Reference Books

-- School Library Journal, 12/1/2005

APPIAH, Kwame Anthony & Henry Louis Gates, Jr., eds. Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience. 2nd ed. 5 vols. charts. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. index. CIP. Oxford Univ. 2005. Tr $500. ISBN 0-19-517055-5. LC 2004020222.

Gr 9 Up–Thoroughly revised and massively expanded, this monumental work not only serves as a replacement for its 1999 edition, but also merits a place in any academically oriented high school or college collection. Alphabetically arranged but backed up by both a detailed index and a topical list of headers in the final volume, the nearly 4500 entries delve into both African and African-American history, from wide-angled studies of "Slavery in Africa" and "Blackness in Latin America and the Caribbean: An Interpretation," to close-focus mentions of Malcom X's "Aardvark" references and major "Zydeco" musicians. Most articles are signed and close with "see-also" references. Illustrations are uncommon but well chosen, a blend of clearly designed maps, charts, and graphs, and sharply reproduced prints or color photos. Though approximately 175 of the biographical entries have been drawn from the American National Biography (Oxford Univ, 2005), none of the resource lists include Web sites, and some details are dated–a table of African-American Academy Award winners ends with 2002, for instance, and the set's introductory chronology stops at mid-2004. However, students seeking information about African music, insight into the failure of school desegregation in the U.S. or the significance of Curt Flood's challenge to baseball's reserve clause, background on the history of colonialism, or hundreds of other historical topics will find both facts and ideas in plenty here.–John Peters, New York Public Library

BOUCQUEY, Thierry & Marie Josephine Diamond, eds. Encyclopedia of World Writers. 3 vols. (Facts On File Library of World Literature Series). bibliog. chron. index. CIP. Facts On File. 2005. Tr $225. ISBN 0-8160-6143-2. LC 2004020551.

Gr 9 Up–This collection of nearly 1000 entries on world writers, literary forms, genres and movements, language, and texts considered to be masterpieces spans from the beginnings of human literary activity through the 20th century. The volumes are separated by period and each one begins with an introduction and time line. Entries range in length from a few paragraphs to two pages for major writers such as V. S. Naipaul or Jean-Paul Sartre. Author entries contain brief biographical information and a bibliography that includes listings of "Works about..." and translations. Most valuable will be the "Critical Analysis" portion found in some articles that provides a good summary of themes and contributions for many authors whose writings might be inaccessible to students, such as Julius Caesar and Marco Polo. The set bibliography lists additional critical sources. Topical essays cover magical realism, rationalism, epistolary novel, Maya epics, fables, bardic poetry, creation myths, and more. Some fictional characters are included, such as Tristan and Iseult. Religious texts are discussed in terms of format, theme, and content. This reference will stand out for its scope, particularly the accessible entries on the earliest literary activity.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

BURNS, Vincent & Kate Dempsey Peterson. Terrorism: A Documentary and Reference Guide. 293p. photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. index. Web sites. CIP. Greenwood. 2005. Tr $75. ISBN 0-313-33213-4. LC 2005003390.

Gr 9 Up–Each document in this collection is accompanied by a short analysis and suggestions for further reading. "Did You Know?" sidebars on related subjects such as suicide missions and events leading to the Iranian hostage crisis are included. The first chapter defines terrorism and is followed by one on the Weatherman movement, Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, and other domestic terrorists. The remainder of the book is devoted to Middle Eastern terrorism and how it has affected the U.S., with chapters on the beginnings of Al Qaeda and 9/11. The book includes translations from Al Qaeda training manuals and of the 9/11 hijackers' notes, the CIA's 1996 report on Osama bin Laden, excerpts from writings by Egyptian Islamist thinker Sayyid Qutb, Richard Clarke's testimony before the 9/11 Commission, and ALA's resolution denouncing the USA Patriot Act. There is an impressive list of relevant Web sites and a list of related films and videos. Average-quality, black-and-white photos and reproductions of flyers and advertisements are scattered throughout. The information is detailed and accurate, but it might overwhelm less-motivated students looking for quick facts. This resource would be most useful where primary sources and analyses are needed.–Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ

BYERS, Andrew R., ed., et al. The Canadian Atlas: Our Nation, Environment and People. 192p. diags. illus. maps. photos. reprods. index. CIP. Reader's Digest. 2005. Tr $37.95. ISBN 0-88850-770-4. LC C2004-901790-X.

