This extremely detailed volume offers a balanced account of one of the most controversial wars in U.S. history. Motivations, military strategies, battles, and leaders on both sides are the focus. Also included are the reactions of those who opposed the war and discussion of Mexico's bitterness at defeat. Illustrations, photos, sidebars, and maps crowd the pages. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

BINGHAM. JANE . The Gulf Wars with Iraq . charts. diags. ISBN 978-1-4329-5997-5 ; ISBN 978-1-4329-6006-3 . LC 2011015922. DICONSIGLIO, John . The Mexican-American War . chart. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4329-5998-2 ; ISBN 978-1-4329-6007-0 . LC 2011016817. LANGLEY, Andrew . The Plains Indian Wars 1864-1890 . chart. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4329-5999-9 ; ISBN 978-1-4329-6008-7 . LC 2011015925. LANGLEY, Andrew . World War II . charts. diags. ISBN 978-1-4329-6002-5 ; ISBN 978-1-4329-6011-7 . LC 2011016056. REES, Bob . The Civil War . ISBN 978-1-4329-5996-8 ; ISBN 978-1-4329-6005-6 . LC 2011018258. SENKER, Cath . The Vietnam War . charts. diags. ISBN 978-1-4329-6000-1 ; ISBN 978-1-4329-6009-4 . LC 2011015928. WOOLF, Alex . The Arab-Israeli War Since 1948 . charts. diags. ISBN 978-1-4329-5995-1 ; ISBN 978-1-4329-6004-9 . LC 2011015920. ea vol: 80p. (Living Through... Series). maps. photos. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Heinemann . 2012. PLB $36.50; pap. $10.99. Gr 6-9 This set summarizes events in major conflicts using brief first-person accounts, sidebars, short biographies, color and archival photos, maps, and other graphics. While most of these wars are independent of one another, some do cover overlapping time periods and therefore these titles do duplicate information. The authors' presentations of these conflicts are balanced, with views from multiple perspectives. They don't shy away from the more gruesome and shameful events, such as the Holocaust, the My Lai massacre, and Abu Ghraib. There is also some coverage of antiwar movements and the lives of noncombatants. It is refreshing to find some wars that traditionally receive less coverage included in this series. These volumes should be useful for report writers and satisfying to curious readers.