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HIGH SCHOOL
NONFICTION
across the globe as Lange’s restless spirit took
her in search of the human spirit she so
beautifully portrayed in her photography.
Students will find this book inspiring and factfilled.
The bibliography and index are helpful
additions for those interested in learning more
on this incredible photographer and woman.
Lisa Wroble, Freelance Writer/Library Aide, Plymouth, Michigan
Iraq : old land, new nation in conflict, by
William Spencer. LCCN 99049894.
Brookfield, Ct.: Twenty-First Century
Books, The Millbrook Press, 2000. ISBN
0761313567, HBB, $23.90.
956.7. Iraq--History. 144 p. High school (Adult).
Iraq: Old Land, New Nation in Conflict by
William Spencer, professor emeritus of Middle
East history at Florida State University, is a
competent, simply written, survey of the nation
of Iraq from antiquity to the present. The
author’s approach is chronological, beginning
with Iraq’s Mesopotamian heritage and
concluding with an account of the current tense
situation pitting Saddam Hussein against the
United Nations sanctions.
Professor Spencer elucidates the origins of
Islam, the differences between the Sunni and
Shia factions, and the Islamic worldview
particularly well. His description of the origin
and meaning of terms commonly encountered
but not commonly known by westerners is
fascinating. He describes, for instance, how the
names Caliph, Sultan, and Shah were derived, as
well as the fact that the ”Ottomans“ were
originally ”the sons of Osman.“ Iraq itself
means, ”mud bank.“ Over half of the book is
devoted to the post World War I period,
including chapters on the British mandate, the
ill-fated monarchy, and the slide into one-man
rule under Saddam.
Themes of Iraqi history presented include the
Iraqi peoples’ pride in their long heritage, pride
in Islam, and a faith in the somewhat nebulous
concept of the ”Arab Nation.“ The Iraqis have
also survived many conquests and amalgamated
many cultures. Professor Spencer explains the
origins of the Baath (Party of the Arab
resurrection) and how it and Saddam control
modern Iraq. Saddam, incidentally, means ”he
who confronts and is bold.“ Professor Spencer
delineates Saddam’s treachery and terror, but
also notes some of his successes in nation
building.
The book has appropriate illustrations and maps
in black and white. It contains a competent
index and an up-to-date bibliography. A facts
index of vital statistics is presented at the end.
Two of the illustrations have their captions
switched. There is a cross reference to an
important battle, the battle of Qadisiya, that
refers the reader to chapter one when, in fact,
that battle was described in chapter two. This
accessible and intriguing book deserved better
editing.
David W. Rash, Public Services Librarian & History Instructor,
Everett Community College
A brief history of Canada, by Roger
Riendeau. LCCN 99023494. New York:
Facts on File, 2000. ISBN 0816031576,
HBB, $35.00.
971. Canada--History. 310 p. High school (Adult).
A Brief History of Canada covers five distinct
periods of Canadian history. Part one,
Exploring the Northern American Frontier,
begins with the geography of Canada. The
mountains, plains, and rivers of Canada dictate
the location of major cities. Roger Riendeau
touches on early Norse expeditions and later
European explorers looking for a sea route to
Asia. Part two is titled The French Empire in
Northern America from 1608-1760. The French
looked at the natural resources of Canada as a
way of strengthening their economic selfsufficiency,
but they were not as committed to
defending their North American empire as
Britain. This led to the period of The British
North American colonies from 1760-1867, part
three. The fourth section deals with The
Foundations of Canadian Nationhood from
1867-1931. In an effort to stop the United States
growth northward, Sir John A. Macdonald,
Canada’s first prime minister moved to acquire
the North-West Territories, establish a
transcontinental railway system, and encourage
the settlement of the west. Affluence and
Anxiety in the Modern Era is the concluding
section. Riendeau also discusses various
writers, poets, artists, and athletes and how they
fit into the over-all picture.
Excellent maps accompany each section.
Photos of Canadian leaders and events are
scattered throughout the book. Riendeau
includes an extensive list of books for further
reading. The list is divided into six sections.
The first section lists general topic books. The
next five sections match the five divisions of the
book. There is also a complete index. The lack
of white space on the page and small print could
be daunting. However, the author’s extensive
vocabulary and outstanding writing ability make
this history book a rewarding read.
Barbara A. Bryden, Freelance Writer, Olympia, Washington
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