Cross-border links : a directory of organizations in Canada, Mexico, and the United States /

The first edition of a work that should be frequently published (or better yet be available online) because it provides a timely list of organizations that deal with issues facing all North America. In the US, general information on the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement is not readily available to the common citizen. This publication gives general or specific information on labor, the environment, etc., as it relates to the ties among Mexico, the US, and Canada, with a special focus on NAFTA. The coverage is broad; hence, even if NAFTA is never realized, the organizations listed and the accompanying descriptions will remain important in the overall North American economic and social context. The availability of the abundant and timely information contained in this handy guide makes this an important purchase for all academic libraries except perhaps those supporting small liberal arts or religious curricula. D. R. Brown; DePaul University

This timely paperback directory of organizations illustrates well the many points of view in North America. It is divided by issue area and country; the areas listed are networks for fair trade, labor, environment, advocacy, academic institutions, government agencies, business groups, and electronic networking. There is an appendix on calling long distance and on abbreviations for Canadian provinces and for Mexican and American states, as well as an index of organizations. Although the reader may assume these groups all support the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), it is not so. A typical entry, such as RMALC (Red Mexicana de Accion Frente al Libre Comercio), consists of an address with E-mail and FAX included, contact persons, description of purpose, position on free trade, resources in the form of journals and books, and member organizations (trade unions, political parties, and church organizations) that oppose the agreement. As you might expect, the American listings are longer than those for Canada and Mexico. A fascinating volume that belongs in every library.-- Rene Perez-Lopez, Virginia Wesleyan Coll. Lib., Norfolk (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.