Gr 6-9-These titles are physically attractive, browsable, and up-to-date. However, they vary considerably in content. Arab World is by far the best of the three. It is detailed and thorough, includes many charts and facts, and takes great care to differentiate between what "most" Arabs do or believe and what may occur in specific countries or among specific groups. Even here, there are discrepancies between Esherick's data and the apparently publisher-supplied opening map and bibliography. Southeast Asia is passable but vague, while Japan is highly superficial and makes annoying use of a fictional family. In both, the maps are pitifully inadequate and many pictures have no or incomplete captions. Little else is available on women in Southeast Asia or Japan. For the Arab world, Ramsay M. Harik and Elsa Marston's Women in the Middle East (Watts, 2003) is an excellent resource, comprehensive and logically organized, although it's for an older audience.-Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.