Reference Book Reviews

Gr 8 Up—The first volume of this clearly written work provides alphabetically arranged overviews of 23 kinds of disasters, including geology- and weather-related calamities, and the less obvious: epidemics, fires, famines, and smog. Entries include "Factors Involved," "Regions Affected," a definition, related science, geography, prevention and preparation, impact, rescue and relief efforts, and a historical overview. They close with an annotated bibliography and, sometimes, related occurrences. The remaining volumes cover specific events chronologically. The second one ranges from prehistory (creation of the Yucatan crater in 65,000,000 B.C.E.) through the Ancash earthquake of 1970. The third, reflecting the abundance of information on more recent disasters, describes events from 1970 to 2006, such as Hurricane Andrew, the Indian Ocean tsunami, and AIDS. Articles open with information on the disaster type and its date, place, and result, and continue with pertinent subheadings. Descriptions are thorough and most include relevant black-and-white photographs, diagrams, or maps. Overview articles contain no cross-references to the event entries, but a category list at the end of each volume provides this information. Labeling some of the disasters "natural" is debatable. Several, such as smog and the Irish Famine, were the result of natural phenomena that could have had benign results (as the book acknowledges) but for carelessness or colonial policies. Still, its breadth and clarity make this a valuable resource. Similarly up-to-date works, such as and Alexander E. Gates and David Ritchie's The Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes (Facts On File, 2007), cover fewer disaster types.—Henrietta Thornton-Verma, School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—This set provides a springboard into information gathering. As is accepted practice with encyclopedias, the tone is objective and factual but occasionally a little dry. The alphabetically arranged articles range in length from a few paragraphs up to nine pages for the entry on the United States. They will be used for reports and ready reference, but children with some background in a topic will also need to use more detailed reference sources and specialized books. Most entries have at least one illustration, and these color photos, drawings, archival reproductions, time lines, maps, and diagrams add information and appeal. Large type and widely spaced double columns set off the illustrations and make the material easy to read. The use of color pages for entries on places—green for the U.S. states and Canadian provinces, yellow for countries, and purple for continents—makes access easy. When compared to the first edition of the World Book Student Discovery Encyclopedia (1999), this set has many similarities in format and content and a few important differences. Some articles that World Book treats as individual subjects are combined here under a broader heading. World Book is more heavily illustrated, especially in the longer articles, and includes stimulating projects to encourage further exploration. However, Britannica is a solid choice as an introductory reference resource. It will be useful in school and public libraries, especially where there are many requests for assignment materials and where children do reports.—Ellen Loughran, Pratt School of Information and Library Science, Brooklyn, NY

Gr 9 Up—In his introduction, Carlisle states his belief that, "While retaining a sense of anger and horror at the events [of September 11], researchers may be able to look at those events without attempting to make political points, and by reporting with some precision what is known as fact." He reports "the facts that can be determined with certainty" through alphabetic, encyclopedic entries of the places, people, and departments that had a major role in the happenings before, during, and after the terrorist attacks. More than 100 signed articles are written in an objective, news-report fashion and include the time line of events, biographies of the terrorists involved, films about the incidents, international reactions, the NYPD and FDNY, and the 9/11 commission. Cross-references appear throughout and a list of further readings is provided after each entry to guide readers to more detailed accounts. Numerous sidebars add information on such topics as "Building Counterterrorism Coalitions," "Operators and Dispatchers," and "Bin Laden on September 11." Sharp, full-color photos, some full-page, are well captioned. An appendix lists the names of the casualties. This is an excellent, up-to-date addition for libraries looking to expand their current-issues/history sections as well as for beginning researchers. This book has more depth than Gail B. Stewart's America under Attack: September 11, 2001 (Gale, 2002) and the "Inside the World's Most Infamous Terrorist Organizations" series (Rosen).—Lori E. Donovan, Thomas Dale High School, Chester, VA

