Reference Review

Gr 9 Up–These comprehensive, engaging, and well-researched sets are masterful investigations of remarkable civilizations. Exhaustive yet accessible, Society ranges from prehistoric times to the fall of Rome (476 C.E.) and includes Western and non-Western cultures and civilizations. Sixty-nine articles cover a wealth of relevant topics such as art, economy, government, military, religion, scandals, and writing. Each well-crafted piece begins with an introductory survey, then views developments in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and the Americas. Articles are appended with meticulous cross-references and further-reading lists that include accurate Web sites. Primary-source documents, sidebars with supplementary instructive material, numerous black-and-white photos and illustrations, and clear maps are additional highlights. The last volume boasts a chronology by region. Ancient World also presents a cultural and societal investigation of ancient Africa, Europe, the Americas, the Near East, Southwest Asia, and Asia and the Pacific. Lucid, fact-packed entries are arranged alphabetically and cover topics such as civilizations and peoples, culture, agriculture, key places, and war and military affairs. Sidebars discuss early technological discoveries, parallels between historical periods and places, and notable individuals. Color photos, maps, and time lines are striking additions. While the sets are for the same audience, Society provides more comprehensive coverage, and its language is more sophisticated. Ancient World, with its extra white space and color illustrations, will work well with reluctant researchers.–Hillary Jan Donitz-Goldstein, formerly at New York Public Library

Gr 7 Up–This accessible resource will be valuable in a wide variety of classes, including public speaking and journalism. Each entry includes an overview of the company behind the publication, what appears on the site, images, reasons to visit, and a rating of the content. Web site reviews on this topic are available from many online and print sources, but this one is the most concise and easiest to use. Be forewarned: because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, the “What You’ll Find There” sections of each entry are likely to change. All in all, though, this is a useful book.–Ivy Miller, Kirby Library, Kingston, PA

Gr 9 Up–Burt claims in the preface that he tried to “balance the personal, critical, and popular” while compiling this ranking, and kept an eye on posterity for those plays that best represent the dramatic form from William Shakespeare’s King Lear to James M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. Indeed, the list covers the ancients (Aeschylus’s Oresteia) and moderns (Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman), and various cultures (Tony Kushner’s Angels in America) and countries (Chikamatsu Monzaemon’s The Love Suicides at Sonezaki). There are no big surprises in the dramatists listed: everyone from Sophocles to Federico García Lorca to David Mamet is included. Each entry covers a particular play, so William Shakespeare, as well as a few others such as Anton Chekhov, have several. Burt provides an overview of each work and explores its central themes. Curiously, the only critical information included is at the beginning of each entry in the form of a quote from another author, but full citations are missing. Readers can still glean some insight into the plays and playwrights for research or for curiosity’s sake. However, this book will best supplement Magill’s Masterplots II: Drama Series (Salem, 2003) or another drama survey.–Carol Fazioli, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA

Gr 9 Up–Among the key writers represented in Calvert’s valuable work are Sayyid Qutb, Ayatollah Khomeini, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, Usama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and Abu Mu'sab al-Zarqawi. Nine chapters organize the 41 (mostly excerpted) documents by subjects such as “Islamist Movements and Thinkers”; “Islamism, Democracy, and the Limits of Freedom”; “Women and Family in Islamist Discourses”; and “Global Jihad.” For each chapter there is a substantive introduction, and each document’s date, place of publication, and significance are noted. Most importantly, each document is followed by “Context and Analysis” and, usually, further-reading citations. The essays offer scholarly, dispassionate accounts of such topics as the Muslim Brotherhood, the Mahdi, Wahhabism, and influential ideologues. Sidebars providing another 27 brief extracts add a couple of women to the author list. A useful introduction defines Islamism, traces its history, and outlines Islam’s origins and doctrines. The index is surprisingly inadequate (the prophet Muhammad has only one entry, for example, and Arab nationalism has none). Since typographic markers (like boldface) are also absent, data is sometimes buried. When two documents cite The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, nothing informs readers that that text is spurious. These sources convincingly counter the idea of a monolithic Islamism and demonstrate that all Islamism is “extreme,” but not all is militant. This mine of information may be challenging for secondary readers but its objective analysis is essential to an understanding of one of the world’s most influential movements.–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George’s School, Newport, RI

