Written by a professor of political science, this reference work provides an accessible introduction to U.S. foreign policy from the American Revolution to present-day events such as the war in Iraq. The volume contains about 500 entries, which are arranged alphabetically and range from a few paragraphs to several pages in length. Access to articles is aided by cross-references and a precise index. Many articles include suggestions for further readings. The encyclopedia also contains a detailed bibliography. Black-and-white pictures and maps complement the text.