Reference Reviews

Gr 7 Up–This set offers the same extensive research and attention to detail that were so evident in Axelrod’s Patton (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006). The more than 600 alphabetically organized entries use straightforward language and are supported by maps, black-and-white photographs, cross-references, and further-reading suggestions. Excellent use is made of subtitles (particularly in the entries involving weaponry specifications). Coverage is international. For example, the subject of aircraft is broken down into separate entries for British, French, German, Italian, Polish, Soviet, and American machines. There are the inevitable omissions that are inherent in a work that claims to be comprehensive but not exhaustive. For example, there is no separate entry for the British Special Operations Executive (though information on that topic can be accessed through the index), and the entry on Japanese atrocities omits mention of the massacre of prisoners of war at the Palawan prison camp. Overall, however, this relevant and informative introductory resource provides exemplary general coverage that can hold its own against other works on the subject.–Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

Gr 3-7–Glossy color photos of players past and present accompany brief, alphabetically arranged entries on the League’s history, social issues, and icons, as well as the technical aspects of the sport. Each team is covered on a spread, while most other entries are limited to a page or less. Thus, students looking for more substantial research will have to search elsewhere. The books do well, however, in exploring the history of the sport and the people who helped make it a national obsession. Both fans and newcomers are sure to appreciate the accessible text and plentiful pictures. A list of top 10 players in statistical categories and a thorough index are appended. This will be a popular resource, even in collections already owning the “Inside the NFL” series (The Child’s World).–Carol Fazioli, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA

Gr 10 Up–A condensation of Grove Art Online, these volumes contain more than 1000 articles on core aspects of Classical art. An informative but concise introduction outlines the period’s history (through AD 324, including Jewish and Christian Classical art). The accurate, somewhat scholarly entries, most based to varying extents on those in The Grove Dictionary of Art (1996; o.p.), range from a few lines (“Arcade”) to more than 100 pages (“Architecture”). Among the topics likely to appeal to general readers are “Aesthetics” (with its discussion of mimesis), art collection (with a section on forgeries), Lord Elgin, “Erotic Art” (with three explicit illustrations), “Narrative Art,” “Pompeii,” and Johann Joachim Winckelmann (considered the fountainhead of Classical studies). Most of the 500-plus halftone reproductions are sharp, but the inset containing 38 clear color photos merely whets the appetite. A thematic index of sites, artists, and deities in volume one and an extensive cumulative index in volume two accommodate students (looking for Nimes? See: Nemausus); technical and Greek/Latin terms are translated. The typeface is small, and especially so in the general index, but clear. A welcome resource for reports.–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George’s School, Newport, RI

Gr 9 Up–This unabridged edition includes 360,000 words and phrases and 550,000 translations. The dictionary is particularly noteworthy for its numerous usage, translation, and cultural notes, as well as its extensive examples from everyday life. Supplemental material covers French spelling reform, language varieties and difficulties, and “link” words and expressions (“that is to say…”). The book also provides sample letters and documents, plus information on using French and English on the telephone and when text-messaging, writing email, and using the Internet. (A guide to living in France or English-speaking countries is, of necessity, abbreviated and of only limited value.) A helpful CD-ROM, SpeakFrench, allows students to type (or copy and paste) in up to 500 characters and hear them spoken, with adjustable speed settings. New to this edition is a glossary of grammatical terms. This work will be useful for advanced French classes, although for most schools The Concise Oxford-Hachette French Dictionary (3rd ed., 2004)–shorter, but with most of the unabridged’s extras, and less expensive–will suffice.–Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

Gr 6 Up–This attractive volume highlights military facets of the conflict. Chronology entries vary in length but give detailed information on major battles. Politics and diplomacy are mentioned but only as supplemental to the military focus. The second part of the book is a biographical dictionary containing 107 sketches of military and naval figures, most with photographs. Each of these entries has a short bibliography, and names are cross-referenced. Black-and-white maps and a detailed bibliography including current publications on the Civil War conclude the volume. This work’s outstanding feature is the almanac. It lists each day’s naval encounters and events in the North, South, West, and Southwest, as applicable, dramatizing the national scope of the war as nothing else can. The sheer magnitude of the chronology (it is more than 600 pages) is impressive. Students can use this volume as a handy ready reference or for in-depth reports.–Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

Gr 5 Up–This riveting volume provides a much-needed expansion and update of one of the best references on the subject. Well researched and engagingly written, the comprehensive work provides more than 600 alphabetically arranged articles, with appended bibliographies, on the history of ghosts and spirits from the ancient world to contemporary times. Coverage includes entries on paranormal investigators, infamous haunted places (the Borley Rectory, the Antietam Battlefield, Alcatraz), objective and well-balanced investigations of hauntings (such as the Amityville case), descriptions of types of ghosts and spirits, and of communication with the spirit world. Additional pieces include discussions of out-of-body experiences, phantom ships, possession, reincarnation, mediums, and electronic voice phenomena. The two well-spaced columns of clear type per page are interspersed with relevant and instructive black-and-white photographs. A thorough index adds to the usefulness of the work. This is an outstanding tool for serious researchers and laypeople alike. It complements and supplements Hans Holzer’s less-balanced Ghosts: True Encounters with the World Beyond (Black Dog & Leventhal, 1997).–Hillary Jan Donitz-Goldstein, formerly at New York Public Library

Gr 10 Up–This in-depth work covers the populations of the United States and Canada. The essays are alphabetical within each section and include cross-references and further-reading suggestions. The first volume also boasts three sets of essays: chronological (“Pre-contact Indian History,” “Indian Immigrants and Removals,” “Termination and Indian Sovereignty”); issues of importance throughout American Indian history (education, alcoholism, the environment and pollution); and significant events (exploration, wars, migrations). Two sections in the next volume include entries focusing on culture and governments. The discussions in volume three on people and groups are followed by primary-source documents, mainly consisting of the texts of treaties, legal decisions, and messages to Congress. The last volume focuses on specific Indian Nations and their histories, organized first by geography, and then alphabetically within regions. It also contains a section on resources–from lists of mascots to the addresses of tribal governments and national organizations. Each volume contains the same master index. The tone is positive, and the clear, unbiased text is descriptive rather than value-laden. An occasional black-and-white illustration enhances the otherwise utilitarian appearance. This encyclopedia should be considered by every library supporting Native American studies.–Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City

Gr 10 Up–As well as discussing topics related to energy, this work serves as a guide to the literature of energy issues, legislation, and policy through the inclusion of numerous primary sources and an extensive annotated bibliography. The first section, “At Issue,” consists of an overview of related concerns and a discussion of the different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources since prehistory. A discussion of these topics from a U.S. and then from a global perspective focuses on six key countries: China, Germany, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Venezuela. The second section presents primary-source documents such as laws, treaties, and newspaper articles, from the same previously mentioned perspectives, and international treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol. The last part informs beginning researchers how to find and evaluate information relating to energy supply, use, conservation, equity, etc. This is followed by “Facts and Figures”–charts and graphs from a range of sources such as BP and Sandia National Laboratories; “Key Players A to Z” (brief biographical notes on those mentioned in the book as well as other scientists, policy makers, and statesmen); and a valuable directory of “Organizations and Agencies.” The advantage of this work over other titles on energy is that it combines basic facts with a guide to doing research from print sources and online.–Judith V. Lechner, Auburn University, AL

Gr 10 Up–College students with some knowledge of Chinese language and society will get the most out of this handbook. Still, it can also serve as a high-school-level introduction to China’s media (half the book is dedicated to film, TV, radio, newspapers, the Internet, etc.) and some other aspects of culture (leisure, sports, theater, and music). In a brief preface, Latham defines his purview as unofficial, mass-market products for enjoyment–excluding visual and literary arts, gender issues, religion, tourism, and advertising. The book is arranged in thematic chapters such as “Mass Media in China” and “Sports and Martial Arts,” with subtopics including traditional opera, censorship, and the development of consumption. Overall, the volume is carefully edited, but there are a few lapses, including identification of the Boxers as largely Christian; black-and-white photos that are sometimes generic (wheat, iPods, ducks); and grammatical errors. Further-reading lists include almost no Internet sites. Sidebars include informational nuggets such as the vogue for bowling, and a short biography of movie star Ruan Lingyu. Concise historical background for each topic and the wealth of information gathered here make this a valuable, if demanding, reference source.–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George’s School, Newport, RI

