Books in Contemporary Issues series

A unique exploration into the fascinating world of human and technological espionage, its contributions to national security, and its vital role in global politics.Espionage: A Reference Handbook illuminates the murky underworld of espionage and counterespionage efforts in the United States and around the world. Combining an academic treatment of the causes and forces that shape espionage with narrative accounts of how spying and spy catching are conducted, this is the only work of its kind to cover Benedict Arnold, J. Edgar Hoover, the CIA, the KGB, and Jay Pollard, all in one volume.Though special attention is focused on the American experience, British, Soviet, and Israeli cases are presented, along with recent world events of terrorism and ethnic conflict, providing a unique comparative perspective on the international forces behind spying.• Includes an annotated chronology of key events surrounding 20th-century espionage including individual cases of espionage, organizational developments, and important domestic and international events that provide a context for understanding espionage• Provides a selected annotated bibliography of resources arranged by format: books, journal articles, government documents, and electronic sources

A concise, authoritative guide to civil liberties issues in American society, from freedom of speech and religious liberty to due process, equal protection, and privacy.Written for a general audience, this work clearly defines civil liberties and explains their legal basis in the Bill of Rights, state constitutions, legal statutes, and administrative regulations. It reviews the subject's history from 1917 to the present, and covers the full range of civil liberties issues: the First Amendment, due process, equal protection, and privacy.In addition to extensive material on past controversies such as the Scopes trial and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, the book discusses important contemporary issues such as censorship on the Internet and drug testing. The coverage also examines conflicting civil liberties issues such as hate speech, which pits one person's freedom of expression against another's right to equal protection. The book contains extensive bibliographic references to books and articles and a long list of website links to organizations active on all sides of today's civil liberties controversies.20 photos, a list of further resources (print and electronic), and a Chronology

The U.S. government has enacted many laws in the name of protecting the environment. While the motives behind some regulation may have been honorable, the practical applications often mean higher taxes or loss of jobs. Though many environmentalists believe preservation is worth any cost, other interested parties are convinced that less drastic solutions exist.

"According to current statistics, about 40 million Americans currently live in poverty. These individuals face many challenges, from an inability to afford food and shelter to greater health problems due to lack of proper care and nutrition. The US government provides a variety of programs to help the poorest Americans. Yet people are divided on the best ways to address this social problem. The merits and drawbacks of various approaches are discussed in this book." -- Back cover.

"For nearly 250 years, the United States has been a place of refuge for immigrants from war-torn or poverty stricken countries in order to create better lives for themselves and their families. The history of American immigration shows that these people and their descendants have contributed greatly to American society. However, immigrant groups have often had to overcome hostility and distrust as they assimilated into the United States. This book discusses some of the major issues of American immigration today"--Back cover.

Medical science has made amazing advances in recent years. New treatments for diseases and advances in genetics have made it possible for Americans to live longer, healthier lives. However, these medical advances have been accompanied by a huge increase in the cost of healthcare, which has made it unaffordable to many Americans. This book explores major issues in health care today, including the pros and cons of the single-payer health care system, the legalization of medical marijuana, and price controls on pharmaceuticals. The Contemporary Issues series gives young readers a better understanding of major social issues today. Each book examines four key questions related to a controversial topic, with chapters that detail the most commonly heard arguments on both sides of the discussion. The arguments contained within are supported by data from experts as well as nonpartisan reports, allowing the reader to make his or her own informed decision on the issue.