Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

U.S. National Debate Topic 2006-2007: National Service. Edited by Ronald Eniclerico. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 2006. 1 vol. 196 p. $50.00. ISBN 0-8242-1061-1.

A paper place mat in a local restaurant had the question, “Who established the Peace Corps?” Students who read the “Historical Overview of National Service” in the introduction will learn it was President Kennedy; however, his effort was preceded by Roosevelt’s creation in 1933 of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The remaining four sections include “Military Service and Conscription,” “Youth and the Draft,” “Community Service Programs,” and “Mandatory Universal National Service.” These previously published articles are written by reporters and two politicians. Many countries today have mandatory service for their young people, must usually in the military, and all students in high schools in this country today, not just debate team members, will be interested in any discussion about the reestablishment of the draft for national service in the our military. Appendixes include Kennedy’s written “Statement upon Signing Order Establishing the Peace Corps (Executive Order 10924).” It is given with the note that the President departed substantially from the written text when he spoke. The 2-page bibliography and 2 pages of web sites are followed by an 8-page annotated bibliography. This debate topic for these two years will create a need for resources to support both sides of each topic, and this volume will help not only the students to read and understand, but will help librarians select other materials in preparation for the discussions which will follow.