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By Staff -- School Library Journal, 12/01/2006

ALLEN, Judy. Unexplained: An Encyclopedia of Curious Phenomena, Strange Superstitions, and Ancient Mysteries 144p. illus. photos. reprods. glossary. index. CIP. Kingfisher 2006. Tr $19.95. ISBN 0-7534-5950-7. LC 2005032086.

Gr 6 Up–A seamless combination of absorbing fact-filled text and stunning visuals in an investigation of mysteries that continue to baffle, tantalize, and spark endless debate. The book is divided into engaging subject areas as diverse as “Hauntings,” “The Power of the Mind,” “Disappearances,” and “From Another Planet.” Readers will pore over accessible and exciting entries about the sixth sense, premonitions, frog showers and fish falls, Atlantis, and crop circles. In addition, there are pieces on relatively recent subjects that have gained wide popularity, such as Feng shui and Men in Black. The articles, which are complemented by a wealth of attractive black-and-white and color illustrations, discuss and define the phenomena, and provide firsthand accounts. They detail some suggested explanations, but also encourage readers to draw their own conclusions. A user-friendly “List of Phenomena by Area,” an easy-to-understand glossary, and an accurate index are appended. Though this is a quality volume, Nancy Pear’s Strange and Unexplained Happenings (Gale, 1995; o.p.) is a more comprehensive and sophisticated treatment of events that defy rational explanation.–Hillary Jan Donitz-Goldstein, formerly at New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up–Five hundred entries have been added to this update of the 2000 edition, bringing the total to 10,500. Many of the new words come from the fields of technology (“blogosphere,” “Easter egg,” “LOL”), current events (“SARS,” “Amber Alert”), and pop culture (“speed dating,” “shout-out”). The dictionary follows standard arrangement, but is enhanced by notes on usage, history, regionalisms, social aspects of language, and nuances of meaning, as well as illustrations (most in full color) and a pronunciation guide on every page. Proper names and famous people are also included, considerably expanding this book’s usefulness. A solid, up-to-the-minute resource and a worthwhile purchase for libraries.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Gr 8 Up–This solid, accessible book is global in range, spanning “prehistory to the present day.” Its clear, pithy text provides good introductions and/or fine refreshers on diverse topics “that might be of use to students” rather than encyclopedic coverage. Inclusion criteria were based on various history education standards and Advanced Placement test guidelines. The volume starts with an alphabetical list of entries (with some cross-references), followed by a topical list with alternate spellings in parentheses. The 2188 entries are divided into roughly continental regions, with an “other” section providing information on issues that are international in scope. Sixty-five black-and-white maps cover topics such as “Beginnings of Civilization,” “Silk Roads,” “Slave Trade,” and “World War I Alliances.” Essentials such as Plato and the American Civil War are covered, but less-well-known topics can be hit or miss: the obscure Council of Pisa is included but the more widely known Nicean Council of 425 is not. Though the 22-page index is generally excellent, there are some small cross-referencing inconsistencies, e.g., Eightfold Path refers readers to Nirvana, but the reverse is not true. The titles in the brief list for further reading date from 1989 to 2006. Though more concise, this book is similar in scope to the one-volume Oxford Encyclopedia of World History (1999).–John Palmer, Bryan & College Station Library System, Bryan, TX

