This interesting reference set on governments of the world has entries about countries and various topics in the study of government. There are 310 articles, written by over 200 international contributors and ranging from 500 to 3500 words depending on the importance of the topic, arranged alphabetically. The set has many black-and-white photos and illustrations with many maps. Beside the articles are short definitions for key terms in sid bars. There are also longer sidebars on themes, events and people connected with the article. Each article ends with a bibliography, many of which have Internet sites listed for further study.

There is a thematic outline of topics at the beginning of each volume, and each volume includes a filmography, a glossary, and a cumulative index. The cumulative index is good since it includes the volume number followed by the page number.

Some of the 310 topics comprising this volume are information about the various countries, biographies, political ideas, political terms, human rights, censorship, war crimes, common law, and dictatorship. The articles include see also references. The set also includes primary sources like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Preamble of the United Nations Charter, and others.

This set is great for academic and public libraries. Individuals interested in the study of politics and government would like this set. The publisher is very reputable in the reference book publishing field.