School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-Timely, well-presented information on two important areas of the world. In the first, Ross traces the history of the Middle East's long, bitter discord and gives a somewhat critical appraisal of Britain's involvement in the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. The roles of the United States, Soviet Union, and United Nations in the Arab-Israeli conflict are explored, as is the Palestinian question. This concise look at this vital region goes a long way toward explaining the reasons for the continued hostility. The second title recounts the remarkable history of modern Japan since World War II, giving well-documented details on the political, social, and economic circumstances that made its growth possible. The economic rise of Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and other Pacific Rim countries is also outlined. China is discussed briefly, but Ross is cautious about its political stability. Full-color and black-and-white photos and reproductions along with interesting margin quotes enhance the presentations. Both books are well researched and competently written, but The Arab-Israeli Conflict is far more compelling. Fine sources for current-events reports.æJudy R. Johnston, Auburn High School, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
A historical survey of the Middle Eastern conflict and an overview of the economic recovery of postwar Japan -- and to a lesser extent China, South Korea, and other Asian countries -- are presented in dry prose and average black-and-white and color photographs. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 7^-12. Two titles in the Causes and Consequences series set crucial world political events within a historical context. The writing is clear, the treatment provides depth and detail, and the analysis is sophisticated. The design is like a long magazine article with maps, lots of well-captioned photographs in black and white and in color, and quotes in the margins from speeches and documents. The book on apartheid ends with the triumph of multiracial democracy and with the problems facing a country having to undo centuries of oppression. The book on the Arab-Israeli conflict is an evenhanded account, which ends with the recent negotiations for peace in the region. This is a good series for world history courses, except for one serious drawback: there are no notes, no documentation of sources, no bibliography, and just a brief further reading list; hardly a good model for students' own research papers in junior high and high school. Detailed glossary; time line. More titles are listed in the Series Roundup. --Hazel Rochman
