Product Description

In the first book to distill the entire history of the United Nations into one accessible volume, Black explains how this complex organisation works and explores its successes, failings and current limitations. It includes the UN's creation and early history; how it is structured and whether it is well constituted in its functions. Black considers possibilities for reform to make it more democratic, effective and fit for purpose.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #235672 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Review
So what is the United Nations? What are its component parts and how do they operate? Who owns the organisation and to whom is it accountable? What are its true capabilities? This No-Nonsense Guide provides an excellent start to answering those questions, and many others...Maggie Black has written a number of No-Nonsense Guides to international issues, as well as books on water, development and children's rights. Her straightforward, readable approach to the United Nations as it is in real life provides a valuable opportunity to comprehend the gap between the reality and the perception of the UN, and what may be needed to make it effective in the most difficult areas of international misunderstanding. I hope that as many people as possible will read it...Sir Jeremy Greenstock, former UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations

About the Author
Maggie Black has written books for OUP, UNICEF, and Oxfam. She has worked as a consultant for UNICEF, Anti-Slavery International, and WaterAid, among others, and has written for the Guardian, The Economist and BBC World Service