(4) YA Groundwork Guides series. Like other titles in the series, this volume is both ambitious and unapologetically polemical. Beginning with a historical overview, including the political exclusion of women and minorities, the text examines democracy right up to present-day conflicts. The scope of his topic forces Laxer to sacrifice nuance for generalities. Nonetheless, the information offered makes a good foundation for further research. Reading list, timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(3) YA Groundwork Guides series. This dense and unabashedly strong-viewed introduction to the history of oil begins with the first oil wells of the mid-nineteenth century and ends with a discussion of global warming. By the final chapter, readers have traveled through the oil regions of the world and are left to contemplate, "who will consume the last barrel of oil?" Reading list, timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(4) YA Groundwork Guides series. This well-researched text describes the different empires that have existed throughout history, paying particular attention to how the American "empire" of today evolved from the Roman and British models. Though the author's personal biases are overly evident ("the Bush administration...in clear violation of international law"), this is a unique offering for researchers. Maps, sidebars, and source notes extend the text. Reading list, timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman