Scherer, Lauri S. The Taliban.

Scherer, Lauri S.  The Taliban.  Gale/Greenhaven      2013  132p  ISBN 978-0-7377-6283-9  series: Introducing Issues With Opposing Viewpoints  ms/hs  VG-BN        

This series is very similar to the Opposing Viewpoints series with more colorful charts, diagrams and photos and simplified text.  There is an effort to encourage readers to think more deeply about the articles by reading questions that appear before the text and at the end of each article, questions that require the reader to consider the qualifications of the author and how two authors may differ in their viewpoints.  The articles are all from the last five years, with polls and statistics from the same time period.  The writers represent an international community, with western authors as well as authors who either are Middle Eastern by birth or have spent a great deal of time in Afghanistan and surrounding countries.  The book is perfect for report writing. The introductory segments at the beginning of each unit of articles give background for the novice researcher.  Quick fact boxes, polls, statistics, charts, an annotated list of organizations to contact, lists for further reading and an index complete the book.  

Introducing Issues with Opposing Viewpoints provides multiple viewpoints by  international writers with colorful charts, photos and quick fact boxes.  It is a more lively, easier-to-understand version of the traditional series, Opposing Viewpoints. Gr 8+      

Summary: This book presents articles written in the last five years to support and refute basic ideas about the power of the Taliban, their influence in the drug trade in Afghanistan, and how the international community should negotiate with them. Grades 8-12.     

Taliban                                                           --Lois McNicol