From Booklist
Gr. 5-8. Divided into chapters on the land, people, and history, this entry in the Modern Middle East Nations series gives readers a broad introduction to Kuwait, a tiny but strategically important emirate. Kuwait comes off as a nation at once blessed and cursed by its tremendous wealth. Citizens are guaranteed a comfortable life (the government buys each couple a large house when they get married), but there's little motivation to work or seek a more representative government. Marcovitz pays special attention to the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990 and the environmental and economic catastrophe that followed. Attractive full-page photographs introduce new chapters and smaller photographs of Kuwaitis at prayer, work, and play are scattered throughout the book, adding dimension to the text. Though occasionally repetitive, this is a readable introduction for kids intrigued by images of Kuwait City that have recently inundated TV. A glossary, further readings, and a good list of Web resources are appended. John Green
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Card catalog description
Discusses the geography, history, economy, government, religion, people, foreign relations, and major cities of Kuwait.

ANNOTATION

Discusses the geography, history, economy, government, religion, people, foreign relations, and major cities of Kuwait.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Elisabeth Greenberg

Part of a series "Modern Middle East Nations and Their Strategic Place in the World," which aims to acquaint students with a region assuming new importance in the world today, this book objectively summarizes many aspects of Kuwait. The introduction by Foreign Policy Research Institute president, Dr. Harvey Sicherman, poses excellent observations to guide student reading. The chapter outline covers general attributes of nation-states, such as land, history, politics, people, and so forth, with an unusual emphasis on foreign policy. The opening paragraph about the American firefighters who controlled the burning oil wells after the Iraq conflict in 1991 invites the student reader to examine his image of Kuwait and then segues into a balanced account of Kuwait in history and in the present day. References to contemporary literature and letters provide immediacy to some of the dry recitation of events. Information set aside graphically summarizes important points or consolidates numerous facts. A factual account of the start of the Iraq-Kuwait conflict states objectively that Iraq sought help in its economic crisis after its war with Iran and that Iraq had long considered that Kuwait should be a province of Iraq. No single rationale is offered for Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, nor is any explanation of the United States' mobilization of an international coalition offered. However, the sufferings of the Kuwaiti people are noted. This book is a good addition to a school library and will be useful for both teachers and students studying the Middle East. 2003, Mason Crest Publishers,

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