Through the use of primary source documents, readers can learn about key opinions and legislation in the important field of animal rights and welfare-a current and highly relevant topic. Animal Rights and Welfare: A Documentary and Reference Guide addresses a broad range of key topics within the subject of animal rights and welfare, including zoos, animal testing, philosophy regarding the treatment of animals, and practical measures instituted to protect animals, supplying readers with an impartial and authoritative resource for understanding the history of animal rights and the issues that dominate discussions about animal rights. Organized chronologically, the book discusses topics such as animal rights within the context of hunting for food, pelts, and other body parts, as well as for recreation; working animals; animals used for education or scientific and medical research; animals in the fashion and entertainment industries; and the food industry. The text provides reproductions of dozens of carefully selected primary documents from the time of Aristotle (B.C.) to present day to engage readers and provide opportunities for them to apply their critical thinking and analysis skills. The text of each document is introduced by a headnote to place it in context and concludes with analysis that details its significance and clarifies specific passages when needed. Each document or excerpt is followed by a full citation of the document. Provides extensive coverage of a variety of topics, ranging from historic events and information to the latest developments in the field of animal rights and welfare Presents an impartial, balanced representation of various political/moral perspectives on the issues in animals rights and welfare Offers primary source material-such as the Wild Horse Annie Act of 1959-that enables readers to review the exact text of important legislation Gives readers the resources to draw their own informed conclusions by providing opposing perspectives on often-polarizing animal rights and welfare issues, such as the morality of using animals for industrial and medical research, restoring wolves to former hunting grounds, and keeping highly intelligent dolphins and Orcas in captivity Includes supplemental material that provides additional context

Helping students relate to the significant social and culture changes that occurred in the years 1878-1913, < I>Gilded Age and Progressive Era Reference Library< /I> has the details and vital connections largely missing in other references. The collection is divided into three unique volumes: the < I>Almanac< /I> focuses on key topics, such as the labor movement, immigration, industrialism, corruption, development of the middle class, muckraking, the assembly line, the Titanic and child labor. < I>Biographies< /I> profiles figures significant to the era, with coverage of Mark Twain, Upton Sinclair, John D. Rockefeller, Ida B. Wells and many others. < I>Primary Sources< /I> is a selection of the most relevant documents of the time, including excerpts from "The Jungle," by Upton Sinclair, "The 1906 Antiquities Act," illustrations of the Gibson Girl and the "Atlanta Compromise Speech of 1895," by Booker T. Washington. < P>Throughout the three volumes, clear prose, numerous illustratio and interesting sidebars make it easy to understand the political climate, people and events that shaped the time. In addition to providing further reading suggestions and research and activity ideas, each of the Library's three volumes contains a chronology framing events in the wider context, words to know section for additional clarification, and a subject index making it easy to locate target information.

From Chinese rockets of the 11th century to the latest developments in modern space travel, the four-volume "Space Exploration Reference Library provides a wealth of information on this still-emerging science."Space Exploration Reference Library: Almanac covers the space race, the Moon landings, joint U.S. and Russian space ventures, space equipment, the history of space probes and more. "Space Exploration Reference Library: Biographies examines key figures like Sally Ride, Yuri A. Gagarin, Neil Armstrong, John H. Glenn, Jr., Arlette Vassy, Herman Oberth and many others. "Space Exploration Reference Library: Primary Sources includes a wide-range of full and excerpted sources concerning the political, economic and scientific aspects of space exploration.

"African American Biography" profiles more than 300 notable African Americans from all walks of life and provides a convenient alphabetical arrangement, subheads for easy scanning and portraits of each individual profiled. "Volume 5"includes 21 new entries and 19 updates from the first 4 volumes.

Stretching from the end of World War II to 1989, the Cold War between the Western powers and the Communist bloc shaped national alliances around the world. In 15 chapters, the "Almanac"treats the historic causes of the tension; the mutual suspicions that fueled the conflict for more than 40 years; the ideological clash between communism and democracy; and the policies that marked the long standoff -- the Marshall Plan, Truman's Point Four program, the nuclear arms race, economic aid, the Berlin Wall, detente; and much more. Also covered are the times when the Cold War burst into armed conflict in such areas as Korea, Cuba and Southeast Asia.