Gr 9 Up—The writing is clear, the stories are compelling, and the topic is horrifying in this strong and near-comprehensive second edition, which adds 24 new conflicts (the total now exceeds 175) and several revised articles. The many strengths and minor flaws of the previous incarnation are still evident, the set's vast scope and clear presentation marred only by occasional seemingly unsubstantiated statements and a lack of uniformity within the essays. For example, some begin with a "Historical Background" section, but others do not, even though some of this information may be provided. The overall structure of the set works well. It is divided into three sections: "Roots of War"; "Conflicts"; and "Organizations, Alliances, Conventions, and Negotiations," with the vast majority of each volume devoted to specific conflicts. However, the subcategorization of these events by region (Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Europe, Americas, Middle East, and North Africa, etc.) could make research a little daunting for novices, though the indexes offer an alternative means of access. The illustrations are strong and the maps helpful, and the thumbnail biographies and glossary are useful. A valuable resource for most school and public libraries.—Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TX

Gr 10 Up—This excellent set offers an informative overview of the personalities and topics linked to their respective countries. The first two volumes, covering World Wars I and II respectively, are each divided into two sections: biographies (Lena Horne, Albert Einstein, Woodrow Wilson) and topics ("Antitrust Policies," "Homosexuality," "War Bonds"), while volume three is devoted to primary sources from each war. The texts flow easily and the subject matter is both academic and often entertaining. The entry on World War II slang is particularly amusing (offering such tidbits as the nicknames for those who checked soldiers for venereal disease: "penis machinists"). However, while all three nations are amply covered, not all topics are treated equally, country by country. For example, "Spies and Sabotage" has a distinctly American focus. Access points include a list of set entries in each volume, as well as cross-references at the end of each entry. Black-and-white photographs are included. The strength of this resource stems from its breadth and specificity. Information on the topic can be found embedded in many books on these conflicts, but this work offers a truly sweeping overview of the places involved.—Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

Gr 10 Up—These books provide detailed, footnoted information on tradition, spirit, social practices, aesthetics, and voices of change. They consist mostly of academic essays, but also contain several poems and personal narratives. An introduction notes that the editors are practicing Muslims and that the contributors are largely Islamic scholars. Twenty-two of the 76 essays are by women. Articles come from across the spectrum of the faith, so some contradict others. The article on Shari'a and the introduction to the Qur'an will be especially useful in teaching world religions. The introduction to Art, Beauty, and Science (a volume that contains only one essay on science) decries the constant need for Muslims to prove their rationality and respectability. Change includes an excellent piece on women and the provocative and insightful essay "Sexual Diversity in Islam." Sufism, though widely condemned as heretical by Sunnis and Shias, looms large here. The long, closely argued article on jihad condemns suicide bombing, without saying why such condemnation is necessary, though the Qur'an's injunction against murder is mentioned elsewhere. The language, length, and referential assumptions of many articles make them suitable only for advanced students. Only a few of the essays have bibliographies. Answers to key questions (Is Islam compatible with democracy and science? Can moderate Islam prevail over extremists?) remain elusive. Nonetheless, by presenting multiple facets of mainstream Islam and its complex makeup, this set may be as useful to the Muslim community as to others.—Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI

Gr 5 Up—This revision of the 1998 edition divides world history into the eras of Early Civilizations, Expanding World, Age of Revolution, and The 20th Century. Each volume is arranged in chronological chapters that provide high-quality, reproducible maps, time lines, charts and graphs, and brief commentary about numerous aspects of the past. All regions of the world are represented and many entries illustrate concepts or information not easily found in other sources, often showing sequential change or cause-and-effect relationships. The content in 20th Century is almost identical to that in World History: The 20th Century (Facts On File, 2004) but many pages have been slightly reformatted for visual clarity. The tables in the statistics section of 20th Century have also been updated. Information on the Iraq War and global warming is new, and coverage of the early 20th century, the Ottoman Empire, and Asian religions has been expanded. Overall, the content complements Historical Maps On File (Facts On File, 2006), which covers many of the same topics, but does not include the informative time lines, graphs, charts, or analysis found in this set. This is an attractive and useful resource for libraries that do not have the earlier edition; those that have it will find it an unnecessary purchase.—Mary Mueller, Librarian, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 10 Up—Du Bois was born a mere three years after the end of the Civil War into a society rabidly hostile to the black man. A monumental intellect, he was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. His writings and research were extensive and eclectic and spanned the length of his long life. That the author's shadow looms large even now is made evident by the many prominent scholars who provide detailed introductions to each book in this groundbreaking collection. The set includes Du Bois's autobiography and doctoral dissertation, his best-known works (The Souls of Black Folks, Dust of Dawn, and The Philadelphia Negro), and other works of biography, sociology, and fiction. Each book contains the same biographical time line. This set is a valuable contribution to African-American scholarship. It has the potential to introduce a new readership to the scope and breadth of a unique and seminal thinker. The works included can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issues now facing contemporary Americans. Although some of the selections in this breathtaking collection will be of interest to upper level high school students, others will be used primarily by those taking AP classes.—Carol Jones Collins, Columbia High School, Maplewood, NJ

