AMERICA IN CLOSE-UP is a fascinating study of contemporary America. Clearly written and generously illustrated with photographs and diagrams, it looks at a wide variety of aspects of American life. Each Unit has three parts. Part A offers a clear and detailed account of some aspect of American society and in Part B the subject is explored further through texts taken from contemporary writings including newspapers and journals such as Time and Newsweek. A variety of texts is presented, including interviews, essays, works of fiction, cartoons, and photographs. These give an insight into the way Americans see themselves and show the contrasting views held by people in the different strata of society. Part C contains exercises and activities designed to enhance understanding of the texts in Part B and to help the students decide what they think about the issues involved. By presenting the viewpoints of people from all levels of society, the book aims to provide a comprehensive view of the United States. It tackles emotive issues such as immigration, race relations and the death penalty as well as offering a clear and readily accessible account of complex matters such as the political and judicial systems.
