S. Benson – History behind the Headlines. Conflicts of Worldwide (6 Volumes)

Автор: S. Benson
Название книги: History behind the Headlines. Conflicts of Worldwide (6 Volumes)
Формат: PDF
Жанр: Прочая историческая литература
Качество: Изначально компьютерное, E-book

For important background information on long-term ethnic, religious, political, territorial and economic conflicts between nations today, there isn't a more targeted ongoing print series than History Behind the Headlines. Each biannual volume includes approximately 30 entries arranged geographically by continent, then by country, then chronologically by start date of the conflict. The entries are complete with overview essays, photographs, maps, charts, primary document excerpts, short biographies, current status and much more.

Selection and Arrangement
This volume of History Behind the Headlines covers
thirty conflicts—including ethnic, religious,
economic, political, territorial, and environmental
conflicts. The topics were chosen following
an extensive review of the conflicts covered in newspapers,
magazines, and on television. A large number
of potential conflicts were identified. Advisors—
including academic experts, high school social study
teachers, and librarians—prioritized the list, identifying
those conflicts that generate the most questions.
Topics were then selected to provide a regional
balance and to cover various types of conflicts.
The conflicts covered are complex. Each essay
discusses multiple aspects of the conflict, including
economic and social aspects to religious conflicts,
the interests of other countries, international organizations,
and businesses, and the international implications
of the conflict. The entries are arranged
alphabetically by a major country, region, organization,
or person in the conflict. Where this might
not be clear in the table of contents, the keyword
is placed in parentheses in front of the title.
Content
Each essay begins with a brief summary of the
current situations as well as some of the major factors
in the conflict. Each essay contains the following
sections:
• Summary of the headline event. An overview
of the contemporary conflict that has brought
the issue to public attention. For example, the
arrest and conviction of Ocalan by Turkey in
1999 or the battle over Elian Gonzalez.
• Historical Background. The “Historical
Background” is the heart of the essay. The author
provides the historical context to the contemporary
conflict, summarizing the arc of the
conflict through history. Each essay tells the
“story” of the conflict, capturing important
events, transfers of power, interventions,
treaties, and more. The author summarizes the
changes in the conflict over time, describes the
role of major figures, whether individuals, political
organizations, or religious organizations,
and provides an overview of their positions now
and in the past. Where appropriate the author
may draw comparisons with similar situations
in the country or region in the past. In addition,
the author often attempts to put the conflict
in the context of global politics and to describe
the impact of the conflict on people
around the world. Finally, the author may
touch on how historians’ understanding of the
conflict has changed over time.
• Recent History and the Future. The final section
brings the conflict up-to-date, and may
offer some projections for future resolution.
Each essay is followed by a brief bibliography
that offers some suggestions of resources for further
research. In addition, brief biographies may
accompany the essay, profiling major figures. Sidebars
may provide statistical information, a quote
from a speech, a selection from a primary source
document (such as a treaty), a selection from a book
or newspaper article that adds to the understanding
of the conflict, or may explore an issue in greater
depth (such as the Armenian Genocide in Turkey
during World War I or the nature of control of the
media during the Chechen war). Images may also
accompany the essay, including one or more maps
showing the area of conflict.
A selected bibliography providing suggestions
for background information and research on the nature of conflicts and a comprehensive index appear
at the back of each volume.
History is to be Read Critically
Each of the talented writers (mostly academic
authorities) in this volume strived to provide an
objective and comprehensive overview of the conflict
and its historical context. The nature of contemporary
conflict, however, makes it difficult to
wholly accomplish this objective. Contemporary
history and, in fact, all history—should be read
critically.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks for their help to the excellent advisors
who guided this project—their attention and
feedback was greatly appreciated. Many thanks,
also, to the thoughtful and dedicated writers, who
lent their expertise to help others understand the
complex history behind sound bites on the news.
Thanks to Bernard Grunow and the team at the
Gale Group that made the manuscript a book. Finally,
thanks to my family and friends—especially
B.B. Sela—for their support and encouragement