Books with author John Ziff

Cuba has been much in the news recently. The 2015 restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States generated big headlines. So, too, did the 2016 death of longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Likewise, the 2017 decision by outgoing U.S. president Barack Obama to end a decades-old policy by which Cubans who reached American soil were automatically granted permanent-resident status. For readers interested in learning more about the country behind the headlines, this book is a good place to start. It offers an overview of Cuba, exploring the islands geography, history, economy, government, people, major cities, and more. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in history, a speech, or an instructional video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are p

"For Cubans, it seems, music and dance are only slightly less essential to life than breathing and eating. On the Caribbean island, no one needs an excuse to dance to the rich and varied rhythms of Cuban music. This book traces the development of Cuban popular music and dance styles. It chronicles how the meeting and melting of different cultural traditions on the island--particularly Spanish and West African--created a distinctive new music called son. In turn, son would be the foundation for a host of other dance-music genres that developed in Cuba. And, as the book shows, Cuban music and dance have had a significant influence beyond the island's shores"--Back cover.

On New Years Day 1959, Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista fled the island as a revolutionary army advanced on the capital city of Havana. Exuberant celebrations erupted in Havana and elsewhere. The corrupt and repressive Batista was almost universally hated, and the leader of the revolution that unseated him had promised to bring justice, freedom, and democracy to Cuba. That leader, a charismatic young lawyer named Fidel Castro, would rule the islandaided by a small inner circle that included his brother Ralfor the next five decades. The Castro regime could claim some undeniable achievements. It dramatically improved circumstances for the poorest Cubans. It improved and expanded public education. It created a first-rate health care system that guarantees free medical care to all citizens. But, in the view of criticsand over the years the Castros would acquire manysuch achievements were more than offset by the regimes failures. The Castro government wreaked havoc with Cubas economy, stifling development and plunging the country into periodic crises. And, even worse, the Castros proved just as repressive as Fulgencio Batista had been. This book presents an overview of the controversial Castro regime. It details the governments major actions and policies and examines what life has been like for ordinary Cubans as a result. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These wo

Just in time for the 2016 presidential election, American Politics Today will give readers a current glimpse into our government and its working. From exploring the modern political parties and branches, to fundrasing and processes, readers will be able to develop and deepen their understanding of the functioning of the U.S. government. In 1988, the Democratic Party's candidate lost the presidential election for the fifth time in the previous six elections. A group called the Democratic Leadership Council said that the party had alienated the electorate by supporting government programs intended to eliminate poverty and achieve racial justice. Democrats, the DLC insisted, had to position themselves toward the political center. Doing just that, Bill Clinton won the 1992 presidential race. This book focuses on the ups and downs of the Democratic Party in the decades since then. It examines the party's changing base of support, as well as the issues that animate rank-and-file Democrats today. The book also takes a look at the growing rift between the party's centrist wing, which broadly accepts Clinton's famous pronouncement that the era of big government is over, and its progressive wing, which advocates a renewed government commitment to the promotion of economic and social equality.

The states of Great Lakes region have connected cultures and industries for most of American history. Illinois, a large and dynamic state, has produced numerous leaders in many fields, including presidents Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama. Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, is said to have been the stomping grounds of the legendary giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan. Wisconsin has the reputation of being one of Americas most progressive states. This book in the LETS EXPLORE THE STATES series provides information about these three important states, from their geography, history, and government to their economy, population demographics, and major cities. Each title in this series contains color photos, maps, flags, state seals, graphics and back matter including: an index, further reading lists for books and internet resources, and a series glossary. Mason Crests editorial team has placed Key Icons to Look for throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are then used in the prose throughout that chapter, and are emboldened, so that the reader is able to reference back to the definitions- building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the readers comprehension of the chapter they have j