Gr 8 Up–Expanding to five thick volumes from the 2005 edition’s four, this encyclopedic resource contains more than 1000 entries, most of which are new or updated, plus an array of special features from dozens of “In the News” inset boxes to a lengthy appendix of “Symptoms and Warning Signs” (a hypochondriac’s delight). Topics range far beyond descriptions of disorders and their treatments to include the basics of human physiology and anatomy, cognitive development, medical specialties, cloning and mutation, and even issues such as using the Internet for medical information. Written by more than 300 medical experts, the densely informational articles range from 500 to 3500 words each and are arranged into a single alphabet and capped by bibliographies and see-also references. The black-and-white illustrations aren’t many, but do include helpful diagrams and drawings, along with the occasional photo. Two indexes in each volume (“Entries by Anatomy or System Affected” and “Entries by Specialties and Related Fields”) and an extra general index in the final one facilitate navigation. Along with many pages of leads to further print and online resources in volume five, the set includes a single-institution access key to the extensive Salem Health Database. A good choice for libraries in need of a more economically priced alternative to The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine (2006).–John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up–This second edition of a 2001 publication contains 300 new (trace metals, marine snow) or revised (tsunami, explorers and explorations) entries for a total of more than 3000. Definitions are related to the broad field of marine science, which includes areas of biochemistry, botany, chemistry, ecology, geology, meteorology, and zoology. They range from one sentence to a column, and are followed by cross-references. Black-and-white graphs, line drawings, tables, and illustrations help clarify information. Five appendixes cover the geologic time scale, a chronology of significant events in marine history, the taxonomic classification of living organisms, recent or ongoing research projects, and Web sites. The bibliography is organized by subject. This concise, scientific dictionary will benefit advanced science students.-Teresa Moffett, Fulton High School, Knoxville, TN

Gr 9 Up–From the Black Sox scandal of 1919 to the investigations of Abu Ghraib through 2006, this set looks closely at 35 particularly newsworthy American crimes. In some cases legal events take on greater significance than the act that initiated them, as in the Scopes Trial, while others, such as “Alphonse Capone,” focus more on crimes and detection. Most articles range from 15 to 25 pages, providing considerable detail on key moments along with thought-provoking discussion about their significance. Most entries are chronological, adding historical background as needed and avoiding sensationalizing the drama and suspense, which emerge effectively through the factual narratives. Clear distinctions between evidence, speculation, and consensus opinions provide fairly balanced views throughout. Articles look beyond specific events, stressing the powerful impacts of the media, public perception, and the moods of the times. Political movements, such as the role of the abortion debate in the Scott Peterson case, add further valuable context, and many articles examine the long-term legal and social impacts that the trials may have inspired. Two small black-and-white photos accompany a typical article. Shaded sidebars provide time lines, factoids, and further information, such as a biography of Rodney King in the article related to his case. Clear writing, strong organization, and involving subject matter make this a strong resource. The editors also produced the five-volume Famous American Crimes and Trials (Praeger, 2004), and nearly half of the essays here also appeared in that set, though this one has some added sidebars.–Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

Gr 7 Up–This thorough and comprehensive overview of the history and culture of African Americans is arranged chronologically, beginning with life in ancient Africa and continuing up to the present day. More text- and illustration-heavy than other atlases, it updates the 2001 edition with additional full-color maps (73 in all), black-and-white and color photographs, and illustrations (143 and 39, respectively); and recent events, such as the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans and on the rest of the country. The book covers the slave trade through to the Civil War and its aftermath, discussing slaves’ contributions to this country, Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and black political and cultural leaders. The graphs and charts are particularly informative, chronicling the slave trade (including its triangular aspect) and migration routes. Ciment includes a discussion of rap and hip-hop, with maps indicating the home cities and spheres of influence of prominent artists. Similar to Colin A. Palmer’s The Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History (Gale, 2006), this text supplies a great deal of information and is a solid choice.–Carol Jones Collins, Columbia High School, Maplewood, NJ

