Global Issues, Local Arguments: Readings for Writing

by June Johnson

The first argument reader of its kind, Global Issues, Local Readings for Writing showcases opposing points of view within nine issues pertaining to Free Trade, Employment Outsourcing, Immigration, Culture, Terrorism, Human Rights, Water Rights, Global Food Supply, and Global Health.

608 pages, Paperback

First published August 5, 2006

Reviews

[Melissa Kidd · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was a hate-like for me. I would never have picked this book up on my own, not in a million years. But when I had to read it for class I found to my surprise that the material was actually interesting and mind-opening. I don't think about global issues all that often; I tend to avoid them like I do with books on politics and government. But that doesn't make the issues untrue or irrelevant. Far from it; all of these issues are happening in the world at this moment and I think the goal right now for those not in high standing positions to do something about then, is to make the public aware. This book does a great job at creating awareness. I will most likely never read this again, but I don't regret reading either.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book presents itself as a text for stimulating thinking. I think it's closer to say it's a book for stimulating certain modes of thinking. While June Johnson adds the occasional dissent to conventional wisdom on Immigration, Outsourcing, and Sweatshop Labor, her own contributions, at the beginning of each chapter and presented as an attempt to "frame" the debate, fail miserably at any objective establishment of the parameters of the discussion.

That being said, the essays were interesting and engaging, for the most part. I simply found the clear biases of the editor distracting and unhelpful in developing my own writings on the subject.