case studies, and are supplemented by informative, black-and-white tables and maps. Every chapter concludes with a section containing biographies of relevant subjects, agency directories, and extensive bibliographies. This quality work thoroughly covers broad ground and will be appreciated by high school students working above grade level.Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.