Gr 10 Up–This thorough history will be a goldmine for students doing reports and looking for original documents, and may well be the most useful one-volume reference on Social Security for adult readers, too. There are 30 pages of introductory history, covering from 1935 through 2006. The rest of the book is original documents–171 in all–on 9 general topics: creating Social Security, political struggles, extending benefits, indexing benefits to the rate of inflation, benefits in the 1980s, and controversies over financing (4 long chapters cover the troublesome periods 1935-1939, 1973-1977, 1983, and 1983-2006). Documents include presidential statements, interviews, acts of Congress, Congressional reports, letters, and studies. A list of legislation affecting the program and Medicare is included in the appendix, as are statistics on the number of participants, monies expended, etc. There is much up-to-date information here, including original documents on the privatization wars of the George W. Bush administration. A valuable resource.–Linda Beck, Indian Valley Public Library, Telford, PA

Gr 5-8–This revision of the 17-volume Encyclopedia of Mammals (Marshall Cavendish, 1997) covers a wealth of alphabetically arranged topics, including physiology, habitat, life cycle, territorial requirements, feeding habits, and social inclinations. Though the many color photos are new, some of the artwork has been recycled, and some maps altered. The layout is better, and the text easier to read and comprehend, though some concepts will remain challenging to younger readers. The set retains some confusing oddities, e.g., the different types of bears are covered separately. While there are see-also references at the end of each article, the index rarely reflects them. Though an article on how mammals evolved has been removed, evolution is covered in 37 index subentries, and human evolution is covered in some of the primate articles. Mating is discussed but the photos are less explicit than in Encyclopedia. This new set boasts, among other things, thematic and comprehensive indexes, a further-reading list (mostly adult), and a long Webliography. The same mammalian family tree appears in each volume. The branches get a tad tangled in the introductory paragraph, but the twigs providentially provide volume and page number for each animal featured. Despite organizational quirks (and a disparity between the social structure described in “Meerkats” and that depicted in Animal Planet’s popular Meerkats Manor television show), this set presents a wide range of animals–some familiar, but with a surprising number of lesser-knowns. The subjects are exactly those sought for reports and will supplement existing trade titles.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 8 Up–Laying another cornerstone for studies of African-American history and culture, the prolific author fronts a host of scholarly contributors to present detailed profiles of more than 4000 people, past and present. Along with all of the “canonical figures” from Esteban to Frederick Douglass, readers are introduced to an array of Bakers ranging from Josephine and Frankie to renowned librarian Augusta; ex-slave Charlie Aarons; midwives Margaret Charles Smith and Onnie Lee Logan; Oprah Winfrey; and numerous other businesspeople, scientists, politicians, performers, athletes, laborers, artists, scholars, and soldiers. The alphabetically arranged articles open with a quick identifying phrase; close with recommended print and, often, archival resources; and in between present a dense but revealing mix of biography and analytical comments (even in grade school, Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin “displayed a precocious talent for dissent”). Access is an issue; aside from highlighting the names of fellow entrants, plus an occasional name-variant “see” note, there are no cross-references, and the indexes in the final volume are limited to long lists of names under birthplaces, awards, and broad occupational categories. The photographs and other black-and-white illustrations are scanty, small, and poorly reproduced. Nonetheless, conceived as a complement for The American National Biography (2002) and unique in its breadth, this monumental work supersedes the selective edition published as African American Lives (2004, both Oxford) and belongs in every substantial print reference collection. Future updates will be added to the online version in the publisher’s African American Studies Center.–John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up–Of this set’s 1112 essays, 313 are new, with the remainder having been previously published in other Salem references. The chronologically arranged entries (mostly about the United States) provide information on a wide variety of topics, including traditional political and military topics, scientific and medical discoveries, economics, sports, and the written and performance arts. One of the work’s biggest strengths is its focus on environmental and popular culture subjects, both covered in many entries. Thus, readers can learn about the beginnings and growth of the environmental movement and will also see how the miniskirt, birth control pill, and television situation comedies and Westerns changed behavior and culture in the Unites States and around the world. The signed essays are about two to four pages long, and each includes “summary of the event” and “significance” sections, and an annotated bibliography. The text is supplemented by average-quality black-and-white photos, illustrations, maps, cartoons, and graphs. Essays are internally cross-referenced and extensively indexed by place, category, person, and subject. Informative and absorbing.–Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 9 Up–This set of literary criticism retains many of the useful features and the arrangement (alphabetically by work) of its predecessor (1992), while improving its accessibility as a research tool. For instance, the brief character descriptions, previously provided in order of appearance, are now more easily located, in in-depth alphabetical listings. The plot synopses, originally by act only, are subdivided by scene. Principal themes such as “True love” and “Hubris” have been made subheadings. Some of the essays from the earlier edition reappear in the update, although generally in briefer form; however, many have been replaced. This is also true for the annotated further-reading list, whose sources are both more numerous and more current. The illustrations–artistic renderings and performance photos–remain essentially the same in number, but they are of a better quality. The new “What Do I Read Next?” sections in each entry provide excellent suggestions on related poems, plays, novels, and critical works. In addition, the glossary and the cumulative index of themes are now found in each volume. Classroom aids include lists of topics for discussion, ideas for research papers, and critical sources and media adaptations, making the work an excellent resource for teachers as well as for students. Both school and public libraries would be well advised to purchase this updated version.–Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI

Gr 10 Up–Designed as a companion volume to the exhibits at the Ocean Hall in the Smithsonian National Museum, this book will dazzle readers with its large color illustrations and appealing photographs of the oceans, marine life, and related systems. Exhaustive in nature, this work provides facts, maps, and satellite images while discussing climate, weather, vital ecosystems, human interaction, conservation, and the future of these bodies of water. The book’s wide scope makes it an appropriate selection to support science, ecology, and weather and climate courses. It will complement National Geographic’s Atlas of the Ocean: The Deep Frontier (2001), which focuses specifically on the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Polar oceans and provides more maps and scientific text than this work on their ecosystems. Hidden Depths, on the other hand, deals with the interaction of all systems that are affected by oceans and its images and style will be more appealing to young adults.–Teresa Moffett, Fulton High School, Knoxville, TN

Gr 9 Up–Each volume in this set has a different editor and covers a different period: the ancient world; the medieval era; the “Early Modern Period” (1400-1600); the Colonial and Revolutionary age; the 19th century; and the modern world. The books explore the customs, cultural attitudes, art and literature, and people significant to the time. The volumes share common features–all begin with a list of entries and a chronology of selected events and conclude with a selected bibliography, a volume-specific index, and list of contributors. However, while the books are for the most part organized alphabetically, The Ancient World is divided by broad themes (mainly civilizations) with alphabetically arranged subtopics. Therefore, it is challenging to follow a single theme chronologically. In most cases, the decision to include a topic is self-evident, but every so often selections are puzzling. For example, unless it is because he fathered many children, the inclusion of Bernal Díaz del Castillo mystifies. The essays are well written and unbiased, and the topics are inclusive relative to gender and race. Each signed essay includes a short further-reading list. Cross-references appear between and within essays. Volume four, which covers the Colonial and Revolutionary periods, also includes a list of relevant films and Web sites. The few illustrations included are informative. Despite the set’s minor shortcomings, each volume is a useful resource, not only for the coverage of sex and love, but also for the portraits it offers of the culture, people, and arts of its time.–Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City

