Presents vital information on the most-studied short stories at the high school and early-college levels. Each entry contains author biography, plot summary, characters, themes, style, historical context, critical overview, and criticism.

Each volume provides discussions of the literary and historical background of novels from various cultures and time periods. Includes concise synopses of plot, characters and themes, a brief author biography, discussion of the story's cultural and historical significance, and excerpted criticism.

Provides analysis of the most frequently studied poems in literature courses. Contains author biography (if attributed), poem text, poem summary, themes, style, historical context, critical overview, and criticism.

Examines the state of the nation's health care system, the education and training of health care providers, and the various types of health care institutions. The ever increasing cost of health care, prevalence of insurance, mental health care, and a comparison of health care throughout the world are also covered.

This volume focuses on the social and moral issues surrounding genetics and genetic engineering.

Discusses how the United States has been affected by the rapid development and adoption of new electronic devices, programs, and other technologies.

Covers formation of the Department of Homeland Security, increased security measures at airports, the enactment of the Patriot Act of 2001, and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Provides the history of national security in the United States; descriptions of the various conventional and nonproliferation treaties and regimes; and information on countries of concern to the United States.

Presents the latest information on U.S. energy consumption and production, compared with years past. Controversial issues such as the U.S. dependence on foreign oil, the possibility of exhausting fossil fuel supplies, and the harm done to the environment by mining, drilling, and pollution are explored.

"Former police officer Cassie Dewell is trying to start over with her own private investigation firm. Guilty about not seeing her son and exhausted by the nights on stakeout, Cassie is nonetheless managing...until an old friend calls in a favor: she wants Cassie to help exonerate a man accused of assaulting a young girl from an influential family. Against her own better judgment, Cassie agrees. But out in the Big Sky Country of Montana, twisted family...

Provides an overview of important historical events or periods in world history. This volume focuses on important dates in the history of the British monarchy.