Encyclopedia of American Civil Rights and Liberties [Three Volumes]

Subjects:

• History » American History (General)
• Political Science » Civil/Political/Human Rights
• Political Science » American Politics/Government
• Law » Constitutional Law

Awards:

• CHOICE 2007 Outstanding Academic Title

Reviews:

• [T]he editors of this new encyclopedia correctly assert that theirs is the only source that equally treats rights (relating to the "democratic commitment to equality") and liberties (debates between "individual freedom" and "governmental power"). Their expertise in history, politics, and law is evident. With over 600 entries, the set is unusually comprehensive, including important people and organizations; laws and court cases; legal concepts; and hot topics. It goes beyond the typical issues associated with certain groups (such as women and abortion) to discuss concerns like living wills, the right of asylum, and surrogate motherhood. This new encyclopedia is also particularly handy. Along with the expected bibliography and index, it includes a list of entries, a reader's guide to related topics, an alphabetized list of relevant cases (including legal citations), and the full text of almost 40 primary documents. Many may wish this work had arrived before the others. It is a very worthy candidate for libraries wanting a fresh core resource. Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through graduate students; general readers.
  —Choice April 2007
• Key issues relevant to civil rights and liberties in the United States are presented in approximately 600 signed, alphabetically arranged essays of varying length. They include both historical background and current concerns-political and social-presented by experts whose credentials are listed. Topics include controversial issues such as doctor-assisted suicide, abortion rights, antismoking legislation, and the USA Patriot Act, and are covered in a clearly written, easily understood, and unbiased manner. Historical entries address such subjects as the development of the Bill of Rights, the Alien and Sedition Acts, and the poll tax. Also considered are significant people such as Supreme Court justices, political activists, and advocates for civil rights, and key concepts, organizations, and legislation. Cross-references and a bibliography follow each essay....This up-to-date and comprehensive, yet compact resource will be a useful addition.
  —School Library Journal April 2007
• American civil rights and liberties have a historical past and active presence in our society. This encyclopedia provides an overview of more than 600 topics in both the civil rights and liberties arenas....[p]rovides current coverage of both civil and liberties....[s]hould be considered for academic and public libraries.
  —Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin February 1, 2007
• From Abington School District v. Schempp (one of the Supreme Court's school prayer decisions) to zoning, this three-volume encyclopedia 627 alphabetical entries on issues of civil rights, defined as those that arise from the democratic commitment to equality, and civil liberties, defined as related to the disputes pitting claims of individual freedom against assertions of governmental power, in American history. Editors Stephens, Scheb, and Stooksbury include coverage of important court decisions and legislation; important individuals, such as Rosa Parks and John Peter Zenger; governmental and non-governmental groups and organizations; controversial issues; and key legal and philosophical concepts and doctrines....In addition to the entries, over 100 pages of primary documents are presented in the third volume, along with a table of cases, a bibliography, and an index.
  —Reference & Research Book News February 2007

Table of Contents:

• List of Entries
• Guide to Related Topics
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties and Rights
• Primary Documents
• Table of Cases
• List of Contributors
• Bibliography
• Index