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Library Journal Review
Some 160 issues, ideas, policies, events, and the like are covered by Kronenwetter, the author of several books on various social issues, whose purpose here "is to provide, in a single source, the information and explanations necessary for a basic understanding of the problems and controversies that have faced and continue to face the United States." Emphasis is on the 20th century. Entries, averaging about 700 words in length, are arranged alphabetically, with cross references, an index, and usually one bibliographic reference. The writing is clear, and longer entries are subdivided; where there are two sides to an issue, arguments are presented in a balanced way. Still, this work is too selective in coverage to serve effectively as an encyclopedia for a subject as broad as 20th-century American social issues. Although it offers an introduction to a fairly wide selection of topics in the field, many relevant topics are omitted. A much more comprehensive source is the six-volume Encyclopedia of Social Issues (Marshall Cavendish, 1997). Kronenwetter's encyclopedia will provide a good starting point for many student papers and as such is recommended especially for high school and public libraries and for academic libraries serving undergraduates.Mary Jane Brustman, SUNY at Albany Libs. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 UpÄThis volume provides information on controversial issues students are likely to confront in the news, at school, or around the dinner table. Entries are arranged from A to Z and include topics such as abortion, child abuse, drug testing, gun control, Head Start, Roe v. Wade, same-sex marriages, secondhand smoke, and sexual-predator laws. The well-balanced articles provide several viewpoints for controversial issues. The entry on Ebonics, for instance, presents definitions and explanations of the linguistic, social, and educational issues involved, as well as the specifics of the controversy surrounding the Oakland, CA, Board of Education, showing the perspectives of both the critics and apologists for the Board's resolution to treat Ebonics as a separate language. Although the author deals with landfills and Superfund, there is almost a complete absence of entries on environmental controversies such as energy conservation, emissions regulations, global warming, population-control issues, or wildlife conservation/endangered species problems. Unfortunately, only a few of the articles offer lists of further reading. Still, this clearly written book is a good starting point for students who need an overview. It might help them to identify and clarify ideas before doing research in SIRS "Social Issues Resource" series or CQ Researcher.ÄJudith V. Lechner, Auburn University, AL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
CHOICE Review
Designed to give general readers a brief introduction to a broad range of social issues that have been important in the US in the 20th century, this title will be useful in public and undergraduate libraries. Entries range from historical trends like "Family Farms" to sensational events like "Leopold and Loeb Case," and include descriptions of the issue, brief historical backgrounds, and suggestions for additional reading. The work intends to serve as a starting point for information on particular issues and probably will not be needed by libraries that already have Internet access and a general reference collection. K. Fones-Wolf; West Virginia University
Booklist Review
In this single source, students, librarians, historians, and other readers interested in twentieth-century American social affairs will find articles on more than 160 issues, events, ideas and controversies. Topics covered include civil rights, education, the environment, the family, health, the law, the media, politics and government, religion, social welfare, and sports. Entries are arranged alphabetically by subject. Each entry introduces and examines an issue's historical context, its relevance to modern society, and the arguments it raises. Although the focus of this volume is on the twentieth century, some entries deal primarily with previous centuries and are included because of the perspective they provide; examples are gospel of wealth and Social Darwinism. Most entries conclude with a brief list of further readings, and both these lists and the bibliography include titles from the mid-1990s. Access is aided by an index, as well as see and see also references. In his preface, Kronenwetter states that the volume is not intended to provide in-depth coverage or academically advanced information on any of the topics covered. Also, readers looking for statistical information would be better served by a statistical compendium or index. Statistical information was not included because it goes out of date so quickly. Readers looking for visual aids such as photographs, maps, charts, and graphs will be disappointed. Formidable competition is provided by Marshall Cavendish's six-volume Encyclopedia of Social Issues [RBB Je 1 & 15 97]. Considerably broader in scope than the ABC-CLIO volume, its practical value is far greater. There is no doubt that the Marshall Cavendish set will be the preferred reference source on social issues for both college and university students, as well as general adult readers. Nonetheless, the Board concedes that the Encyclopedia of Modern American Social Issues will be the source of choice for high-school students and those looking for a basic understanding of some of the more visible social issues of our time. (Reviewed April 1, 1998)