Gr 7 Up–This impressive offering provides comprehensive coverage of the human and physical geography of Canada. Opening with splashy color photographs of the nation's landscape, including many aerial and satellite images, it subdivides the country into 20 areas (15 terrestrial and 5 maritime) under the headings of 6 natural regions. This chunking of the nation's vast geography offers a manageable approach to the study of its many regions. Through text, sidebars, charts, graphs, and time lines, the atlas also provides an excellent overview of Canada's population from its earliest peoples to the present. Current statistical information, obtained from Statistics Canada, gives an up-to-date picture of daily life. Forty-two regional, well-indexed maps make up the bulk of the book, and sidebars are effectively used to highlight points of interest. All major bodies of water, provinces, and territories are labeled in both French and English. A collection of city maps, focusing on some of the largest urban centers, follows. (The city maps are not indexed.) A thematic subject index offers easy access to the information. This is a large volume, a bit awkward to use because of its size, but the cartography is excellent and the attention to detail is notable. It stands equally well among others of the genre and certainly deserves a place in Canadian libraries.–Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

DUFFY, Bernard K. & Richard W. Leeman, eds. American Voices: An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Orators. 486p. bibliog. chron. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Greenwood. 2005. Tr $125. ISBN 0-313-32790-4. LC 2005006187.

Gr 10 Up–This unique reference examines more than 50 contemporary speakers from the 1960s to the present in terms of style, substance, and ability to shape American thought. All U.S. presidents since 1960 are included, as well as legendary orators such as Martin Luther King, Jr.; Wilma Mankiller; Billy Graham, Jr.; Ralph Nader; and Thurgood Marshall. More contemporary names include Christine Todd Whitman, Sandra Day O'Connor, Larry Kramer, and Donald Rumsfeld. Entries, written by individual contributors, are consistent in objectivity and in their focus on the subject's life as an orator, though some essays are more biographical than others. Jocelyn Elders's upbringing in a poor family resulted in a problem-solving approach in her public addresses about health care. Robert F. Kennedy changed his political focus from anticommunism activities to working for the disadvantaged, and his speeches on civil rights were much more passionate. Portions of key speeches are discussed in terms of purpose and effectiveness. Well-known speeches such as Caesar Chavez's "El Plan de Delano" and Hillary Rodham Clinton's "It Takes a Village" can be found in the comprehensive index by phrase or subject matter. Lists of official Web sites, selected critical studies in periodicals and books, and a chronology of major speeches follow each essay. This volume will aid history classes, debate clubs, and public-speaking forums.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

GERSHMAN, Gary P. Death Penalty on Trial: A Handbook with Cases, Laws, and Documents. 265p. (ABC-CLIO's On Trial Series). bibliog. chron. glossary. index. CIP. ABC-CLIO. 2005. Tr $55. ISBN 1-85109-606-X. LC 2005001438.

Gr 10 Up–A well-written and impartial overview. The first half of the book describes the history, court cases, and decisions regarding the death penalty, and the impact of the judicial determinations and how they affect the current legal environment. The second half of the volume consists of excerpts from important judicial decisions between 1892 and 2002; a short glossary related to "Key People, Laws, and Concepts"; a chronology; a table of cases; and an eight-page annotated bibliography. This title is more detailed and legally based than books on this topic in series such as the "Opposing Viewpoints" and "At Issue" (both Gale), which are more suited for students who have little prior knowledge of the subject. Focusing on the judicial logic used to both support the death penalty as constitutional or oppose it as unconstitutional, this study shows how the courts' decisions have reflected social and political changes in the country over the past century.–Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego

GIFFORD, Clive, ed., et al. The Kingfisher Student Atlas of North America. rev. ed. 192p. illus. maps. photos. reprods. index. Kingfisher. 2005. Tr $24.95. ISBN 0-7534-5924-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 3-7–This attractive atlas offers a brief and readable synopsis of each province, state, or region of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Central America and the Caribbean over full spreads. There is a relief map for each area, along with a small map of the country or region. A good mix of information on the industry, heritage, natural world, and important individuals from each area is provided in the text or captions and side matter. Illustrations of the state or provincial symbols are small, but clear and sharp, as are photographs of places or people. Fact boxes include basic information such as capital, area, population, largest cities, principal rivers, highest point, motto, and song. Unfortunately, a few typos were noted. One caption states that the Capitol building was first designed in 1973, and a list of fast facts notes that the easternmost point of the U.S. is Pochnoi Point, Alaska. The map and general indexes make it easy to locate places and information. The Scholastic Atlas of the United States (2000) is similar in content and appearance but narrower in focus. The DK Student Atlas (1998; o.p.), Scholastic Atlas of the World (2001), and National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers (2003) are less detailed but broader in scope. Despite a few typos, the Kingfisher has some positive features.–Peg Glisson, Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY

GREEN, Jonathon & Nicholas J. Karolides. Encyclopedia of Censorship. rev. ed. 698p. (Facts On File Library of World History Series). bibliog. further reading. index. Web sites. CIP. Facts On File. 2005. Tr $85. ISBN 0-8160-4464-3. LC 2004053211.

Gr 9 Up–This new edition of a 1990 title includes hot-topic censorship issues from 1990 to 2000. The alphabetical entries cover people, legislation, and titles, including 37 newly challenged literary works such as J. K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series, Michael Willhoite's Daddy's Roommate, Lois Lowry's The Giver, and Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's "Alice" series. There is no separate entry for Robie Harris's It's Perfectly Normal, one of the most challenged books in the 1990s, but it is discussed briefly under "human sexuality education." Fifteen frequently censored authors such as Judy Blume, Katherine Paterson, and Robert Cormier have earned a spot in the book, but other equally challenged writers such as Robert Lipsyte and Chris Crutcher are omitted. The National Coalition against Censorship and the American Library Association are included for their work against censorship, but other than an entry for the Christian Coalition, the volume has little coverage of organizations that have been a threat to free expression. There is an excellent discussion of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), Child Online Protection Act (COPA), and Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) entered under the topic of "Internet Legislation (U.S.)." A dozen new country entries including Afghanistan, Cuba, Japan, and Zimbabwe explain the global issues related to censorship. The articles are brief, clear, and useful for introductory information. The bibliography has been updated, and the index provides important links. Despite some omissions, this volume is an excellent resource.–Pat Scales, South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville

LAWLOR, William T., ed. Beat Culture: Lifestyles, Icons, and Impact. 392p. charts. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. index. ABC-CLIO. 2005. Tr $90. ISBN 1-85109-400-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 9 Up–A piquant celebration of all things Beat, packed with articles on the figures, the literature, the music, the art, the humor, the influences, the drugs, and the despair. The book offers fascinating reading and a window through which this movement, still more famous than understood, can be glimpsed. There is some attempt to link the Beats to their social and political impulses, and to finger them as founding fathers of all countercultural movements to come. The longer essays on the major figures run from three to five pages with a chronology at the end; most of the articles are much shorter. The writing is relatively clear, though some of the related minutiae does become tedious, and a refrain of victimization and martyrdom is sounded repeatedly. From Wilhelm Reich and Lenny Bruce to William S. Burroughs and Timothy Leary, the Beat movement appears littered with the bodies of fallen geniuses, outrageously ignored or abused by the powers that be. Though a few women are represented (Joyce Johnson, Anne Waldman, Diane di Prima among them), for the most part the Beat movement is considered an "all boys club" as noted in the article "Sexism and Misogyny." There are many illustrations–some of them quite evocative–and plenty of cross-references. Libraries owning Lynn M. Zott's multivolume The Beat Generation (Gale, 2003) probably won't need this resource. However, Lawlor's single-volume work is possibly the best overview of the topic for high school students.–Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TX

LENBURG, Jeff. The Facts On File Guide to Research. 560p. appendix. bibliog. index. Web sites. CIP. Facts On File. 2005. Tr $45. ISBN 0-8160-5741-9. LC 2004018941.

Gr 8 Up–A nuts-and-bolts guide to research. Introductory chapters offer strategies to help students get started, including suggestions for narrowing a topic, developing a list of keywords, and creating a timetable for completion. "Gathering Your Information" is an overview of the variety of sources that most libraries provide, such as online catalogs, microforms, periodicals, and electronic databases. "Evaluating Your Sources" addresses timeliness, relevance, objectivity, accuracy, and more. This narrative section is followed by lengthy chapters that list specific sources by type of resource, such as government publications and e-mail discussion groups, and then by subject areas, such as aging, literature, science, and theater. A unique feature is a listing of newspapers by state; listings of free Web e-journals and URLs for all state libraries are also provided. There is a chapter on search engines and how to use them. Subject chapters include an introduction, annotated bibliographies of reference books and journals, followed by selected full-text article databases and selected Web sites. A final chapter about citing sources and avoiding plagiarism is followed by appendixes that show examples of APA, MLA, and Chicago Manual of Style bibliographic format. A no-frills, solid reference source.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

LEVINSON, David & Karen Christensen, eds. Berkshire Encyclopedia of World Sport. 4 vols. 1816p. charts. diags. illus. photos. reprods. chron. further reading. index. CIP. Berkshire Pub. 2005. Tr $475. ISBN 0-9743091-1-7. LC 2005013050.

Gr 7 Up–In 430 signed entries, this encyclopedia covers a range of topics from professional and amateur sports and sporting events to national sports and issues and influences affecting athletics. Illustrated entries range from a page and a half ("Astrodome") to more than 14 pages ("Track and Field"). Volume I includes alphabetical and topical tables of contents. The accessible, informative entries discuss the history and development of the sport (or topic), rules of play, equipment, organizations, competitions, and more. Average-quality, black-and-white photographs and/or labeled diagrams and charts are often provided. Each entry concludes with a bibliography. The highlighted sidebars include poems, quotes, history and time lines, organizations, and sketches of famous individuals. Cultural and human issues from prehistoric times to contemporary sport behaviors provide comprehensive interdisciplinary coverage. A broad, well-written resource.–Janice C. Hayes, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro

MCKITTERICK, Rosamond. Atlas of the Medieval World. 304p. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. glossary. index. Oxford Univ. 2005. Tr $45. ISBN 0-19-522158-3. LC number unavailable.

Gr 9 Up–This work goes considerably beyond a typical atlas in scope. Political topics predominate in the two- or four-page topical spreads, but economic, social, and cultural subjects are also examined. The volume ranges from Iceland and Greenland to Southeast Asia, concentrating on Europe. Highly detailed maps are abundant; time lines, quotations, tables, color photos of artifacts and buildings, and building plans and other diagrams are also included, along with a significant amount of text. For the most part, the elements of each spread are independent of one another, and the detailed maps and time lines include many more locations and events than those mentioned in the text. Often, multiple time periods are covered in one map, with colors and a variety of cross-hatchings and bold lines describing the realities of each era. Although routes of invasion and campaigns occasionally appear, there are no maps or mention of individual battles. A few inconsistencies in spelling were noted. Readers with some background knowledge are most likely to profit from this volume. Others may be left to wonder, for example, what the significance of the Jain temples and monasteries are on maps of India covering 750-1250 C.E. The volume concludes with a limited glossary and an extensive bibliography. Angus Konstam's Atlas of Medieval Europe (Checkmark, 2000; o.p.) comes close to the level of detail found in the Oxford and surpasses its coverage of military matters, but is limited to Europe.–Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

MELTON, J. Gordon, ed. Encyclopedia of Protestantism. 628p. (Encyclopedias of World Religions Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. CIP. Facts On File. 2005. Tr $75. ISBN 0-8160-5456-8. LC 2004016792.