Gr 5 Up–Each volume begins with the same general introduction, followed by a comprehensive list of the 250 species included. Entries feature several (often large) close-up photographs of the bird and its home, and data on breeding, status, food, and habitat. A panel provides information on length and weight, wingspan, number of eggs, lifespan, and more. A “key features” sidebar offers some fascinating facts while a highlighted map notes the creatures’ range. A four-part illustrated sequence in each entry describes some behavior particular to the species–such as mating or hunting habits. Both browsers and budding ornithologists will enjoy learning about some intriguing creatures, such as the African gray parrot, which is no birdbrain; not only does it use tools, but it can also develop a vocabulary of more than 800 words. Volume six includes a simple two-page glossary, brief bibliography, and index of both common and scientific names. In some instances, users will have to do a little work to find what they’re looking for; “owl,” for example, is not in volume four under the letter “O,” as youngsters might expect. However, the index will lead them to separate entries for the nine varieties found in the set. The sophisticated sentence structure and vocabulary make this set most suitable for older students.–Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

Gr 10 Up–Organized alphabetically, and cross-referenced within each signed article, this work covers American Indian literature and writers in the United States and Canada from the late 1700s to today. It discusses literary works, significant subjects (reservation life, sovereignty, humor) and broad topics (children’s and regional literature, poetry) as they relate to American Indians, and also presents brief biographies of Indian writers. The introduction highlights several significant authors, many of whom have written in more than one genre. It also charts the complexity of determining which writers or works to include, as there are some authors whose status as Indian might be questionable, and some who write about issues that are not specifically relevant to their culture. Most of the analysis included is glowingly positive. Also, coverage in certain articles (gender, boarding schools, Wounded Knee) clearly exhibits a pro-Indian point of view. In contrast, other entries in the same volume temper assertions using phrases such as “it is widely agreed that” or “many experts say.” Despite this subjectivity, the writing is clear and accessible throughout and has broad gender and geographic coverage. A brief bibliography follows most articles. There is a comprehensive index and bibliographies of works by selected authors and of secondary sources. Although Kathy J. Whitson’s Native American Literatures (ABC-CLIO, 1999) is similar in focus and audience, this fine volume can support both literature and American-Indian studies and will be a worthwhile and timely addition.–Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City

Gr 9 Up–Spanning from the 19th-century origins of the genre to contemporary works, this volume includes 337 entries, with more than 200 traditionally canonical and lesser-known authors represented. The alphabetically arranged entries are accessible by writer or literary work. Selections include novels, screenwriting, nonfiction pieces, poems, drama, memoirs, short stories, and more. Though there are no illustrations, these brief, user-friendly treatments include features such as biographical information, a synopsis, critical analysis, cross-references, bibliographies, and occasional recommended reading lists. Appendixes include a “Bibliography of Major Works by Asian-American Writers,” a “Bibliography of Secondary Sources,” and a “List of Contributors.” This work supplements many required texts and encourages further study. There are no comparable, current sources as comprehensive as this one.–Cara Webster, Cumberland University Vise Library, Lebanon, TN

