Homeland Security: A Documentary History provides a rich and relevant exploration of the concept of 'homeland security' throughout the nationÆs history, leading up to an examination of the new Homeland Security Department and its mission and impact. This essential reference was recently selected as one of the Best Reference Works of 2005 by the New York Public Library System. ''''The Homeland Security Department was created in 2002 and involved the largest restructuring of the federal government in over forty years. Yet American institutions and officials have responded to homeland security issues throughout the life of the nation, for example, with the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. Homeland Security explores the concept and challenges of homeland security through government reports, budget proposals, public affairs campaigns and press releases, speeches, testimony, and other primary sources. ''''Themes covered include ''''Historical homeland security issues and responses ''Process for creating a new executive department and changing institutions and bureaucracies''Steps, major debates, and events leading up to the creation of the Department''Impact on governmental institutions and employees, such as Congress and its committees and structure, federal and state bureaucracies, and civil servants''Budgetary implications at the federal and state levels''Challenges and ramifications for citizens and civil liberties''Missions and goals, such as aviation and border security, crisis planning, and citizen preparedness.''''''Supplemented with a chronology, print and web resource list, and an index, Homeland Security is unique in exploring historical antecedents as well as the DepartmentÆs impact on political institutions and the ways Americans live and govern. Perfect for undergraduates in political science and journalism programs, AP Social Studies students, and public library patrons.''''