Gr 9 Up–The introduction to this excellent resource reveals the scope of the entries and gives a succinct outline of Protestantism's history from its early-16th-century beginnings through the 20th century. It is followed by a clear chronology that extends to the consecration of the first openly gay Episcopal bishop in 2003. Approximately 800 alphabetically arranged articles comprise the bulk of the volume. Entries include denominations, historic events, issues, beliefs, practices, and terms such as "born again" and "Lord's Supper." Specific articles describe different countries' religious history with emphasis on Protestant denominations of significance. Biographies of people who have made important contributions to Protestant development and dispersion, especially missionaries, emphasize women and non-Westerners. While the major denominations are necessarily predominant, many smaller groups like the Light of the World Church and the Church of the Nazarene are described as well. Halftone portraits and photographs of specific church-related buildings appear with enough frequency to keep the well-spaced text interesting. Every article contains cross-references and one or more bibliographical references. Five densely packed pages of additional book references and a finely detailed index complete the package. Volumes describing the details of specific denominations' beliefs and practices are easy to find. The clarity, accuracy, and ready accessibility of the selections in this one offer convenience and substance.–Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY

RITTNER, Don & Ronald A. Bailey. Encyclopedia of Chemistry. 342p. ISBN 0-8160-4894-0. LC 2004011242.
TANTON, James. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. 568p. reprods. ISBN 0-8160-5124-0. LC 2004016785.
ea vol: diags. illus. photos. appendix. bibliog. chron. index. Web sites. CIP. Facts On File. 2005. Tr $75.

Gr 9 Up–These comprehensive resources cover important discoveries and definitions of basic terms and concepts, and offer short biographies of leading scientists. The alphabetical entries range in length from a line or two to over a page. Chemistry offers more than 2000 articles on topics from "ABO blood groups" to "zwitterionic compound." However, entries for the individual elements are not included. Four in-depth essays examine compounds, molecular modeling, crime-lab functions, and the role of chemistry in everyday life. The book concludes with a comprehensive bibliography, as well as listings of related Web sites, software sources, "Nobel Laureates Relating to Chemistry," the periodic table of elements, and more. The Macmillan Encyclopedia of Chemistry (Gale, 1997) is more thorough. However, this set delivers almost double the entries of World of Chemistry (Gale, 2000). Mathematics offers more than 800 entries from "abacus" and "compound interest" to "Bertrand Russell" and "vector" along with essays on the history and evolution of equations and algebra, calculus, functions, geometry, probability and statistics, and trigonometry. The appendixes include a five-page bibliography of print and Web resources as well as a listing of organizations pertaining to the field. Mathematical notations, diagrams, and captioned black-and-white reproductions and photographs appear throughout both volumes.–Maren Ostergard, Bellevue Regional Library, WA

ROY, Christian. Traditional Festivals: A Multicultural Encyclopedia. 2 vols. 548p. charts. photos. reprods. appendix. bibliog. index. CIP. ABC-CLIO. 2005. PLB $185. ISBN 1-57607-089-1. LC 2005010444.

Gr 10 Up–This compact set contains alphabetically arranged entries on more than 150 festivals celebrated in various parts of the world. The major feasts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are described in detail, as are many other important celebrations. Lesser-known festivals include the Ainu Bear Festival of Japan and the Òsun Festival of Yoruba, as well as those celebrated in the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, and Mesopotamia and by the Aztec and the Maya. A number of the longer articles are accompanied by black-and-white photographs, and every article concludes with a brief bibliography. There is considerable cross-referencing, and the index lists holidays that do not have a separate entry. Appendixes provide tables of dates for the major Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and Chinese holidays, and a comparative table showing festivals by cultural area and time of year. The articles are scholarly but would be accessible to advanced students. This valuable set covers many obscure holidays that are rarely included in other reference works.–Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ

SACKS, David & Lisa Brody. Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World. rev. ed. 412p. (Facts On File Library of World History Series). maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. CIP. Facts On File. 2005. Tr $75. ISBN 0-8160-5722-2. LC 2004056429.

Gr 5 Up–This fact-filled, accessible revision of the excellent 1995 edition provides new material for researchers and general readers. It offers a comprehensive investigation of ancient Greece, from the dawning of Minoan civilization to the conquest of Rome–2000 years of a remarkable civilization that left an indelible imprint on human history. The original format of this volume has not changed, but many of the alphabetical articles have been updated and rewritten. New and expanded material includes pieces on "Aesop," "architecture," "black peoples," "Euripides," "Jews," "magic," "land warfare," "the climate and landscape of Greece," and "wine." In addition, there are modern transliterations of ancient Greek (e.g., "Hephaistos" instead of "Hephaestus"), and a bibliography after each entry. Accurate cross-references, an information-packed time line, and a thorough index add to the volume's usefulness. The black-and-white maps, photographs, and illustrations are all high quality. This is a first-rate purchase for libraries on a topic of endless inquiry and fascination.–Hillary Jan Donitz-Goldstein, formerly at New York Public Library

STAVANS, Ilan, ed. Encyclopedia Latina: History, Culture, and Society in the United States. 4 vols. unpaged. charts. maps. photos. reprods. appendix. further reading. index. Web sites. CIP. Grolier. 2005. Tr $449. ISBN 0-7172-5815-7. LC 2004023603.

Gr 9 Up–This encyclopedia lives up to the scope claimed in its subtitle. The 650 alphabetically arranged, signed entries cover a range of topics from the general ("Alcohol," "History," "Painting") to the specific ("Aztlán," "Zoot Suit Riots," "Proposition 187," "Congressional Hispanic Caucus"). There is an entry on each of the 50 states, and numerous biographical entries are included. Discussions of "Adoption," "Afro-American Influences," "Puerto Rican Politics," and "United States-Mexico Border" attest to the broad reach of the set. Each entry ends with a list of the related articles found in the set, a bibliography, and, sometimes, a list of selected Web sites. The appendixes at the end of the final volume include primary documents such as treaties and constitutions. The detailed index is nearly 100 pages long. Each volume contains an eight-page center insert of excellent color photographs in addition to the numerous average-quality, black-and-white photos and reproductions, and charts and maps placed throughout the text. Encyclopedia of Latino Popular Culture (Greenwood, 2004) has a narrower scope and is less scholarly in approach. Encyclopedia Latina is an excellent resource for anyone researching Latino history and culture.–Ginny Gustin, Sonoma County Library System, Santa Rosa, CA

VILE, John R. The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of America's Founding. 2 vols. 1009p. charts. photos. reprods. appendix. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. ABC-CLIO. 2005. Tr $185. ISBN 1-85109-669-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 9 Up–This clearly written, well-documented resource covers the people, events, committees, ideology, and documents related to the drafting of the Constitution. The balanced entries range from a few paragraphs to five pages in length. Articles on "Indentured Servants," "Indians," "Women," and enslaved peoples discuss these populations in reference to the document. A number of entries include excerpts and quotes, and all conclude with a bibliography. In addition, there are many helpful sidebars ("The Forefathers' Forefathers," "Contemporary Philadelphia," "A Petition against the Slave Trade"). Appended primary sources include "Materials Prior to the Constitutional Convention" as well as speeches by delegates and important 18th-century documents, and charts. Informative black-and-white photos and reproductions are found throughout this well-organized, accessible set.–Madeleine G. Wright, New Hampton School, NH