From School Library Journal
Gr 5-10--Two series entries that emphasize aspects of everyday life. Each volume opens with a pithy, half-page summary and then goes on to discuss the geography, history, government, and economy of the region. The last half of each book considers lifestyles, religion, language, arts, leisure, festivals, and foods, including a recipe for a typical dish. Lebanon presents a nuanced picture of a war-torn country struggling to reestablish itself as a nation. Sheehan explains how its Arab identity is coupled with "confessionalism," a system whereby people identify themselves by religion. The author also manages to defuse the term "jihad," describing it as not only "holy war" against an enemy, but also as an individual's struggle against baser instincts within. Jordan contains lively, informative passages as well, including sections that quote poetry, explain the role of emotional speech, or point out differing notions of personal space. Too often, however, statements seem opinionated. Do all wealthy Jordanians scorn native handicrafts? Is it true that Jordanian men "hang out" in the streets while women are at home "working hard"? It's not that what South says is necessarily inaccurate, but rather that the comments are sweeping and impressionistic. This title would be best used in tandem with other more strictly factual accounts. Overall, both books are lively and well written. Full-color photographs abound, page design includes lots of white space, and interesting sidebars break up the texts. "Quick Notes" present the basic facts about each country on a single page. Unfortunately, maps are few and poorly labeled.
Ellen D. Warwick, Winchester Public Library, MA
Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
