Search for Peace

School Library Journal

Gr 7-12-A dramatic overview of the turbulent history of the UN. After describing Woodrow Wilson's dream of a League of Nations, Jacobs discusses the founding and structure of the UN, covers its peacekeeping efforts over the years, outlines the work of its specialized agencies, and speculates on directions for a ``new world order.'' Although the text is generally accurate, numerous small errors occur. For example, the author says that the SCUD missiles Iraq launched at Israel during the Gulf War carried poisonous gas (they didn't), and he blames ``Arab nationalist groups'' for exacerbating religious tensions, when ``Muslim fundamentalist groups'' would have been more accurate. Also, his discussion of academic arguments about world federalism fails to mention the power shifts from governments to multinational corporations and the breakup of nation-states under pressure from competing ethnic groups. Harold and Geraldine Woods's The United Nations (Watts, 1985; o.p.) is for slightly younger readers and is somewhat dated. Stewart Ross's The United Nations (Bookwright, 1990) is more critical of UN problems and much better illustrated, showing people in action rather than portraits of leaders. In all, Jacobs's book provides an adequate update of the standard works, but doesn't replace them.-Jonathan Betz-Zall, Sno-Isle Regional Library System, Edmonds, WA

Julie Corsaro

Commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations, this volume is intelligent, comprehensive, and well written. Logically organized, the book looks at the history of war and conflict over the centuries before discussing the specific events that led to the formation of the United Nations and critically evaluating its complex structure and specialized agencies. While frank in discussing the peacekeeping difficulties experienced by the UN, Jacobs is optimistic about the possibilities for world peace offered by the waning of the cold war. There is one quibbleIran is incorrectly referred to as an Arab country. Included is the often-mentioned but seldom seen Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as an extensive scholarly bibliography. The dust jacket is attractively designed; captioned photographs were not seen. This important book will give readers a new appreciation of an increasingly visible organization.