Gr 9 Up–The 150 signed essays in this set cover people, events, and inventions of the Industrial Revolution, and discuss how the movement affected not only business and trade, but also society, politics, and even ecology in many countries. The entries provide important facts, yet are often thoughtful and philosophical. For example, “Architecture” describes how materials and engineering developments influenced building environmental systems and created a new aesthetic. An article on the typewriter describes the development of electronic shorthand reminiscent of today’s instant messaging. Entries on major figures, such as Thomas Edison, Michael Faraday, and Henry Ford, highlight major accomplishments. More information, however, is available through the cross-references. Some minor individuals, such as Joseph Fourier, who developed the first greenhouse-effect theory, can only be found through the index. Appended are excerpts from primary sources (listed in the front of the volume, but not found in the comprehensive index), including George Bernard Shaw’s report on the Fabians, the Embargo Act, and the Monroe Doctrine. Two fascinating excerpts describing the life of a London vagrant and an interview with a child factory worker are gems. The black-and-white illustrations and photos are sparse but informative. Many other volumes expound on inventions and inventors, but this one stands out for its treatment of Japan, Russia, and other countries, as well as its coverage of the sociological, ecological, and aesthetic implications of this period.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 7 Up–This concise, alphabetically arranged work describes hundreds of people (most of whom are living) in various fields of communications. It includes, for example, reporters, anchormen and -women, talk-show hosts, and television producers. A general list of entries and one by field of endeavor open the first volume. Each of the mostly one- to two-page entries includes biographical information (somewhat disconcertingly, dates are written in British format, such as 7 September 1964), work experience, awards, and, in some cases, includes anecdotes or articles by or about the individual. The further-reading list at the end of each entry is helpful, as is the comprehensive bibliography and the detailed index. There is no other work of this type for this age group still in print. A worthwhile resource for biography or communications projects.–Ivy Miller, Kirby Library, Kingston, PA

Gr 9 Up–Many updates and 25 additional authors make this revision of the 2000 edition worth a second look. For example, the revised essay on Joan Didion includes information on her National Book Award for The Year of Magical Thinking (Knopf, 2005) and there is new analysis for Philip Roth’s The Plot against America (Houghton, 2004). New essays include those on John Grisham, Toni Cade Bambera, Barbara Kingsolver, and Ernest Gaines. The majority of the 145 authors included are those most studied in high school. From James Agee to Richard Wright, they include a mix of genders, genres, and cultures. In general, young adult and children’s authors are not represented, and even the entries for Louisa May Alcott, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Ursula K. LeGuin, and Louise Erdrich lean toward their more adult works. The alphabetically arranged articles, averaging five to eight pages in length, include a list of the authors’ significant fiction, their principal literary forms, a short biographical section, and a general analysis of their work followed by critical reviews of individual novels. The entries, which are followed by a comprehensive index, will be most valuable to students looking for plot and character development, point of view, and themes. A small black-and-white photo is included for each author. This volume is similar in size and scope to Abby H. P. Werlock’s The Facts On File Companion to the American Novel (2006), but without as many contemporary author choices.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 10 Up–The 500-plus alphabetically arranged entries in this wide-ranging survey cover the canon, with special focus on more recent novelists, poets, playwrights, and prominent critics. The book also includes nods to selected visual and rap artists, as well as entries on historical movements, common themes, fictional characters, and such influential figures as Emmett Till and cartoonist Aaron McGruder (creator of The Boondocks). The entries, each signed by one of approximately 150 contributors, are backed up by a thorough index of names and subjects. The one- to two-page articles cover their topics in depth and close with a brief bibliography. This resource will be of value chiefly to college-bound students, as most of the works analyzed were created for adult audiences, and coverage does not extend to, for instance, Mildred Taylor, the Pinkneys, or even Walter Dean Myers. Despite these and other questionable gaps–such as no mentions of Alex Haley’s Roots (Doubleday, 1976), or of Oprah–Samuels’s work will update older resources in libraries for which Hans Ostrom and J. David Macey’s more extensive, but also far more expensive Greenwood Encyclopedia of African American Literature (2005) is out of reach.–John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up–Though it adds little, save for a dedicated focus, to other collections on English-language poets, this biographical dictionary will certainly satisfy readers in need of brief information on Robert Burns; Mary Howitt; Mina Loy; Henry Vaughan; Cormac, King of Cashel; and Eavan Boland, among other ancient and contemporary writers. The 1270 biographies are short (approximately 250 words or less), only leaving room for a concise life story and critical assessment. Each entry is followed by a limited list of sources, including Web sites. The volume includes a useful nationality index. There are no illustrations. For those in need of a ready reference on British and Irish poets from Saint Patrick to Jacob Polley, this is the book. However, libraries that already own Margaret Drabble’s The Oxford Companion to English Literature (2006) or EBSCO’s online Literary Reference Center have access to information on all the essential figures found in this volume, and more.–Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TX

Gr 9 Up-Appearing five years after the ninth edition, the most comprehensive science encyclopedia available continues its noble (if quixotic) mission to provide current information about every aspect of science and technology, on a level that is “understandable and useful to any person of modest technical training.” The overall format remains unchanged. From “A15 phases” to “Zygophyllales,” the 7000-plus articles are arranged into a single alphabet, followed by a topical index of article titles, 15 subject study guides, and a comprehensive index. Replete with cross-references and specific facts, each article opens with a basic definition, closes with a bibliography, and in between treats its topic in close detail. Copious figures, equations, diagrams, and black-and-white photos appear throughout, supplemented by the occasional color plate. A new feature of this edition is an associated free Web site for updates and multimedia content. As of September 2007, it contains a small group of articles, some reproduced from the print work and others unique to the Web edition, along with some photo sets, though there is no provision for an updated index. Many print articles have been subjected to minor revision since the previous edition, but a mention of Pluto’s reclassification is one of the few updates newer than 2005, and even that happened more than a year ago. Still, for readers in search of hard information on criminalistics, cladistics, geophagia, or any of thousands of other specialized topics, there is no more reliable or accessible resource. –John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up–With entries written from a wide spectrum of economic, historical, cultural, and sociological viewpoints, Class provides an informal, nonacademic introduction to understanding and discussing this thorny issue. The 525 alphabetically arranged entries run the gamut from Hurricane Katrina, Noam Chomsky, and the Bush family to Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, the working class, and food banks, and successfully balance historical perspective with manifestations of class in contemporary America. Each entry begins with a clear definition and is followed by an overview of the topic, which typically acknowledges, but does not delve deeply into, any underlying debate. Entries feature cross-references in bold throughout, and each one closes with a list of suggested readings. This set serves as a jumping-off point rather than an exhaustive resource. The bibliographical essay in volume three provides a clear path to the next level of research. Infrequent black-and-white photographs, cartoons, and document reproductions enhance the text. Students will welcome such an easily digested introductory resource.–Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT

Gr 5-9–Except for one overview volume, Forces of Nature, the books in this attractive set each cover one type of disaster or a group of related disaster types. They range from the spectacular–Earthquakes; Hurricanes, Typhoons, & Other Tropical Cyclones; Landslides, Mudslides, & Avalanches; Pandemics; Tornadoes; Tsunamis & Seiches; Volcanoes; and Wildfires–to the more common but sometimes no less deadly Floods, Droughts, Blizzards, Ice Storms, Thunderstorms, and Heat Waves. Snappy two-page chapters define forces; discuss effects, prevention, and related science; and provide numerous recent and historical examples (such as descriptions of the Black Death, the 1918-19 flu epidemic, and HIV and AIDS in Pandemics). Insets provide eyewitness accounts and other tidbits, though some, such as a description of annual festivals in the “Seasons” section of Forces, do not directly relate to natural disasters. Fundamentals are explained clearly and the books are never sensational. Controversies are not discussed directly, but are alluded to in phrases such as “Most scientists believe….” Clear color diagrams accompany descriptions of physical forces, and well-chosen color photographs, maps, or satellite images on each page illustrate calamities and their effects. Each book includes a science-fair activity, most of which use inexpensive, readily available materials. Though some of the information here is covered in books such as those in the DK “Eyewitness” series, the beauty of this set is that it covers seiches (the less extreme cousins of tsunamis) and more mundane phenomena (thunderstorms, floods) that are less ubiquitous in print.-Henrietta Thornton-Verma, School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up–This title includes more than 40 key primary-source documents from the last two centuries pertaining to the evolution vs. creation debate. The sourced documents are arranged in chronological chapters, and examine topics ranging from beliefs about evolution before Darwin’s On the Origin of Species to intelligent design and current school-board debates about its inclusion in the curriculum. Chapters begin with an overview of the major events and issues concerning the primary resources, placing them in historical context. In addition, brief introductions to the individual readings illuminate the authors’ claims. Each chapter ends with a glossary. The dense text concludes with a comprehensive listing of print and electronic resources for more information. Black-and-white photographs and illustrations appear throughout. The writing is clear, and, unlike many other resources on this topic, the editors deftly present both sides of the discussion. For this reason, as well as for the inclusion of primary-source materials, this title will be a useful addition.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA