(4) YA Modern World Nations series. These books discuss each country's geography, history, politics, government, and culture, in addition to examining its challenges and possible solutions. The volumes are aimed at report writers and, though the texts aren't particularly engaging, they will assist students in completing their assignments. Photographs help break up the pages. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Modern World Nations titles: Honduras and Colombia.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA Modern World Nations series. This volume covers geography, history, and the future of the country; information about the Panama Canal is found in various chapters, ensuring that report writers will have to use the index while also giving readers a more comprehensive overview of the country. Occasional photographs help break up the dense text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA Geography of Extreme Environments series. This series focuses on the geographies, climates, ecosystems, and social histories of these unique regions. Chapters on the native peoples attempt to disprove stereotypes, and those on European influences try to dispel misconceptions about the regions' histories. In trying to engage readers, Gritzner can sound condescending. Many maps, charts, and photographs are included. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Geography of Extreme Environments titles: Deserts, Polar Regions, and The Tropics.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) YA Geography of Extreme Environments series. This series focuses on the geographies, climates, ecosystems, and social histories of these unique regions. Chapters on the native peoples attempt to disprove stereotypes, and those on European influences try to dispel misconceptions about the regions' histories. In trying to engage readers, Gritzner can sound condescending. Many maps, charts, and photographs are included. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Geography of Extreme Environments titles: Deserts, Polar Regions, and The Tropics.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) YA Modern World Nations series. This book provides a very cursory glance at United States history, government, politics, and culture, heralding the nation's ethnic and geographic diversity. Though the writing isn't particularly engaging, report writers may glean some useful tidbits of information. Photographs of varying pertinence supplement the facts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA Geography of Extreme Environments series. This series focuses on the geographies, climates, ecosystems, and social histories of these unique regions. Chapters on the native peoples attempt to disprove stereotypes, and those on European influences try to dispel misconceptions about the regions' histories. In trying to engage readers, Gritzner can sound condescending. Many maps, charts, and photographs are included. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Geography of Extreme Environments titles: Deserts, Polar Regions, and The Tropics.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) YA Modern World Nations series. With a heavy emphasis on facts and figures, these volumes demonstrate positive economic and political progress made in recent decades by Germany and Portugal. Cultural information is sparse, especially in Germany. The books include maps and photos (some of which are washed out) and will serve as basic report resources. Germany is revised and updated and includes a glossary. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Modern World Nations titles: Portugal and Germany.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA Modern World Nations series. With their emphasis on geography, history, and contemporary political and economic problems, these volumes are suitable for report writers. Some attention is given to daily life and culture, but the series tends to focus on development issues and conflicts, with the authors sometimes offering their own solutions. The photographs vary in quality. A "Facts at a Glance" section is included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Modern World Nations titles: Afghanistan, Iraq, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Israel.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA Modern World Cultures series. Dense texts touch on the customs, geography, history, language, and religions of countries in each region. The presentations also discuss economic and political challenges facing many of the countries. Serviceably captioned color and black-and-white photographs and detailed maps support the texts. Latin contains a reading list, North a bibliography. Timeline. Ind. Review covers these Modern World Cultures titles: Latin America and North Africa and the Middle East.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) YA Modern World Cultures series. Dense texts touch on the customs, geography, history, language, and religions of countries in each region. The presentations also discuss economic and political challenges facing many of the countries. Serviceably captioned color and black-and-white photographs and detailed maps support the texts. Latin contains a reading list, North a bibliography. Timeline. Ind. Review covers these Modern World Cultures titles: Latin America and North Africa and the Middle East.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) YA Modern World Nations series. The authors use their concept of a "cycle of frustration" as a theme throughout this competent though formulaic study of a country plagued by poverty, political problems, and its colonial history. History, economy, government, geography and culture (pre- and post-colonization) are all covered. Photos of varying quality illustrate the text. Reading list, timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA Modern World Nations series. These formulaic books discuss climate, geography, history, government, economy, and culture in clearly written chapters divided into manageable subheadings and illustrated with photographs. Iran's and North Korea's strained relations with other countries are discussed, along with internal challenges that face each. Iran and Korea include bibliographies. Map, reading list, timeline. Ind. [Review covers these Modern World Nations titles: Iran, Kazakhstan, India, and North Korea.]

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) YA Modern World Nations series. Although written to formula, these studies solidly detail each nation's history, geography, politics, and people. Georgia, in particular, helps fill an information gap and provides a realistic picture of how that country is dealing with issues such as government corruption since gaining independence in 1991. Each book in this series is illustrated with color photos; Austria and Georgia contain glossaries. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Modern World Nations titles: Austria, Scotland, and Republic of Georgia.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta