Nine human rights professionals, scholars, and writers trace human rights prior to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the articles of the seminal document; the modern human rights movement that it launched; and some of today's most pressing issues: from AIDS to rape as a military tactic just recently recognized as a human rights violation. Provides information on governmental and nongovernmental organizations from The Africa Fund to the World Organization Against Torture, and biographies of 39 activists (some pictured). Appends a timeline and eight UN documents, including the Declaration. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)