North Korea's Internal Conflict

The mysterious ouster of a once-prominent North Korean army official may signal a move by the country's newest leader, Kim Jong-un to purge individuals who oppose him ("Kim Jong-Un Appoints New Military Chief Following Departure of Gen Ri," Telegraph (UK), July 17, 2012). Due to ongoing friction between North and South Korea, international observers continue to play close attention to any changes in the volatile dictatorship.

Review selected library titles related to North Korea at LSC-CyFair Branch Library. Click the title of a listed item, select the "Request" button in the listing, and enter your library card number and PIN for each title you want to reserve for pick up at the library.

Use these subject words and phrases to find more in the library catalog:

• North Korea foreign relations
• North Korea nuclear crisis control
• North Korea politics government

The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future by Victor Cha - Ecco, 2012
call number: 951.93 Cha
"Cha thoroughly examines North Korea's history, ideology, economics, society, and foreign relations. This is essential reading for all North Korea watchers." - Library Journal review excerpt


Crisis on the Korean Peninsula by Christoph Bluth - Potomac Books, 2011
call number: eBook Collection database (direct link to eBook)
Note: Login with your Lone Star College ID/library card barcode number to view the video off campus.
"Drawing from interviews with policy makers and experts in South Korea, Bluth (international studies, U. of Leeds, UK) analyzes the political and military aspects of the security crisis on the Korean Peninsula, including the military confrontation and North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and the evolution of the security crisis since the partition between North and South Korea in 1945." - publishers summary excerpt

Anti-Doping Testing at the Summer Olympics

The Summer Olympics in London will not only provide world-class sporting contests, but also a massive, non-stop anti-doping testing operation with over 1000 staff members including 150 scientists to check the existence of some 240 banned substances ("London 2012: Half of All Olympic Athletes to Be Tested for Drugs," Guardian (UK), July 16, 2012). Any athlete who earns a medal will be subject to testing.

Review selected library titles related to the Olympics or steroids at LSC-CyFair Branch Library. Click the title of a library item, select the "Request" button in the listing, and enter your library card number and PIN for each title you want to reserve for pick up at the library.

Use these subject words and phrases to find more in the library catalog:

• anabolic steroids
• doping in sports
• Olympics
• performance-enhancing substances

Athletes and Steroids from the Films on Demand video database - Cambridge Educational, 2011.
Note: Login with your Lone Star College ID/library card barcode number to view the video off campus.
"Russia, East Germany, and other Eastern bloc countries introduced steroids to their athletes in the 1970s. Today, it is more difficult to detect the presence of anabolic steroids in the body. Many athletes use HGH in conjunction with steroids." - publishers summary

Steroids: A New Look at Performance-Enhancing Drugs by Rob Beamish - Praeger, 2011
call number: 362.299 Bea
"Clearly written and highly accessible for all readers, this book addresses a pressing issue in professional and high-performance sport--the use of steroids--by placing it within the historical context of the ongoing desire to achieve the pinnacle of human sport." - publishers summary excerpt

The Complete Book of the Olympics by David Wallechinsky and Jaime Loucky - Aurum Sport, 2012.
call number: 796.48 Wal
"With its mix of sport records, trivia, and colorful anecdotes, the text offers an encyclopedic guide to the event. The 27 modern Olympics have seen their share of political scandals, cheating, drugs, and other issues; an introductory overview provides a balanced discussion of these ups and downs." - Library Journal review excerpt


The Olympics: The Basics by Andy Miah and Beatriz Garcia - Routledge, 2012.
call number: 796.48 Mia
"This book explores the controversy and the legacy of the Olympics. This engaging, lively, and often challenging book is essential reading for newcomers to Olympic studies and offers new insights for Olympic scholars." - publishers summary excerpt