Gr 9 Up–Cook has masterfully interwoven painstakingly researched, well-written text with quality illustrative matter on a topic that has traditionally been difficult to document: the role of women in active combat from ancient times to today. He presents the experiences of females in “a wide range of organized violence, guerilla warfare, low-intensity warfare, struggles for national liberation, insurgencies, revolutions, and terrorism” in all parts of the world. The alphabetically arranged entries discuss the participation of women in hostilities such as the American Revolution, the Civil War in Sudan, and the American Civil War. Also covered are individuals, such as Joan of Arc, and groups, for example, “Jewish women of Antiquity and War.” War crimes and rape are also discussed. The well-organized pages consist of two columns of clearly spaced text interspersed with instructively captioned black-and-white photos and illustrations. Volume two has an extensive cumulative index and an explanation of the acronyms used throughout the text. A comprehensive, useful resource.–Hillary Jan Donitz-Goldstein, formerly at New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up–Conquests (“occupations and long-term dominations”) and invasions (“the violation of national borders”) are covered here, but many wars are omitted or only mentioned in passing, despite the inclusion of the word “war” in the cover art. Absent, among others, are the Vietnam, Iran-Iraq, India-Pakistan, Crimean, and Eighty Years’ Wars, and the Falklands Crisis. The chronological arrangement is confusing, and events are covered over multiple entries (World War II has more than 25) with no cross-references and no entry for the parent war in the table of contents. The plentiful maps are a major improvement over the first edition, but not every entry includes one, and many omit places referred to in the text, use different spellings, or are simply irrelevant. Finally, the index is amateurish. Numerous individuals are listed under their title (pope, king, queen, even prime minister), their nationality (“French King Charles V”), or their first name. Lengthy entries are not broken down by subtopic. Overall, the improvements since the first edition–13 new entries, more and better-quality maps, a detailed table of contents, a selection of readings, and a time line–cannot compensate for the flaws. Better choices are Melvin E. Page and Penny M. Sonnenburg’s Colonialism: An International Social, Cultural, and Political Encyclopedia (ABC-CLIO, 2003) and, for war, Charles Phillips and Alan Axelrod’s Encyclopedia of Wars (Facts On File, 2004). Both sets are much easier to use and far more thorough than this one.–Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

Gr 11 Up–The 79 entries on revolutions and revolutionary movements in this set cover multiple continents. The format provides a good common structure; each entry begins with a chronology and, after background information on the culture and history and analysis, offers identifications of relevant figures and organizations plus a bibliography and suggestions for further reading. There are also 25 thematic essays related to the topic. As in any collection of this size with multiple authors, some essays are better than others, but most are well written and objective. The entries on individual movements and revolutions, violent and peaceful, contain average-quality black-and-white photos or reproductions, and many have maps. Those on 20th-century revolutionary movements in particular would be useful as supplementary readings in world-history classes. Some of the thematic essays, such as the entries on “Music and Revolution” or “Cinema of Revolution,” will be of interest to teens. Others of a more abstract nature on topics from the role of ideology and nationalism to religion and propaganda in revolutions use terms that may be too challenging for students. This is a good addition to reference collections serving a wide range of interests and levels.–Elizabeth Talbot, University of Illinois, Champaign

Gr 8 Up–An introduction to world religious and secular holidays, with an emphasis on the ways in which they inform us about different cultures. Volumes I and II list countries alphabetically. Each entry opens with some facts about the nation, followed by an overview of its history, geography and climate, economy, culture and leisure, and cuisine. Information about both public and legal holidays appears chronologically. Notes about who observes the holiday, dates, and significance are included. Interspersed are black-and-white, captioned photos and highlighted boxes of related facts. Volume III includes major international holidays and religions intermixed in one alphabetical arrangement (“Amish,” “Eid al-Fitr,” “Harvest Festivals,” “Taoism”). These entries also begin with information on who observes the holiday or religion and where and when it takes place. The articles range from two to five pages in length and conclude with detailed see-also notes and further-reading suggestions. Appendixes in this volume explain the variety of solar and lunar calendars and include a list of holidays by country, seven black-and-white regional maps, and more. This accessible and comprehensive set offers more information than Helene Henderson’s Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary (Omnigraphics, 2005) or Stephen G. Christianson’s The International Book of Days (H.W. Wilson, 2005).–Tina Hudak, St. Albans School for Boys, Washington, DC

