With more than 50 very brief readings -- all new to this edition -- from over 40 very recent periodicals and student newspapers on 12 topics of very current interest, America Now reflects what students are talking and writing about right now. As series editor of The Best American Essays, Robert Atwan constantly scours a wide range of periodicals, bringing to America Now an unrivaled awareness of the best writing on today's hottest issues -- and the editorial support students need to approach it and to create solid academic writing of their own. To make these issues especially relevant for students, Atwan also explores hundreds of campus newspapers to find the best student writing on current topics. These models by their peers from across the country show students that they, too, can share ideas through their own discussion and writing.