Gr 9 Up—Students looking for simple, one-stop medical information may be frustrated by this overambitious attempt at an "integrative approach to both health and disease." The four volumes cover themed systems, as follows: "structures and functions that lead the body's way in the world" (skin, skeleton, eyes); those that "nourish, cleanse, and protect the body" (cardio, pulmonary, immune); biochemical functions (gastro, endocrine, reproductive); and a loose conglomeration of larger issues (prevention, genetics, drugs). Within volumes, major topics start with the system's biology and function and include updated medical information, and then brief, alphabetically arranged subarticles on related disorders and treatments. Written by health-care professionals, the articles themselves are clear and thorough, but finding specific information is a challenge. For example, the section on breast cancer (and its cross-references) is adequate for general information, but limited for someone looking for more in-depth coverage. The common terms "bunion" and "PET scan" are not indexed, and the critically necessary cumulative index appears only in volume four. Numerous appendixes include lists of medical specialties and abbreviations, vital signs, notable personalities and Nobel Laureates; recommendations for scheduled check-ups; descriptions of various imaging procedures; and a surprisingly limited glossary of medical terms. There are only a few illustrations in the set. Neither lending itself to general reading nor to quick reference, this work will be hard pressed to find an audience despite the valuable information that it contains. Sometimes new and improved is mostly just new.—Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA

Gr 7 Up—From accordion to zither (with nifty side trips to such exotics as the changgo, the bandura, the erhu, and the tonkori), this attractive compendium covers them all. After a brief foreword, an introduction, and a handy alphabetical listing, this global agglomeration is divided into two main sections: "Instruments" (percussion, brass, woodwind, stringed, keyboards, and electric/electronic), and "Reference." In the first section, small color photographs show the wide variety of items discussed in the clear, readable text. The reference section includes a chronological overview of the origin of Western instruments, in (mostly) 50-year periods from 1600 to the present; a section on ensembles, incorporating such wildly divergent groupings as string quartets, marching bands, and choirs; a list of decibel and pitch ranges (written and actual) of a wide variety of instruments; and an extensive glossary. Libraries that already own Robert Dearling's more scholarly The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Musical Instruments (Macmillan, 1996) or Max Wade-Matthews's equally erudite The World Encyclopedia of Musical Instruments (Lorenz, 2000) should still make room for this visually appealing, informative, and easy-to-use guide to enhancing any listener's appreciation of music.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 10 Up—This attractive reference book begins with a helpful historical introduction. The approximately 800 entries, ranging from a few sentences to several pages in length, are clear and accessible and include bibliographies. The authors focus on basic concepts, beliefs, practices, gods, sacred writings and places, and major events; material on Sikhism and Jainism is also included. Strengths are the entries on major figures of the past and present, along with material on organizations and movements, and geographical entries covering Hinduism's global reach. Black-and-white illustrations are scattered throughout. There are no maps, despite numerous references to locations. The index and cross-references are incomplete, and there are a few typos. Despite these problems, Encyclopedia is well crafted and will be useful for students. Its only competitor is James G. Lochtefeld's The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism (Rosen, 2002). While exceptionally thorough, it lacks this volume's multicultural scope.—Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

Gr 5 Up—This set, first published in 1974, retains the original introduction by Jesse Owens. The 300-plus alphabetically arranged entries cover a mix of 311 historic and contemporary athletes from 31 countries, representing 49 different sports, including curling, horseshoes, and motocross. Volume one demonstrates the breadth of coverage, showcasing, among others, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Freddy Adu, Red Auerbach, and champion horseshoe-pitcher Ted Allen. Articles include a head shot, a short discussion of the subject's early life, and a description of his or her career, highlighting key games and events. Entries often contain commentary by subjects on their accomplishments. Career statistics are current as of December 2006. Entries end with brief further-reading lists. Lincoln does not shy away from controversy; for example, the articles on Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire cover their alleged steroid use. Athletes' personal lives are not discussed, except where pertinent to their professional endeavors. The final volume has several indexes. This set will be a valuable addition, both as a springboard for reports and for browsing.—Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN

Gr 10 Up—This title's stated intent is to provide "accessible" criticism for students as an alternative to the abundance of highly academic literary criticism already available on Hardy. It contains a brief biography, introductory analysis of the subject's career and literary contributions, a chapter dedicated to each of four major novels (Far from the Madding Crowd, The Return of the Native, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, and Jude the Obscure) and an overview of Hardy's poetry. Chapters dedicated to criticism of specific novels also include an "Alternative Reading" subsection providing another lens through which to view the work. The chapter dissecting Return of the Native, for example, includes a section of psychoanalytic literary criticism. While Morgan accomplishes her stated goal by narrowing the scope of the study to a representative group of works and a limited set of analyses, the language remains quite scholarly. Further, chapters are clearly organized into subsections for easy use, but the beginning of each chapter often makes reference to information already introduced. While such references undoubtedly help build a more comprehensive portrait of the man and his work, they also limit the book's use, making it more difficult to utilize chapters independently. Ultimately, though, this will prove a useful tool where Hardy's work is studied.—Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT

Gr 10 Up—This wide-ranging set provides both biographical and critical information in an accessible set. Covering the 18th through 21st centuries, it includes novelists, playwrights, poets, essayists, and authors of children's works. Each entry is individually penned and has a section on the life of the writer, her major works, critical responses to them, and a bibliography of both primary and secondary sources. Some entries are necessarily longer than others but all offer references for further study. Thus, a more obscure subject, such as the 19th-century Jamaican writer Mary Seacole, whose only work is one travel narrative, still receives over 15 references. Unfortunately, there are no illustrations. However, an index, list of awards won by the women, and biographical data on each contributor are useful. Libraries with titles such as Valerie Smith's African-American Writers (Gale, 2000) will still find this book a welcome addition for students and others interested in this gifted group.—Carol Fazioli, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA

Gr 7 Up—This historical dictionary will delight fans of the genre and pique the curiosity of others. Short, easy-to-read alphabetical entries mainly cover sci-fi terms from the 20th century, but also include some earlier ones. Corresponding first-usage information is largely taken from the Oxford English Dictionary Science Fiction Citations Project. Prucher cites diverse sources, including science-fiction novels and short stories, and mainstream print and online publications. Users will naturally build connections to popular culture when encountering familiar words such as "cyberspace" or "robot," which originated in the literature. Significant features include a thorough "Guide to the Dictionary" (which includes an explanation of cross-references, an abbreviations list, a pronunciation key, and other helpful guides), sidebar entries, and several well-compiled bibliographies. The absence of illustrations might deter reluctant readers from investigating the book. Overall, though, this dictionary's distinctive attributes make it a worthwhile purchase.—Cara Webster, Cumberland University Vise Library, Lebanon, TN

Gr 9 Up— Poverty tells not only the story of the poor and their current and past conditions, but also of how government and private citizens have responded to their needs. Both absolute and relative poverty are discussed. A lengthy introduction provides an overview and historical context. Subsequent chapters focus on historical periods and the attitudes that predominated during them. Working has been extensively revised and updated from the 2000 edition. While the types of workers described are the same, and include farm worker, slave, miner, and cowboy, the discussions of major trends, such as the emergence of organized labor, and the changing role of women, children, and African-American workers, have been updated to 2006. Both books include footnoted excerpts from primary sources such as diaries, news articles, and books, and the appendixes contain the texts of significant documents; brief biographies of major personalities; and maps, charts, and tables (the latter are new to Working). Most of the black-and-white archival images have been well selected to be representative of gender and ethnicity, are generally relevant, and include brief, informative captions. Valuable resources.—Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City

Gr 6–10—Expanding both the scope and the content of Dorothy and Carl J. Schneider's Slavery in America: From Colonial Times to the Civil War (Facts On File, 2000), this set will be an essential addition to any collection supporting a middle or high school American Studies curriculum. Here's what it has to offer: 10 overview essays, chronologically arranged and covering topics from the origins of African slavery to the inherent limits of Reconstruction; an alphabetical section of several hundred signed, easy-to-understand articles on specific people, places, and concepts; and 150 primary source documents, from provisions relating to slavery in John Locke's Carolina Constitution (1669) to a reflective 1883 address by Frederick Douglass. All of this is sandwiched between a detailed 350-year chronology (to 1877) and an equally painstaking index (the same one is provided in both volumes), and is supported by several maps and by occasional, but sharply reproduced, period photos or prints. Many of the articles end in "see" references, some of which create unusual links. Following a judicious appraisal of "Joel Chandler Harris," for instance, students are invited to study "Paternalism." All entries are followed by short further-reading lists. Aside from a cumulated resource list that is both indigestibly huge and confined to print materials, this work earns high marks for level of information, ease of access, and, of course, central importance of its subject matter.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 10 Up—Political science students will find this title to be valuable and interesting. A list of the more than 450 entries precedes the alphabetically arranged text, which covers topics such as absentee voting, campaign buttons, the Free Soil Party, machine politics, voting trends, and the Zapple Doctrine. Individual articles discuss presidential elections from 1788 to 2004. Specific politicians are not given their own entries, but can be located through the index. Arranged in two columns per page, the factual, unbiased entries vary in length from a half page to multiple pages, depending on the topic. Cross-references are indicated with words or phrases printed in all capital letters. Each entry is signed and concludes with a further reading list. The few black-and-white photos, lithographs, and political cartoons occupy one quarter to one half a page each; their captions generally add to the text. This is an excellent choice for collections needing basic explanations of political history and terminology.—Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS

Gr 7 Up—This set aims to provide students with an overall resource for this pivotal time in English history. Almanac is misleadingly titled, as it's more a standard textbooklike narrative survey of the era, concentrating heavily on cultural developments. It includes a section on daily life and offers eight ideas for corresponding activities and research projects. Biographies introduces 26 individuals, from statesmen and courtiers to explorers and scientists, each of whom is covered in an average of 7 to 10 pages, including a portrait; featured quote; birth, death, and profession information; sidebars introducing minor players; and cross-references. A significant oversight is that neither William Cecil nor Robert Dudley is referred to or indexed by his famous title (Lord Burghley and the Earl of Leicester). Primary Sources, the strongest of the volumes, gathers 21 pieces. Some (sonnets by Shakespeare and Elizabeth I) are full text, but most, such as the Queen's speeches, The Book of Common Prayer, and The Faerie Queene, are excerpted. Each selection has an introduction placing it in historical context, offers "things to remember" while reading, and closes with "What happened next," "Did you know," and "Consider the following" sections. All three volumes include occasional black-and-white illustrations, portraits, and maps, and an index. An accessible source to consider for a wide range of students of Shakespeare and Western history.—Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL

Gr 6 Up—The words "concise" and "comprehensive" describe the content of this compact book. In all, there are "100,000 words, phrases & examples" in the two sections: (American) English to Spanish and Spanish to (American) English. Definitions are fuller and more examples are given than in Merriam-Webster's Spanish-English Dictionary (Merriam-Webster, 2005). Current expressions, such as "servicio en linea" (online service), are included. Occasional boxes elucidate a word's meaning, cultural significance, or pronunciation. For example, the note on "flamenco" adds details about its origins, regional importance, and movements. Entry words appear in blue, while idiomatic expressions, etc., are in bold within the definition, enhancing readability. Pronunciation assistance is provided for the main entries. An insert contains several pages of simple but colorful maps. Extensive appended information includes Spanish grammar; tables of regular and irregular verb conjugations and suffixes and prefixes (with English equivalents, meanings, and examples); and geographical and country information. End pages provide information on how to use the dictionary and include notes on identifying diacritical markings, variant spellings, homographs, verb forms, parts of speech, and translation equivalents and symbols and abbreviations. Additionally, an e-book ticket, attached to the inside of the back cover, allows access to a Mobipocket e-book Reader that is compatible with varying technologies from PCs to PDAs. Options (in these formats) for adding personal notes, modifying text, and linking to other texts extend the use of this dynamic volume.—Tina Hudak, St. Albans School for Boys, Washington, DC

Gr 10 Up—An introductory essay surveying the period from the 16th to the 21st centuries precedes entries on nearly 200 writers and more than 200 major works, many followed by further-reading suggestions. Entries on individual novels, listed alphabetically by English translation, outline plots and cite significant techniques, key characters, etc. Brief entries cover topics such as the epistolary novel, courtly love, the French Revolution, the July Monarchy, Vichy France, and "isms" (symbolism, structuralism), with longer entries for major authors. Many Francophone writers such as Tahar Ben Jelloun, Assia Djebar, Ahmadou Kourouma, and Camara Laye are included. There are some discrepancies between the index and the text. For example, "Stream of consciousness" is listed in the index, but style indirect libre, a technique mentioned in the Flaubert entry, is not. Also, it is unfortunate that there is no list of significant literary prizes and their winners. Timothy Unwin's The Cambridge Companion to the French Novel: From 1800 to the Present (Cambridge Univ., 1997) offers the varied perspectives of multiple contributors whereas Taylor provides a longer historical reach. Suitable for AP French Literature students.—Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI

Gr 9 Up—This alphabetically arranged work "aids readers exploring topics, terms, themes, figures, and issues within the study of American folklore." The more than 450 entries, most of which are less than a page long, cover their topics in a dry, sober, and overly succinct fashion. For example, the article on Columbus Day, included because of its subject's "place within the national imagination," gives the basic facts about this holiday, but never mentions that many U.S. urban areas celebrate Italian-American heritage in general, at least as much as the explorer, on that day. The book discusses the campaigns that have arisen to declare this holiday politically incorrect without examining the reasons why in any depth. Another article, "computer folklore," has little to say about the email folklore that spread widely in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and never mentions specific examples of it, such as the "email tax" spam that circulated widely a few years ago. The encyclopedia is accurate, and covers many of the basic motifs in American folklore that students need to understand, but it won't inspire young researchers to look any further into what can be a fascinating subject.—Walter Minkel, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up—The 4000-plus short dictionary entries and encyclopedia articles in this edition are in alphabetical order and consistent in style. Information covers prehistory through the 21st century, with an emphasis on Britain. This edition provides a wider selection of articles than the first and updates some for currency. The most useful, and the longest, entries are those on countries. On the whole, though, the content is cursory, inconsistent in its coverage of women and minorities, and lacks a unifying vision. Thumbnail maps of countries and larger ones describing historical events and eras are scattered throughout. The smaller maps require some geographical knowledge, and the others are not labeled thoroughly, though in some cases a map describing a related subject may contain the missing information. Similar coverage is available in encyclopedias, including the Oxford Illustrated Encyclopedia (1993; o.p.), which this book is based on, and the Oxford Reference Online database. The country information is online in the CIA World Factbook. Libraries still needing an updated historical dictionary would be better off purchasing John J. Butt's The Greenwood Dictionary of World History (2006), which is more appropriate for high-school students, being more readable and designed specifically for assignments, or the broader Chambers Dictionary of World History (2005).—Ellen Loughran, Pratt School of Information and Library Science, Brooklyn, NY