本书介绍美国和加拿大的历史、地理、政治以及文化、教育、宗教、生活习俗等人文背景方面的基本情况,尤其是美国近50年来发生的一些重大事件。对文中涉及的许多背景知识和语言难点,做了较详细的注解。全书语言标准、规范,且风格各异。读者在提高英语阅读水平的同时,可以一览美国和加拿大两国的概况以及现代国际社会的风云。

Part One The United States of America
1 The Main Regions
2 The Climate
3 Early America
4 The Government
5 The Parties
6 The Colour Problem
7 The Higher Education
8 The Communications
9 The People
10 Pecent Major Events
Part Two Canada
1 The Way of Life
2 Early Canada
3 The Canadian Nation
4 The Government of Canada
5 The People
Part Three Appendix
1 American Presidents
2 All about the 50 States
3 Some Universities in USA
4 Prime Ministers of Canada
5 Canada's Ten Provinces and Two Territories
6 Some Universities in Canada