More than 150 key social issues confronting the United States today are covered in this eight-volume set, in an A to Z format: from abortion and adoption to capital punishment and corporate crime; from obesity and organized crime to sweatshops and xenophobia. Each includes historical background on the issue; a discussion of current problems, debates, and possible future developments; a chronology; fairly extensive lists of references and Web sites to consult for further information; a glossary; and, in most cases, one or more selected primary documents.