When analyzing the degree to which a balanced presentation of NATO is achieved in West German history and civics textbooks, two standards may be used: first, inclusion of information on NATO's formation, aims, strategies and achievements; and, second, inclusion of the criticisms that have been leveled at NATO from various points of view. This paper undertakes an analysis of West German history and civics textbooks based on these standards, the first of which is said to deal with "factual" themes and the second, with "controversial" themes. A number of categories among these themes are outlined. Four different approaches are found in textbooks covering NATO: legitimizing, legitimizing/controversial, controversial, and controversial/critical. "Legitimizing" refers to the type of presentation that limits itself to factual information concerning NATO and in which very little criticism of NATO is mentioned. "Legitimizing/controversial" refers to a combined approach, which, although it presents a few criticisms, still manages to include less than half of the controversial themes. "Controversial" represents the method of presentation that deals with at least half the controversial themes. "Controversial/critical" refers to a combined approach that treats controversial themes, revealing at the same time support for a change or improvement in NATO strategy. Controversial themes are found to be treated more extensively in civics textbooks than history texts. (DB)