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Political handbook of the world
224
GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
QUARTERLY
Vol. ~/NO. 2/1989
Political Handbook of the World. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. 1988 Edition. Binghamton, New York: CSA Publications. 1988, 867 pages, $89.95. ISBN O-933199-04-8. ISSN 0913-175X. Reviewed
by Deborah Mongeau*
Political Handbook of the World is an impressive annual compendium of information on political organizations and systems. Entries are arranged alphabetically by country and by international organization within separate sections. Included are entries not only for recognized sovereign states, but also for quasi-sovereign and unrecognized states such as Antarctica, South African Black Homelands, and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The information for each entry accurately reflects the title of the volume. Each country is given a detailed and factual summary on the following: geopolitical background, recent political history, constitution and government structure, foreign relations, current political issues, directory of political parties, political representation and leading members of the legislature and cabinet, directory of news media and intergovernmental representation. Some entries include a line drawn map to illustrate a political dispute. Territories are given individual treatment under the parent country. Entries for international organizations include: purpose of the organization, membership, origin and development, structure and leadership, and current activities. Agencies under a parent organization are given separate treatment within the parent entry. Appendices include a chronology of major political events since 1945 and a table of membership in international organizations. The indexes of geographical, organizational, and personal names enhance access to the main entries. Sturdily bound in one convenient volume, the book should withstand heavy use. The paper is of heavy and opaque stock but no indication is given of the acidic quality. In keeping with the volume’s function as a reference handbook, the editor has made an effort to maintain objectivity. The entries emphasize factual information. Political parties from all spectrums, including terrorist groups, are given the same evenhanded treatment. However, relations with the United States are emphasized for those countries with which the United States has been controversially involved. Timeliness has been scrupulously maintained. Major political developments are current through July I, 1988, for the 1988 edition, and dates for coverage of the rest of the text are listed in the Preface. The format and content of Politicul Handbook are similar to both Europa Yearbook and U S. Department of State’s Background Notes and at first glance would invite comparison. While Background Notes do give a detailed political summary of a country, they can suffer from a lack of timeliness and do not cover most international organizations. Europa Yearbook does cover intemational organizations and includes summaries not only on the political but also on many other aspects of each country. With such comprehensive coverage, politics can receive only a cursory treatment. The Political Handbook, however, has concentrated on one specialty and has done it well. It is an excellent reference source that can serve as a good introduction to, or a succinct summary of, any political situation, nationally and internationally. Recommended for medium to large reference collections or for anyone needing timely political background information. *Deborah Mongeau is Government Rhode Island 0288 1.
Publications
Librarian,
University
of Rhode island
Library,
Kingston,
Soviet Military Power: The Pentagon’s Propaganda Document, Annotated and Corrected. By Tom Gervasi. New York, New York: Vintage, 1988. 159 pages, $14.95. ISBN: O-394-75715-7. LC 87-40280. Reviewed by Herbert Somers* Students and scholars of U.S. defense policy and arms control are no doubt familiar with Sovief Military Power. Issued annually since 198 I by the Department of Defense, ostensibly to validate
GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
QUARTERLY
Vol. ~/NO. 2/1989
Political Handbook of the World. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. 1988 Edition. Binghamton, New York: CSA Publications. 1988, 867 pages, $89.95. ISBN O-933199-04-8. ISSN 0913-175X. Reviewed
by Deborah Mongeau*
Political Handbook of the World is an impressive annual compendium of information on political organizations and systems. Entries are arranged alphabetically by country and by international organization within separate sections. Included are entries not only for recognized sovereign states, but also for quasi-sovereign and unrecognized states such as Antarctica, South African Black Homelands, and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The information for each entry accurately reflects the title of the volume. Each country is given a detailed and factual summary on the following: geopolitical background, recent political history, constitution and government structure, foreign relations, current political issues, directory of political parties, political representation and leading members of the legislature and cabinet, directory of news media and intergovernmental representation. Some entries include a line drawn map to illustrate a political dispute. Territories are given individual treatment under the parent country. Entries for international organizations include: purpose of the organization, membership, origin and development, structure and leadership, and current activities. Agencies under a parent organization are given separate treatment within the parent entry. Appendices include a chronology of major political events since 1945 and a table of membership in international organizations. The indexes of geographical, organizational, and personal names enhance access to the main entries. Sturdily bound in one convenient volume, the book should withstand heavy use. The paper is of heavy and opaque stock but no indication is given of the acidic quality. In keeping with the volume’s function as a reference handbook, the editor has made an effort to maintain objectivity. The entries emphasize factual information. Political parties from all spectrums, including terrorist groups, are given the same evenhanded treatment. However, relations with the United States are emphasized for those countries with which the United States has been controversially involved. Timeliness has been scrupulously maintained. Major political developments are current through July I, 1988, for the 1988 edition, and dates for coverage of the rest of the text are listed in the Preface. The format and content of Politicul Handbook are similar to both Europa Yearbook and U S. Department of State’s Background Notes and at first glance would invite comparison. While Background Notes do give a detailed political summary of a country, they can suffer from a lack of timeliness and do not cover most international organizations. Europa Yearbook does cover intemational organizations and includes summaries not only on the political but also on many other aspects of each country. With such comprehensive coverage, politics can receive only a cursory treatment. The Political Handbook, however, has concentrated on one specialty and has done it well. It is an excellent reference source that can serve as a good introduction to, or a succinct summary of, any political situation, nationally and internationally. Recommended for medium to large reference collections or for anyone needing timely political background information. *Deborah Mongeau is Government Rhode Island 0288 1.
Publications
Librarian,
University
of Rhode island
Library,
Kingston,
Soviet Military Power: The Pentagon’s Propaganda Document, Annotated and Corrected. By Tom Gervasi. New York, New York: Vintage, 1988. 159 pages, $14.95. ISBN: O-394-75715-7. LC 87-40280. Reviewed by Herbert Somers* Students and scholars of U.S. defense policy and arms control are no doubt familiar with Sovief Military Power. Issued annually since 198 I by the Department of Defense, ostensibly to validate