Encyclopedia of Privacy [Two Volumes]

Subjects:

• Political Science » Civil/Political/Human Rights
• Law » Constitutional Law
• Law » Contemporary Law
• Law » Law (General)

Awards:

• CHOICE 2007 Outstanding Academic Title

Reviews:

• This two-volume set presents information and analyses of privacy and privacy-related issues in 226 entries written by over 100 experts. It covers various historic and current aspects of the topic, including legal, political, social, and economic issues. From "Abortion" to "Zone of Privacy," each signed entry provides extensive coverage of this complex topic. Many entries contain cross-references and suggested readings. Each volume begins with lists of entries in alphabetical order and by topic, as well as a chronology of selected events. Volume 2 includes a resource guide to readings; Web sites, organizations, and films on the topic; editors' and contributors' information; and a detailed subject index. No comparable work exists. This excellent resource is more comprehensive and up-to-date than Privacy in the Information Age (CH, Jul'00, 37-6024). Essential. Lower-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers; general readers.
  —Choice June 2007
• This admirably produced encyclopedia is highly recommended for academic and public libraries.
  —American Reference Books Annual 2008
• Privacy, which Americans value as much as freedom, is a thing of the past. That is why it is possible to fill two large volumes with ideas, concepts, laws, cases, people, and other material, legitimately related to privacy and its abrogation....High school students would have no trouble with these texts, which are concomitantly useful for professionals. Therefore, individuals and scholars interested in the topic would be well-served by purchasing a personal copy of this recommended set; no library--public, academic, or special--should fail to include it in its reference collection.
  —Journal of Information Ethics Fall 2007
• This work discusses the issues and controversies regarding privacy in the U.S. Arranged alphabetically, the encyclopedia covers 226 topics, including Atomatic teller machine, Credit rating, Electronic surveillance, Gossip, and Two-way mirrors, to name only a few. The entries range from a few paragraphs (Password protection) to several pages (Philosophical foundations of privacy), and each one includes a bibliography and cross-references. Topical and alphabetical lists of entries enhance the reference value of this volume. Especially useful are the numerous entries on court cases, with superb bibliographic references. The contributors are mostly law professors or other faculty and graduate students knowledgeable on the wide range of privacy issues....[t]his work is an outstanding source containing many hard-to-find topics and bibliographic references....[h]ighly recommended.
  —Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin June 1 & 15, 2007
• This two-volume encyclopedia compiled by Staples explores cultural, social, and legal issues of privacy in the contemporary United States. The 226 alphabetical entries range from brief technical explanations of various technologies to extended meditations on, for example, the philosophical foundations of privacy. Coverage includes key concepts, events, legal cases and laws, organizations, technological developments, major figures, and ethical debates. In making his selections, Staples sought to ensure that different perspectives were included, especially those concerned with gender....A chronology of select events precedes the entries and the second volume concludes with a subject index and a resource guide to books, websites, organization, and films.
  —Reference & Research Book News February 2007

Table of Contents:

• Alphabetical Listing of Entries
• Topical Listing of Entries
• Preface
• Chronology of Selected Privacy-Related Events
• The Encyclopedia
• Resource Guide
• Index
• About the Editor and Contributors