Book Description

A fascinating exploration of the special land of India, highlighting itsgeography, mountains, jungles, deserts, and monsoons. ... Read more

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An excellent summary of the rise and fall of the U.S.S.R.
The excellent Cornerstones of Freedom series has been expanding beyond American History to include such topics as "The Fall of the Soviet Union." Actually, one of the key values of Miles Harvey's book is that it looks at much more than the end of the Soviet Union. Harvey provides a concise look at the creation of the Soviet Union with the Revolution of 1917 and provides a history of the country that focuses on the key elements that would come into play when Mikhail Gorbachev became the Soviet leader. The book does not end with Gorbachev's resignation on December 25, 1991, the day the Soviet Union officially came to an end. Harvey covers the major problems faced by the Russian government, which will certainly give young readers an adequate background for what they read in the media about what is happening there now that Yeltsin has been replaced.

"The Fall of the Soviet Union" covers the better part of the 20th century and undoubtedly provides more details and a more cohesive picture of what happened than students are likely to find in their World History textbook. The book is illustrated with black & white photographs for the period from Lenin to Stalin, and color photographs for the years of Gorbachev and Yeltsin. The scope of the book is nicely captured in the frontpiece photograph of a paint splattered statue to Lenin about to be toppled from its pedestal. ... Read more

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MAGNIFICENT
WOW!! This book is incredible, when you buy it you will not want to let it go. This encyclopedia is ilustrated with very beautiful color images of all things related to ancient history and society. This book talks about the paleolithic, china, japan, incas, maya, greek, roman, egiptian culture and even more. Each segment of the book concerning one of the culture talks about every aspect: from their food, religion, clothing, jewelry, crops, rituals, animals, music, instruments. Well you name it, you're going to get it. At the bottom of the pages you will see easy to do projects for kids and even for adults concerning that culture. For example, the book teaches you to make a musical instrument just like the one the egiptians used or how to make a paper mache mask that resembles the incas or mayas or how to make an armor just like the roman soldiers among other great projects. You will not make a mistake in buying this book. It is fun and very educational. ... Read more

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A comprehensive look at the disputed land of Tibet
"World in Conflict" is an interesting series because it looks a specific conflicts around the world today in which people of one ethnic or religious group are at odds.The ideal is to inform young readers about the conflicts, strife, and violence in hotspots around the world that keep popping up on the news.The series covers old disputes (Northern Ireland) and relative new conflicts (Cyprus), as well as those that are peaceful (Quebec) versus those that are embroiled in war (Bosnia), looking at the history of these conflicts and their continuing effects on the people of these regions of the world.

Within that context "Tibet: Disputed Land" begins with what we hear on the news about human rights abuses in Tibet and the "Free Tibet" rallies to look at the complexity of the land dispute between China and Tibet that goes back more than a thousand years.Historically, Chinese troops have restored order in Tibet after foreign invasions, but have always allowed Tibet to remain autonomous.However, when the People's Republic of China marched into Tibet in 1950 the Communists took over control of Tibet's government, economy, and natural resources.Tibetans responded with a series of armed insurrections and mass protests, which resulted in the Dalai Lama fleeing to India in 1959.

There are several juvenile series that have volumes devoted to the country of Tibet, quite useful in the study of geography that has to do with foreign cultures, but they only touch upon the Chinese occupation as one of many aspects.In this volume Peter Kizilos provides an extended introduction to the main issues and the major players in the conflict.The four chapters of "Tibet: Disputed Land" look at the recent conflicts and its events, the roots of the conflict, the present conflict under Chinese rules, and a look at what is being done to solve the problem.While the look at the history of the conflict is interesting it is the last chapter that should impress young readers the most as it deals with the wide range of efforts to apply pressure, impose sanctions, and take other steps to either free Tibet or at least preserve its unique culture.

Granted, a book like this is essentially out of date as soon as it is published, given how quickly things change in the world today, but the Internet is available for filling in gaps and getting up to date information.Still, Kizilos provides a comprehensive look at the conflict through 1999, when the Tibet Youth Congress staged a hunger strike at the UN building in Geneva, Switzerland, providing a balanced account.You do not have to agree with China's position, but certainly Kizilos helps you understand what that position happens to be.The book is illustrated with photographs and maps and every chapter includes sidebars that provide additional details about topics like the Refugee Crisis, Tibetan Feudalism, and the role of the Panchen Lama. ... Read more

Book Description

The site is China, millions of years ago, where dinosaur hatchlings emerge from their eggs, then, in successive illustrations, grow to gigantic size. Death comes years later when they are caught in a flood. Final illustrations show their bones being discovered in our own era and being mounted for display in a museum.

Original pictorial treatments of places and events in history make these books as entertaining as they are informative for young readers. Each title covers a single theme with a series of time-sequence illustrations that show how one location has changed over the course of history. Each illustration covers a large two-page spread. Tabs on page edges provide identifying historical dates for each picture, and have labels to explain details in the illustration. A Glossary at the back of each book defines relevant terms.

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A multicultural winner!
This book delivers a keen insight to the impact of micro-lending as a positive force for change. The story tells how a young woman and four of her friends, with seed money borrowed from an innovative bank in Bangladesh, change their lives by starting their own businesses. It works on many levels including multiculturalism, women's rights, capitalism and entrepreneurship. Based on the real success of the Grameen Bank, this is the kind of story that all western children need to understand in an ever growing global village. This book has recently been listed as one of the Best Children's Books of the Year from Bank Street College and also received a 2003 Skipping Stones Honor Award in the Multicultural and International Books category. ... Read more