Pears cyclopaedia, 2002-2003 - Chris Cook

Each passing year sees the frontiers of knowledge pushed yet further forward. Science and technology advance apace, while economics becomes increasingly globalized. Our knowledge of the past increases, while the world around us is engulfed in constant upheaval. This latest edition of "Pears", again fully upated and revised, examines the dangerous world of our new century, from the assault on America to the Afghan war. Meanwhile the changing political scene in Britain (as well as current economic problems) are closely analyzed.;In "Science and Medicine" there are articles on subjects as diverse as ocean exploration, the human immune system and medical imaging methods. The popular "Cinema" section explores modern cult movies, while the expanded "Literary Companion" ranges from Chaucer to Tolkien. Among the many popular favourites in this edition are "Prominent People", "Ideas and Beliefs", "Money Matters" (with its practical advice on tax, mortgages and savings), the wide-ranging "World Gazeteer" and a highly topical guide to the "Environment".;All of us now live in an age when people are becoming more educated, more discerning and more curious than ever before. The whole family - parents as well as the young generation - all want to know more about the changing world in which they live. This latest edition of "Pears", for so long one of the most famous reference books throughout the English-speaking world, should help fulfil this growing need.