Where We Stand - Hardcover

In France, according to the statistics herein, you're most likely to face terrorism or be terrorized by your boss. The French are also judged to be the most sexist, alarmist, and accident prone. Yet France is still rated as a better place to live than the United States in this lively almanac companion to a PBS television series. Countries are ranked in categories such as the economy, crime, health, education, politics, freedom, sex, and the environment. Winners are crowded in overall sections: "The Wealthiest," "The Freest," etc. The Macintosh-produced graphics are fun to flip through, somewhat like reading 300 pages of USA Today -style snapshots. The accompanying text is informative, but rather subjective for a statistical book. Each section is sprinkled with quotes, minus dates. Most of the statistics are also undated. The index can be confusing, containing some bizarre entries. Readers desiring a similar, more extensive book might try The Economist Book of Vital World Statistics ( LJ 2/15/91). Where We Stand is recommended for public libraries.
- Bruce Rosenstein, "USA Today" Lib., Arlington, Va.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Full of surprising insights, this fact-filled pictorial compendium uses charts, tables, zippy cartoons and textual insets to compare and rate 27 nations in health care, work, politics, military spending, sexual equality and behavior, schools, debt, standards of living, culture, leisure, marriage and divorce. Germany tops lists as the wealthiest, smartest and most productive nation. South Korea has the world's longest work week (54.8 hours). France, land of butterfat, is the place where heart disease is least likely to kill you. Japan turns out to be the healthiest and least auto-fixated society, and the safest as well. The U.S. press, arguably the freest in the world, is hardly the most read. A global tout sheet of leaders and stragglers, this enlightening survey opens a window on nations' priorities, passions and shortcomings. Wolff ( White Kids ) is a contributor to a PBS series based on this survey.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.