Celebrity Culture in the United States

Charts the emergence of American celebrity culture, the kinds of people who achieve celebrity status, the continually evolving term “celebrity,” and what the country’s obsession with celebrity says about society and culture.

"An insightful examination of America's fascination with celebrity... may lure teens through its reference to current celebrities, but once engaged, readers will find a provocative hook into deeper issues of American culture that reach far beyond Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. Highly recommended for high school, public and academic libraries."  — Gale Reference Reviews

◘ ISBN  978-0-8242-1078-6

◘ February 2008
◘ $50
◘ $55 outside U.S. & Canada

Water Supply

Offers an overview of the best methods for providing fresh, potable water to the world community, with an emphasis on the challenges posed by geography, a continually expanding population, changing weather patterns, and widespread drought, among others.

◘ ISBN  978-0-8242-1079-3
◘ April 2008
◘ $50
◘ $55 outside U.S. & Canada

The U.S. National Debate Topic 2008-2009:
Alternative Energy

Focuses on the topic of the upcoming National High School Policy Debate (an annual tournament involving students nationwide), which questions whether the U.S. federal government should dramatically increase alternative energy incentives.

◘ ISBN  978-0-8242-1080-9
◘ June 2008
◘ $50
◘ $55 outside U.S. & Canada

The American Presidency

The Executive office is explored, from its initial conception by the founding fathers through to its modern-day incarnation, as well as the role of the vice president and the potential for a female or minority candidate assuming the office.

◘ ISBN  978-0-8242-1081-6
◘ August 2008
◘ $50
◘ $55 outside U.S. & Canada

The Next Space Age

Examines humanity’s ongoing efforts to explore the universe, focusing on the various national, multinational, and private endeavors that are currently underway while also charting some of the more significant triumphs and tragedies of the Space Age.

◘ ISBN  978-0-8242-1082-3
◘ October 2008
◘ $50
◘ $55 outside U.S. & Canada

Representative American Speeches 2007-2008

This compilation of the year’s most notable speeches from politics, business, and academia gives a concise snapshot of the year’s most significant issues.

"Captures some of the most important ideas around key issues from the past year, providing valuable primary source documents for current research. Recommended for high school, public and university libraries." — Gale Reference Reviews

◘ ISBN  978-0-8242-1083-0
◘ December 2008
◘ $50
◘ $55 outside U.S. & Canada

Also of Interest

Representative American Speeches: 1937–1997

This compilation of more than 150 speeches—gleaned from some 1,250 published in the Reference Shelf—addresses a full range of issues confronted by Americans over half a century. Introductions put each speech into context, indexes give access by name and subject, and brief biographies offer insight into the historical significance of each speaker.

Speeches of the American Presidents
Second Edition

Edited by Janet Podell and Steven Anzovin; Introduction by John Little

This volume helps students understand the presidency through the words of the presidents themselves. Coverage includes more than 200 major speeches by the 43 U.S. presidents, from Washington through George W. Bush. In the Second Edition, 25 new speeches have been added, covering the end of Ronald Reagan’s term, the presidencies of George Bush and Bill Clinton, and the inauguration of George W. Bush.

Pair with Electronic

Current Issues: Reference Shelf Plus

Carefully chosen, full-text articles on a broad variety of topics.

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