Encyclopedia review - Thompson

Encyclopedia of World problems and Human Potential, ed. by the Union of International Associations. 2nd ed., KG Saur, 1986. various pagings, index, 200.00 ISBN 3-598-2184-8. H 41x

Note: This review, by G B Thompson, appeared in the July-August 1987 edition of Choice (American Library Association).

A revised and expanded version of a mammoth work first published by the Union of International Associations in 1976. The list of world problems has grown to 10,000 and reflects the broadest range of cultures, ideologies, and disciplines from the more-developed to the lesser-developed nations. Of the problems, 4,700 are analyzed according to their general characteristics, their incidence, and the major issues involved; the remaining problems are simply listed by name. Other sections of the book list and define human development concepts, human values, and strategies for dealing with the problems. A predominant feature is the extensive cross-referencing system to relate problems to other problems, to values, to strategies for attacking world problems. This work is a companion to the Yearbook of International Organizations (1948-), which links the organizations to the world problems using the same classification scheme. It is a valuable register of world problems and serves as a thesaurus of terms relating to world development and international problem solving. Because of its expense and complexity, this publication is recommended primarily for upper-division colleges, universities, and research institutions.

- G.B. Thompson
Hobart & William Smith Colleges