People Around the World [Hardcover]

Antony Mason (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 2002

People Around the World is the book that everyone will want to read. It gives a truly global perspective on the kaleidoscope of peoples and cultures that make up our world. Divided into eight chapters - Arctic and Subarctic, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Western and Southern Asia, Eastern Asia, Australia and the Pacific - each chapter will be broken down into smaller sections (e.g. Northern Africa, Eastern Africa, Central Africa, Western Africa and Southern Africa). This fascinating book takes the reader on a journey through all the continents of the world, stopping off along the way to meet the people, and especially the children, who live in the different countries. There are particular features on clothing, traditions, ceremonies, religion, language, education, food and employment. People Around the World uses superb, evocative photographs of adults and children to illustrate their everyday lives. By examining the lives of children and adults, People Around the World cultivates a global perspective on the people and cultures that make up our planet. By ensuring both the text and the photographs focus primarily on children, this book really demonstrates just what life is like for different children everywhere. A reference section at the end of each chapter will provide information about all the countries in that chapter including capital city, area in square kilometres, population, population density, life expectancy, religions, languages, adult literacy rate and currency.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-This volume presents the cultural, social, and economic aspects of selected countries and explains the geographical reasons for their uniqueness. At the same time, the author emphasizes the interaction of world cultures, their influences upon each other, and the inevitability of globalization. The chapters are arranged by continent, each prefaced with a map. Within each one, several nations and/or regions are examined in sections of varying length. For example, for Asia, 7 countries and 4 regions are examined, 14 pages are devoted to information and photos of South America in general and another 2 to Brazil, while the continent of Africa is broken down into 5 areas. The U.S. receives the most attention. Brief historical background is offered for the chosen places and large color photographs depict urban and country scenes, technological achievements, or cultural aspects (often showing a traditional costume). At the end of each chapter, boxes note important statistics for each country and include a small color picture of the national flag. The writing is clear and engaging and the statistical information is useful. There is a seven-page index and an extensive acknowledgments page for the photographs, but no sources for the statistics. While the book will be of limited use for reports, it's a browser's delight.
Marlene Gawron, formerly at Orange County Library, Orlando, FL
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

This visually lavish, oversized volume is designed to give elementary- and middle-school students information about people on every continent. Large, colorful photographs, many featuring children, are to be found on almost every page. Although some of the concepts are quite sophisticated, such as globalization, Mason has managed to discuss them on the level of the intended audience. Unfamiliar terms are explained within the text; native words are italicized and explained.

The book is arranged by continent, with a color topographical map and several boxed facts at the beginning of each chapter. Each chapter is then divided into smaller geographical areas. This division is done by country for the larger nations or by region encompassing several smaller countries. Coverage in these sections includes history, geography, economics, cultural traditions, daily life, sports, and entertainment. Each chapter ends with a "Facts and Figures" section--quick reference information on every country including capital city, population and density, square mileage, life expectancy, religion and language, adult literacy rate, and currency.

The strength of this reference is its beautiful photography. All pictures are captioned, offering additional information to the reader. Unfortunately, some captions are so close to each other that younger readers may have trouble determining which picture they belong with, and one photograph showing a U.S. military amphibious landing seems incorrectly captioned with information about President Bush. Text is sometimes printed over a picture, making it difficult to read.

In trying to appeal to the younger reader, the author occasionally lapses into generalities and glosses over many of the world's problems. The volume is to be commended for its breadth of coverage, but 250 pages does not allow for much depth, making this more suitable for the browser than for the researcher. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kingfisher (September 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753407183
• ISBN-13: 978-0753407189
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,613,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars People Around AMERICA, October 30, 2007

By 

M. Spano (Northern Calif.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: People Around the World (Hardcover)

It may be just me, but when I buy a book called "People around the World", I kind of expect it to be at least EQUALLY representative of the world's different people. I did not expect to read 21 pages on the US, only 6 on ALL of Central America, 11 on ALL of South America, and 5 pages on China, etc. I am giving 3 stars instead of 1 or 2 because it does have some great photographs, which has me on the fence on whether or not I will end up returning it. I am just pretty amazed at the focus on a country with only a few hundred years under it's belt getting such a strong emphasis when Korea (N & S) get a whole 2 pages. It's quite blatant.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This package will appeal to the entire family, January 11, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: People Around the World (Hardcover)

This package will appeal to the entire family, using inviting photos of adults and children to display the lives of families around the globe. Pair color photos and geographic introductions with a lively text offering in-depth cultural understanding and you have a package which is attractive and fun.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for kids and adults!, January 4, 2007

By 

Diana Joyce Jones "DJ, International Programs... (Lamoni, IA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: People Around the World (Hardcover)

I really was very happy to receive this item. It is a wonderful book with lots of great photos and information. This is an ideal book for teachers to have in their classrooms and for families to have at home!