Gr 7 Up–These well-organized volumes list more than 100 careers in alphabetically arranged chapters. The range of coverage includes aromatherapists, hospice workers, neurologists, phlebotomists, and urologists. Each chapter opens with an interview with a person working in the field. This is followed by discussions of job tasks, personal qualities needed, educational and licensing requirements, scholarships and grants available, employers, advancement possibilities, salary ranges, and a projected outlook for the field. Sidebars break up the text and present information on recommended skills, words used in the profession, and historical facts and profiles of related people or events. New coverage of alternative and other careers, and two additional indexes of government career classification systems, update the last edition (2002). Lists of professional organizations and a bibliography of the most comprehensive and recent works available are found at the end of each chapter. Each volume has a table of contents. A total of five indexes including four that use government career classification systems enhance this usable resource. Exploring Health Careers (Thomson Delmar Learning, 2005) does not include as much information.–Debbie Stewart Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI

Gr 9 Up–Information on 150 extremist groups, the majority of which are active today. Entries include a brief overview of the organization, followed by its history, a short profile of the current leader, a time line of key events, black-and-white photographs, and a summary of its philosophy and tactics. The biographical entries provide little information on the leaders’ background, concentrating mainly on political activities. Language can be biased at times; for example, Bobby Sands, a convicted IRA terrorist who died in prison on a hunger strike, is described as a “martyr.” However, a large number of groups are represented, many of which are overlooked in other publications, including the Breton Revolutionary Army; splinter organizations of established terrorist organizations, such as the Al-Jihad branch of Al-Qaeda; and organizations not normally listed with terrorist groups but that qualify as extremist, such as the Minutemen and Greenpeace. The index includes personal names as well as specific acts of terrorism (for example, robberies and suicide bombings). Stephen E. Atkins’s Encyclopedia of Modern Worldwide Extremists and Extremist Groups (2004) and Encyclopedia of Modern American Extremists and Extremist Groups (2002, both Greenwood) are more user-friendly for researchers at this level, as their texts are more accessible. However, for students doing in-depth research, this up-to-date set would be the one to use.–Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN

Gr 7 Up–More than 250 clear, reproducible black-and-white outline maps and tables make this an excellent resource. The first half of the volume features world maps depicting both general topics such as climate and population and more specialized subjects such as the distribution of landmines and acid rain. The second half of the book provides data by continent or region in a series of maps that are logically ordered and consistent in look. Clear symbols and layouts make regional comparisons easy. Though most of the maps provide a useful, easy-to-understand visual, some are necessarily less informative than others. The languages map for North America, for example, shows only English and Spanish for the United States, without indicating geographical distribution within the country. More than 10 percent of the maps have dates ranging from 2004 through 2006, including much of the government, population, and economic data. Life expectancy data is from 2006 (updated from the 2004 edition) and economic and demographic summaries by nation use 2005 figures. The table of contents and index offer well-organized access. The binder format means users can remove maps or spread the pages for easy photocopying. Annual updates of 30 to 40 new maps can be purchased to maintain currency. A strong resource on its own or as a complement to other titles in the series.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR

Gr 8 Up–Arbitrary in content and drably utilitarian in design, this resource is unlikely to satisfy either serious researchers or casual browsers. Dozens of academics contributed signed, essay-length discussions of 125 people, objects, or products deemed to have affected this country’s culture in some profound way. The entries are shoehorned into a single alphabetical list (“Alamo,” “Muhammad Ali,” “Amish,” “Antiperspirant”). However, a “Guide to Related Topics” groups entries under headings such as “Art and Architecture,” “Commerce, Consumers, and Marketing,” and “Home and Family.” Each essay includes a list of “works cited and recommended,” and, rarely, a murky black-and-white illustration. There are no cross-references. Though many well-studied subjects, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Marilyn Monroe, are present, in general the choices are strongly influenced by current trends in pop culture studies, so that separate articles on, for instance, George Washington or the American flag are shouldered out by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Viagra. While there are stimulating insights aplenty, they are too often buried in dense, academic language–and are sometimes so recondite that readers may find them hard to take seriously: “The couch…materially signs the schizophrenia of the postmodern condition.” An extensive index rescues this work from a complete lack of usability, but limited scope and lack of subject organization make Tom Pendergast and Sara Pendergast’s St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture (St. James, 1999) or M. Thomas Inge and Dennis Hall’s The Greenwood Guide to American Popular Culture (Greenwood, 2002) better choices.–John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up–Speeches, legislation, articles, letters, interviews, literature, photographs, personal essays, and advertisements have been selected to represent “a sweeping view of events over the last 200 years.” The volume opens with an extensive chronology. Next are 160 articles, divided into 8 sections: “Biomedical Science,” “Clinical Medicine,” “War and Medicine,” “Industry and Medicine,” “Public Health,” “Wellness and Health,” “Alternative Medicine,” and “Bioethics.” Each selection includes an essay discussing the significance of the document, information on its author, notes providing historical and social context, and a list of further resources. The materials, some complete and others excerpted, are presented mostly chronologically within each section. Documents on hot-button issues include a 2004 United Nations report on human cloning, a 2005 newspaper report on Terri Schiavo’s death, and a 2004 report on stem-cell research from the President’s Council on Bioethics. Of historical interest are entries on early developments in antiseptic surgery, identification of particular bacteria, and Florence Nightingale’s commentary “On the State of Rural Hygiene.” While a document may represent a particular viewpoint, the ensuing commentary presents a balanced discussion. Well-captioned black-and-white photographs aid in establishing context. An overload of headings and subheadings tends to obscure the primary-source documents themselves and compromise the presentation. Readers may take some time figuring out just how this book works, although the index is helpful.–Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS

Gr 9 Up–This plump, densely packed compendium presents a comprehensive overview of human settlement and experience in Europe from its beginnings to about the period of the Roman conquest of the western regions. Obviously, such an enormous span of time is crammed with cultural development, the rise of new technologies, and dramatic changes in the realm of agriculture. Even the landscape and weather patterns were in flux as massive glaciers formed and retreated. Since this all occurred in a period prior to written history, McIntosh has used archaeological evidence to focus on what anonymous individuals and societies have left behind in the form of arts, crafts, husbandry, technology, and other such artifacts. While the table of contents can be used as an outline, the extensive index leads to the details. Thematic chapters are broken down into smaller and smaller units, such as “Economy,” leading to “Domestic Animals,” leading to “Pigs.” The black-and-white illustrations range from photos to archaeological drawings to artists’ renderings. The material can be dense and rather dry, and the volume’s textbook appearance may well daunt casual readers or inexperienced researchers. An almost overwhelming bibliography is appended, and suggestions for further reading based on this list are generously strewn throughout the text. Inordinately detailed, this is a gold mine for serious students absorbed in both sweeping topics and focused minutiae. Complex and comprehensive, but not for the faint of heart.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 8 Up–This is a compact adaptation of National Geographic Atlas of the World (2005). Recent advances in mapping technology are evident in these 250-plus maps and 50 satellite images that present data on the political, physical, human, and economic worlds. Introductory entries discuss cartography in the 21st century and its use in interpreting global issues. “The World” presents visual and short textual global overviews of subjects such as “Transportation,” “Defense & Conflict,” “Communication,” “Health & Literacy,” “Trade & Globalization,” and “Biodiversity.” Next, sections on each continent provide maps, charts, and text on the continent and then on subregions, by theme. The maps mostly use the same scale, making comparisons easy. “World Facts” follows, preceding an exhaustive place index. A companion Web site provides a photo gallery, atlas updates, and customized maps. Though this work is jammed with fascinating information, maps and graphs are smaller and fewer (maps of the solar system and of cities are not included). Material near the gutters is hard to decipher, as is much of the small, light print on the reduced maps. The Collegiate Atlas provides a lot of information and is suitable for home use, but libraries would be better off with the earlier edition.–Peg Glisson, Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY

Gr 10 Up–This encyclopedia describes and illuminates a momentous 650-year period of world history that includes what historians have called “The Dark Ages” and the Renaissance. While the resource focuses on the political, military, and social aspects of the religious wars (Crusades, The Thirty Years’ War, Inquisition, The Armada, Turkey and the Ottoman Empire) that created enormous changes in the political and social landscape of Europe and Asia, it also addresses social customs (chivalry, tournaments); historical movements (feudalism, Reformation, age of exploration); religious organizations and beliefs (Catholic Church, Calvinism, Islam, Orthodox Churches, Confucianism); and the lives of important figures (Oliver Cromwell, Niccolò di Bernardo Machiavelli, Cardinal Richelieu). Nolan’s well-written and authoritative preface serves as an excellent and clear introduction to this large slice of world history, and the alphabetically arranged entries are equally informative, impartially written, and accessible to students. The longer entries end with cross-references and a short list of suggested reading. Except for a section of 25 black-and-white maps, which are sometimes hard to read, there are no illustrations. A 22-page chronology, an extensive selected bibliography that includes some Web sites, and a helpful index end the set. Though specialized, this encyclopedia is recommended for libraries supporting a robust world history curriculum or fielding a number of questions on the topic.–Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego

Gr 6 Up–An enlightening, easy-to-use, and unbiased revision of the 2001 edition. A section on “How to Use This Book” is followed by alphabetically arranged entries on court decisions, justices’ biographies, constitutional law and amendments, ideas and issues, and legal terms and phrases. Introductory information on the chief and associate justices of the court includes their education, terms of government service outside the court, and major decisions that were handed down during their service. Appendixes include “Terms of the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court” and “Visiting the Supreme Court Building.” Black-and-white photographs, maps, political cartoons, and other illustrations are included. What is lacking here is a copy of the Constitution, which is included in Kermit Hall’s The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States (2005). However, that book targets an older audience. Patrick’s volume will make a solid addition.–Michelle Barsom, Bainbridge College, GA

Gr 7 Up–This book presents a wealth of information about each man, but most of it can be found in Joseph Nathan Kane’s Facts about the Presidents, 7th ed. (H.W. Wilson, 2001). Each chapter begins with a brief introduction, followed by liberally documented information. Unfortunately, the notes are found at the end of each chapter, and while the extra tidbits are interesting, some readers may find it distracting to flip back and forth. There are factual problems as well. For example, Richard Nixon was not the Secretary of Transportation under Lyndon Johnson; the pocket veto is incorrectly defined; and Dwight Eisenhower is listed as having died on two consecutive days. Stick with the recognized standard.–Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS

Gr 9 Up–Considerably broader in scope and deeper in detail than Kathy J. Whitson’s same-titled volume (Greenwood, 2004), this survey covers not only writers from Sappho to Sara Paretsky, and significant works from Toni Morrison’s Beloved to Judy Blume’s Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, but delves also into folklore and film, letters, criticism, and such pervasive topics as “Confinement” and “Sexist Language.” Each of the 500-plus alphabetically arranged articles includes a source bibliography, and all are backed up by extensive back matter, including a filmography, booklists, a chronology, and zillions of citations to both primary and secondary sources. The information is current enough to include the death of Betty Friedan in 2006. Despite its English-language focus, the lack of “see” references or illustrations, plus occasional gaps in coverage (Louise Erdrich’s defense of pioneer values in the “Little House” series is mentioned, for instance, but not her own The Birchbark House [Hyperion, 1999]), this would be a significant addition to most collections for its insights into the “spirit and viscera of female life.”–John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 6 Up–Each volume in this loose-leaf set is divided into multiple sections, primarily by geography, and includes the major themes of religion, arts, and science and technology. Most of the time lines are enhanced by a black-and-white line drawing, portrait, or map of the period. Unfortunately, the density of the text and the repetitive nature of the layouts create some visually dull pages. Some of the shorter time lines permit more than one graphic, which adds more interest. In general, the maps are the most appealing and useful enhancements. As the “reproduction certificate” in each volume indicates, the pages can be photocopied and distributed to students as reference material. However, this set is even more valuable as a teacher resource because of the curriculum ideas it will generate. With 18 new plates and 150 newly designed illustrations, the set is a valuable acquisition, but not a critical replacement of the 2000 edition.–Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City

