In recent years,more and more foreing personnel are showing a concern about Tibet.In order to meet their needs,we have compiled this book based on the academic monorgraph Comments on the Historical Status of Tibet published in 1995 by the Nationalities Press. Comments on the Historical Staqtus of Tibet expounds upon the close relations between the region fo Tibet and ancient China making use of rich and accurate historical materials,especially those showing that Tiber has been a part of Chinese territory since the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).It forcefully denies the entire ideological system of "Tibetan independence"and,for the first time,systematically answers the theories put forward by the Dalai clique.The Chinese edition of this work has attracted great attention in China and was granted the 1996 Excellent Book Award in China.

Grade 5-8?The emphasis in these books is on cultural history. However, the early chapters give rundowns of the political conditions in their respective countries. Both titles feature discussions of daily life and religious concerns, as well as major artists and writers. This makes for an effective presentation, enhanced by colorful illustrations and graphics. In some cases, the main text is set off by full-page sidebars that give further information on related topics. For example, Cervantes is briefly mentioned in the section on Spanish literature, but he is given more coverage in a nearby box. Of the two, England is the stronger as Spain, which covers a period from roughly Columbus's discovery of America to about 1700, suffers from some redundancies. Overall, however, these are both excellent choices for libraries in need of materials dealing with European cultural history.?Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr 9 Up-To read this title is to alter forever mythical perceptions of Viking heroes. The clearly written text avoids romanticizing, yet presents an engrossing, if not glamorous, picture of the Viking era. Hence, while readers may be impressed by the artistic skill, bravery, and determination of Norsemen adventurers, they also see their undeniable brutality. The volume presents not just facts, but riveting accounts of scientific discoveries and historic breakthroughs that have led to the determination of these facts. Thus, the painstaking work of salvaging ships and excavating burial mounds is clearly detailed, and full explanations are given when conclusions can be drawn from discoveries. Text and excellent-quality photographs display how a 10th-century skull, combined with 20th-century laser and computer technology, can bring us face to face with the eerie likeness of a man dead a thousand years. A heavily noted timeline, an extensive bibliography, and a full index add to the overall appeal.-Anita Palladino