HPV

A frank survey of medical statistics concerning HPV and the HPV vaccine, Parks’s summation incorporates charts, photos, sidebars, research chronology, and primary sources to valorize the need for immunization. The fact-filled text covers the risks from cervical cancer as well as other types of sexually transmitted diseases, particularly the human immunodeficiency virus. Primary and secondary indexing leads the reader to specifics of population protection, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cervical Cancer Coalition. To assess arguments against universal inoculation, the author incorporates a fair appraisal of objections to immunization.
Similarly candid, Wilcox’s overview of the insidious nature of pathological gambling features an annotated sketch of the brain, a timeline of psychological studies, and extensive bibliography of print and electronic resources. The text lacks illustrative photos. Wilcox stresses the impact of unbridled urges on the gambler’s life, finances, and family. The balance of details about casinos, Internet gambling, bankruptcy, affected prison inmates, and therapy alerts the reader to the popularity of gambling and the seriousness of addictive behaviors. For their solid research and accessibility, both books deserve places in the middle school, high school, and public library.—Mary Ellen Snodgrass