Grade 4-7-A serviceable entry with the strengths, as well as the weaknesses, of earlier series titles. Fine-quality, well-selected, full-color photographs illustrate a clear and straightforward, if unexciting, text. The history, geography, government, economy, and people are discussed. In fact, all facets of the culture commonly investigated in classroom research reports are well covered. Even the difficult question of the political division into two Irelands is handled respectably and in a well-balanced fashion. However, the book opens with a chapter on geography, but a map does not appear until the end. The brief bibliography refers exclusively to British titles. The "Visual Geography" series (Lerner), which covers Northern Ireland and Ireland in separate volumes, and the "Children of the World" series (Gareth Stevens) should meet most libraries' needs, but this is an acceptable purchase where there is a strong demand for materials on this country.
