From Booklist
Hastedt states that his choice of entries reflects both the "standard coverage" of American foreign policy and his own approach to teaching and research. The articles discuss important figures (Kissinger, Henry), key events (Vietnam War), relevant organizations (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), major legislation (National Security Act, 1947), countries (cuba), and key concepts (brinkmanship). There is coverage of both traditional foreign-policy topics (Cold war, Detente, Diplomacy) and contemporary matters (Environment, Globalization, Women and American foreign policy). However, there are some gaps. For example, in contrast to other recent reference works on American foreign policy, there is no discussion devoted to African Americans or race. Furthermore, the encyclopedia includes entries on some of the nations of the former Soviet Union, including Baltic states and Central Asian republics, but there are no entries on Belarus or Ukraine. Although it is impossible to cover every aspect of American foreign policy, these omissions seem to be a significant oversight.
The work provides a beginning point for the study of American foreign policy. It is less comprehensive than the Encyclopedia of American Foreign Policy (2d ed., Scribner, 2001) and the Encyclopedia of U.S. Foreign Relations (Oxford, 1997), although it is more current, covering topics such as the Patriot Act and the terrorist attacks of September 11. Suitable for high-school, academic, and large public libraries. RBB
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