Gr 9 Up–These volumes offer a wealth of fascinating information on such aspects of everyday life. “Things” comprises objects, but also groups, events, animals, titles, and concepts, targeted to a lay audience. Tischler avoids controversy, for example describing two creation stories without mentioning their likely disparate origins. There are a few problems, such as unsupportable assertions (Jesus “…had a commanding presence, but dressed simply in peasant garb”), and minor issues with the index and “see also” references. Gothic script headers are difficult to read. However, black-and-white line drawings are helpful. Bible sources are given for each entry, and Bible references are in the text, with cross-references in bold. A further-reading list follows most entries, and a selected bibliography and an index appear in volume two. An impressive assemblage of data for research papers.–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George’s School, Newport, RI

Gr 9 Up–More than 600 alphabetical entries describe the origins, language, history, and culture of European ethnology. Entries range from “Hominids” and “Vikings” to modern nationalities such as “Ukrainians” and “Spanish.” Article length varies; a small Celtic tribe such as the Insubrians has an accessible one-paragraph summary, whereas there is a 25-page entry for the Irish. Lengthier articles are generally accompanied by maps showing invasions, migrations, tribal groupings, or dialect distribution; charts; black-and-white photos; sidebar information; and biographies of relevant figures. For example, “The Romans” has a time line, a map of the Empire at its greatest extent, and inset biographies of Caesar, Augustus, Hadrian, and others. Cultural information varies, but generally includes arts, religion, economy, and occasionally military practices or clothing. A box showing location, time period, ancestry, and language appears alongside main entries. The text and index are both cross-referenced. The eight appendixes include lists of peoples with alternate names and groupings; European peoples organized by primary ancestral language family, nationalities, and regions; the languages and geography of Europe; the earliest Europeans; a time line; and various groupings of individuals mentioned in the text. A great resource for global-history classes or students looking into European cultural identity.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 9 Up–Containing 330,000 entries, 1300 of them new, this update of Webster’s New Encyclopedic Dictionary (Federal Street, 2002) combines the easy use of a dictionary with the scope of a basic encyclopedia. The font is easy to read, and the placement of each numbered definition on a new line facilitates use. The black-and-white illustrations scattered throughout the book offer important visual information. Word history, synonym, and usage notes appear in call-out boxes in cases when more information is needed. Appended sections include abbreviations; biographical, biblical, mythical, and geographical names; and information about writing style and documentation. New entries, found in the “New Words and Senses” list in the beginning of the volume, include terms like “gaydar,” “blog,” “lacto-vegetarian,” “meme,” and “pashmina.” Unfortunately, there is no indication whether an entry is a new word or a new sense. Also, the placement of these words in a separate section is cumbersome and might mean that some students will not find them. An expansive resource, but one with some organizational problems.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Gr 9 Up–This A-to-Z reference contains 450 biographical overviews of American and foreign-born authors living in the United States and 500 signed analytical essays on their novels. The works chosen are those most studied, or are significant for the genre. The time span ranges from 18th- and 19th-century writers such as Charles Brockden Brown and Harriet Beecher Stowe to contemporaries such as Cormac McCarthy and Anne Tyler. There isn’t an analytical essay for each author profiled; for example, the entry on Dan Brown does not include a separate essay about his best seller The Da Vinci Code. Works by foreign-born authors include Bharati Mukherjee’s Jasmine and Cristina Garcia’s Dreaming in Cuban. Most Pulitzer and National Book Award winners are included, and there is a section of genre essays about novels by African-American, Asian-American, Latino, and Native American authors. Biographical sketches contain some personal information but focus on the writers’ careers and their work. Essays on specific novels neatly describe social context, themes, genre, and critical reception. The last volume includes a list of novels; sources, including Web sites; and an index with plenty of cross-references. Libraries will value this compact set for including classics as well as hard-to-find contemporary authors.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY