Each volume of the Library in a Book series is carefully designed to be a complete first-stop resource for research on important issues and events, many of which strongly affect the United States. Clearly written and organized, the books give the researcher an objective overview of the subject and a wealth of information in a variety of formats, as well as an extensive section on additional sources -- from other books to videos to web sites. Each book includes: -- A historical survey of the topic -- A chronology of significant events -- Information on court cases and/or significant...

The phrase affirmative action was first used by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, and it has been a contentious issue ever since. This title aims to serve as a starting point for research on this topic. It provides a contemporary summary of its legal, political and social aspects.

The news media is a 24-hour presence, endlessly pumping images and information through the air, beaming it down from space, transmitting it through cables and phone lines across the Internet. Out of this torrent of information, all delivered in about the same tone of importance, it is sometimes difficult to sift through and determine what really is significant. From newspapers and magazines to radios, televisions, and the Internet, today's consumers often rely on the news media for unbiased, reliable information on current events. However, the news media is an industry that does much more...

Drug Abuse explores all aspects of this complex and important issue in an unbiased and well-organized manner. It identifies specific drugs and covers the history of U.S. drug regulation, current approaches to treating addiction, and the way drug abuse has shaped public policy. This valuable reference examines laws such as the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act and the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, court cases such as Leary v. United States, and the role various federal agencies play in regulating drugs.

This text deals with issues related to the topic of campaign and election reform. It examines questions such as how candidates raise campaign funds and what contributors expect from them in return and whether there should be legal limits on how much money candidates can raise or spend.

Smoking remains the number one preventable cause of death in the US. Pampel (sociology, Institute of Behavioral Science, U. of Colorado) traces the rise of the tobacco industry and the current legal onslaughts on it. His useful guide includes government regulations, landmark court cases, resources,

Although media coverage of clergy sexual misconduct has focused on Catholic priests, sexual misconduct among clergy of all faiths also occurs. Documenting this devastating problem in many faiths, this book examines all facets of clergy sexual misconduct, within a historical context.

Virtually every aspect of the energy situation is hotly debated. Will competition for energy cause new wars or economic collapses? What form and degree of regulation can best provide energy for everyone at fair prices? How can the environmental effects of supplying and using energy be controlled? "Energy Supply" discusses these questions and more in a highly effective format.

Is membership in a group ever a sufficient reason for special investigation, or do such actions always violate civil liberties? Is racial profiling effective in crime prevention? Racial Profiling addresses these and other related questions and explores the highly charged controversies that they reflect. It provides an overview, reference resource, and research guide that will interest not only students, teachers, and librarians but also activists, policymakers, participants in the criminal justice system, and members of the public interested in issues of race and crime.

"Nuclear Power" outlines the history of nuclear power production in the United States and the issues that arise from the use of nuclear power in the production of energy. Providing solid, valuable information, it traces this issue from the past to the present. A fully loaded one-volume reference, this book is ideal for anyone interested in nuclear power, including policy-makers, administrators, attorneys, and advocacy groups, as well as teachers, students, parents, and the general public.