Nuclear War: Opposing Viewpoints

School Library Journal

ea. vol: illus. bibliogs. index. (Opposing Viewpoints Series). CIP. Greenhaven Pr. Oct. 1985. PLB $11.95; pap. $6.95. Gr 9 Up Three incisive, well-organized guides to controversial topics. Each of these information-packed volumes begins with a quotation about the power of free speech and the importance of examining opposing viewpoints on a given controversy. Each book has a section which includes an essay on distinguishing bias from reason, a list of organizations to contact for more information, an annotated bibliography and an index. Articles in each volume are juxtaposed for maximum comparative impact and include the leading polemicists on both sides of the issue, as well as a number of specialists. The volume on nuclear war concerns itself with the questions of how a nuclear war will begin or if it is even possible. Viewpoints are presented on the questions of surviving a nuclear altercation and the worth of nuclear arms agreements. Each topical section contains from four to eight digested articles in matched pairs. The last topic included in the volume is the legitimacy of ``Star Wars'' defense, certainly a timely inclusion. The inclusion of so many aides to reading, such as questions at the beginning of each article to help focus readers, make these particularly useful for students of contemporary issues. Steve Matthews, Foxcroft School, Middleburg, Va.