Gerdes, Louise I. Cybercrime.

Gerdes, Louise I.  Cybercrime.  Cengage (Gale/Blackbirch/Greenhaven)    2013 243p  ISBN 978-0-7377-6313-3 series: Opposing Viewpoints  ms/hs  E-BNS  Nonfiction        

Cybercrime and the impact it has on society is the topic of this volume in the Opposing Viewpoint series.   The editor has compiled a selection of articles that address the devastating impact that cybercrime is having on individuals and society in general. Chapters look at whether a cybercrime constitutes a real crime or not, how this type of crime is perpetrated, and laws against cybercrime.  Many of the articles also contain sidebars that reference related topics, such as “Grooming’ Victims” found embedded in an article about online predators, on page 77, and “The Value of the Open-Source World” found embedded in an article on internet activism, on page 143.  While authors often play the role of devil’s advocate, this reader was dumbfounded to read articles supporting hacking and its impact on the security of any nation.  Also, it seems ill-conceived to use an article from “Extra!” as a source, even though the article is well sourced and most informative. 

With consideration for addressing the Common Core, three or four questions precede each chapter that will require higher-level thinking skills.  All-in-all, this is a very informative volume about a very important issue.     As always, the Opposing Viewpoints series is a must-have for any high-school collection, and many of the titles are appropriate and useful at the middle-school level as well.

Summary: Cybercrime and the impact it has on society is the topic of this volume in the Opposing Viewpoint series.      The editor has compiled a selection of articles that address the devastating impact that cybercrime is having on individuals and society in general.

Computer crimes                                             --Lynn Fisher

Gerdes, Louise, editor Gun Violence

Gerdes, Louise, editor           Gun Violence 

Greenhaven Press see Gale/Cengage         2011   257p              978-0-7377-4967-0           

ms/hs             Opposing Viewpoints#4 (Gale/Cengage)   VG-BNS          

New edition, updating, and with new material, the

2002 edition of the Opposing Viewpoints offering,  Presents articles pro and con

concerning important topics dealing with the issue of gun violence.     Update of

the 2002 editon of this popular Opposing Viewpoints title.  As with other titles

in the series, this volume presents essays for and against, pro and con, aspects

of gun violence.  This edition explores the topics:  How Serious is the problem

of gun violence?  What factors contribute to gun violence?  Do private gun

ownership policies reduce gun violence? and What laws and regulations should

govern guns?  

Supplemental material includes a list of organizations to contact, an extensive

print bibliography and an excellent index.  A must have for high school social

issues collections, yet accessible enough for middle school readers.      This book

is part of the Opposing Viewpoints series.  The series consists of 259 books at

this time.  The focus of the series is to provide opinions and essays, pro and

con, on hot social topics.       Naismith, Pat