'A selection of 262 significant laws, beginning with the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and concluding with the Department of Homeland Security Act of 2002, these congressional acts are explained in detail and with historical context. The entries are well written and accessible to students and the general public. Contributors include legal scholars, practicing attorneys, economists, and political scientists. Same-page definitions of terms, sidebars and illustrations illuminating historical events, a glossary, and a timeline enhance this useful ready-reference work.'--'Reference that rocks,' American Libraries, May 2005.

Product Description: The 1964 Civil Rights Act confirmed the central role of the Department of Justice in the national battle against racial discrimination. Congress had established the department's Civil Rights Division in 1957 with a staff of a dozen to combat racial discrimination in voting; its current staff of 500 now prosecutes many forms of discrimination in employment, housing, education, and other areas...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)