America has a long history of sensationalized trials and infamous lawyers and judges, but what is the truth about how our system of jurisprudence really works? "Courts and Trials: A Reference Handbook" makes the subject accessible by presenting an overview of the organization of courts and procedures used in criminal and civil cases, with special emphasis on contemporary developments.

The book analyzes specific issues: methods of selecting judges, the capacity of citizen-jurors to make appropriate decisions, cameras in the courtroom, "three strikes" laws, and the prosecution of...

"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...

The phrase "shop till you drop" has become as American as apple pie and the trend does not appear to be slowing. "Consumer Culture" begins with the history of the consumer culture, which reveals that our fascination with consuming shows not only the hidden significance of everyday items, such as sugar and fashionable clothing, but also reveals the uniqueness of our way of life.

"Consumer Culture" also presents the views of economists and sociologists who see consumption as an expression of freedom. The book covers the social impact of consumption, examining such dubious milestones as...

Gay and Lesbian Issues: A Reference Handbook traces the developments, people, and organizations responsible for bringing homosexual issues to the public's attention. In addition to exploring such controversial issues as gays in the military and child adoption, this title discusses court decisions, pivotal events, and key individuals like Magnus Hirschfeld, Radclyffe Hall, and Harvey Milk, the San Francisco town supervisor who along with Mayor George Moscone was murdered by ex-supervisor Dan White.

What happens when a same-sex couple marrying in Holland returns to the...

A history of dating and sexuality illuminates new trends and problems that were absent just a few decades ago. The most important dating and sexuality issues facing teenagers today are explored, including solutions and implications for educational intervention. The work elucidates how dating unfolds and how sexual attitudes and behaviors impact intimacy. Valuable information about organizations and individuals as well as print and electronic resources are included in this authoritative work.

"Counter-Terrorism: A Reference Handbook" outlines the threat of terrorism and ways to combat it. Written by two expert insiders in the field, this extensive examination surveys a wide range of diverse terrorist groups from the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) to Al Qaeda. It shows how key trends and patterns in domestic and international terrorism such as suicide bombings require counter strategies and tactics including surveillance and reconnaissance.

Case studies of terrorist organizations in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Balkans, and the Caucasus, and profiles of...

Within weeks of the September 11 terrorist attacks, overwhelming majorities in both houses of Congress passed the USA Patriot Act. The act immediately aroused bitter controversy. Some claim it impermissibly infringes on constitutional rights; others argue it is a necessary tool to ensure the security of the American homeland.

Distinguished scholar and prolific author Howard Ball provides the background necessary for a reasoned, historical examination of both positions. He details the threats to America in the last 60 years, emphasizing terrorist acts; examines the temporary surrender of...

Few subjects are as divisive and partisan as the issues surrounding the propagation of the human species. This thorough examination covers the full scope of the debates and offers an up to the minute survey of the controversial technologies that are at the heart of reproductive rights in the United States.

The areas explored range from abortion and sterilization to fetal research and human cloning. The moral, societal, and public policy implications of each subject are examined thoroughly, with emphasis on those areas where cutting-edge technology has raced ahead of public policy,...

Beginning with an overview of activism in the past century from 1900 to 2001, "Environmental Activism: A Reference Handbook" puts organizations and their activities into historical context. This volume offers both an American perspective and a global perspective. It chronicles the major events that sparked environmental actions; aligns individuals with organizations, such as John Muir and the Sierra Club; and presents a balanced treatment of activities in both conservative and liberal political spheres.

Separate chapters identify six eras of activism from 1900 to 2001 and include their...

By 1451, Africans were used as slaves in the Madeiras and Canary Islands. Not until 1502 did they arrive in the New World. All told, nearly 10 million Africans--equal to the year 2000 populations of Virginia and Mississippi combined--were transplanted across the Atlantic as slaves. Despite the termination of the U.S. slave trade in l807 and emancipation after the Civil War, members of a racial couple married as late as l958 were jailed for one year for breaking Virginia's antimiscegenation law.

So where are we today? This book, which provides historical perspective and a discussion of...