Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History: Governments (Gale Encyclopedia of World History) [Hardcover]

Gale Group (Other Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 141443152X | ISBN-13: 978-1414431529 | Publication Date: February 27, 2008 | Edition: 1

The Gale Encyclopedia of World History consists of a series of 2-volume encyclopedias that provides a broad overview of one particular topic throughout world history, from ancient times until today, with special emphasis placed on how the topic - whether war or government and politics - effects, and is affected by, political, economic and social change in societies. Each set is organized chronologically, by era or event, into 10-30 chapters. Each chapter features an introductory essay on the era or event followed by entries grouped under consistent subheads, such as introduction, major figures, major events and aftermath, that encourage comparisons across eras, events and even centuries. Each set consists of approximately 400 entries, including subject entries and biographies; 300-350 images, including maps; a chronology; a glossary; sources for further study; and a general index.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7–10—These independent surveys chronologically cover similar territory from distinctly different angles. Governments profiles 270 political entities, beginning with the rise of Sumerian city-states, closing with the establishment of Montenegro as an independent state in 2006, and in between covering all of the current members of the United Nations plus major empires, confederations, and dynasties. The articles are punctuated by nine overview essays. Distinct governments that occupied similar geographic areas (such as Nazi Germany and the German Democratic Republic) are given separate entries. Each article opens with a brief description of the type of government, then traces relevant background, details structural elements and political parties (if any), and closes with an account of either the entity's downfall or issues that it is currently facing. War focuses on significant conflicts from the Assyrian conquests in the 9th century B.C.E. to "The Global War on Terrorism." Entries open with a series of short biographies, go on to describe major battles, highlight "Key Elements of Warcraft," and close with an analysis of the conflict's enduring impact. The writing in War is lively, occasionally shading into melodramatic: the Assyrian Empire flourished for centuries before "imploding spectacularly, perishing under the booted heel of vengeful conquerors…." Both sets are illustrated with a perfunctory assortment of low-contrast black-and-white pictures and often-hard-to-read maps, but do feature generous multimedia resource lists and full indexes in each volume. Being both narrow in approach and high in price, these will be most suitable for world-class subject collections.—John Peters, New York Public Library
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 900 pages
• Publisher: Gale; 1 edition (February 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141443152X
• ISBN-13: 978-1414431529
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.6 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,104,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)