(4) YA Modern World Nations series. These volumes do a credible job introducing the history, geography, contemporary political situation, and future prospects of each nation. Students may be interested to learn about the economy of enterprising Finland or the changes in Poland over the last decades. Though the texts aren't particularly engaging, the information will be useful for report writers. Photographs (some more pertinent than others) add interest. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Modern World Nations titles: England, Poland, and Finland.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(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 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 Nations series. This volume offers a formulaic but comprehensive look at a country that has gone through major changes. The text touches on Vietnam's geography and history, as well as the current economic expansion into free-market strategies and the country's ethnic mix. Many photographs and illustrations are included, as well as "Facts at a Glance" and a timeline (through 2005). Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA Modern World Nations series. In addition to the usual fare--geography, history, economy, and culture--these formulaic books focus on issues specific to a particular country. For example, Bosnia highlights the national initiative to overcome ethnic and religious conflict. Each book contains color maps and illustrations. France includes a glossary. Reading list, timeline. Ind. Review covers these Modern World Nations titles: Norway, France, The Netherlands, and Bosnia and Herzegovinia.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) YA Modern World Nations series. These formulaic books, supplemented with color and black-and-white illustrations, each look at an African country emerging from centuries of colonization, racism, and oppression to confront conflicts drawn along racial, tribal, and religious lines. There is sufficient information here for school reports. Kenya lists websites. "Facts at a Glance," maps, reading list, timeline. Ind. Review covers these Modern World Nations titles: South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(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