Gr 9 Up–This alphabetically arranged volume provides brief information about authors, individual works, and issues related to the literature of the African continent, and a few themed articles that cover the literature of its diaspora. The articles are concise, if academic, and the coverage reasonably comprehensive. A general list of all entries and one by topic, such as “Generic Categories” (“African-American Literature,” “Prison Literature in South Africa”); historical periods; novelists; poets; and playwrights are helpful. This encyclopedia will make accessible a whole range of literature about which there has previously been limited information. The bulk of the coverage here is biographical, including some fairly obscure names. Many of the articles include further-reading suggestions. One minor drawback can be found in typographical design. The main headings, such as “Anthologies,” are displayed in a smaller typeface than their subheadings (which indicate geographic locations, such as South Africa), whereas subheadings under locations (in this case indicating individuals) are back to the same size as the main entry. Despite the somewhat confusing heading fonts, this will be a welcome contribution to reference collections.–Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

Gr 7 Up–Nearly every conceivable illness that is known to have struck humankind from the 11th-century B.C.E. Philistine plague to SARS is included in this concise and informative encyclopedia. This edition provides new or updated coverage of recent afflictions such as avian influenza. Entries are mostly less than one page long, though some, such as the one on AIDS, are longer. Some of the topics, such as the Black Death, are also covered in the publisher’s FACTS.com database. The black-and-white illustrations include photos of famous doctors, numerous maps of the spread of epidemics, and some graphic photographs and drawings of people affected by the illnesses. One of the best features of this book is the variety of appendixes. “Entries by Disease” lists cause (infectious agent), mode of transmission, symptoms, prevention, and treatment. The “Geographical List of Entries” includes countries arranged alphabetically with epidemics listed chronologically by region. A time line runs from the 11th century B.C.E. to 2007. A comprehensive treatment that’s good for reports or general interest.–Ivy Miller, Kirby Library, Kingston, PA

Gr 7 Up–This reader-friendly encyclopedia provides a comprehensive and informative look at the U.S.’s early history. Though the coverage is standard fare–the 219 articles address such material as the Pilgrims, the Salem witch trials, the Alamo, Daniel Boone, and the Civil War–the arrangement, presentation, and accessibility of the material make the set exemplary. The alphabetical volumes are written in a clear, easy-to-read style. Excellent use is made of sidebars and subheadings, as well as primary-source documents. The illustrations, which include engravings, woodcuts, paintings, newspaper caricatures, and black-and-white and color photographs, work beautifully to advance the text. A thematic table of contents is subdivided into “Culture, Society, and Economy”; “Government, Politics, War, and Foreign Affairs”; “Laws, Treaties, Cases, and Documents”; “People”; and “Places,” with articles color coded according to these topics. Cross-references are provided at the end of each article. The final volume contains a cumulative time line as well as several more access points, including a comprehensive index and set glossary, a map index, a thematic index that corresponds to the table of contents, and resources for further study. The multivolume format and limited temporal scope of this work sets it apart from more comprehensive single-volume works such as John Mack Faragher’s The American Heritage Encyclopedia of American History (Holt, 1998), which covers this period in addition to more recent history.–Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

Gr 5 Up–The entries in this dictionary consist of either short paragraphs or bullet points, the color illustrations come alarmingly close to reinforcing stereotypes, and the volume is written in absolutes. An introductory section describing the migration from Asia of the peoples we now characterize as American Indians never suggests that this history has been intuited from archaeological discoveries and that it is what most experts now believe. The entries are similarly perplexing. For example, there are two for “snake.” One refers to the reptile, and there is no hint as to why it is included here. The other begins as follows: “Nickname given to many tribes for reasons that we can imagine.” Other entries, though brief, make more sense and are more neutral, although some of the accompanying illustrations may raise questions. (Why is a naked female Indian child pictured along with an adult male for the term “Secotan”?) There is nothing in the descriptions of tribes to confirm (or refute) the authenticity of the clothing worn by the Indians in those entries’ illustrations. Not all of the pictures are captioned, so the tribe the figures depict is unclear. Even the excellent drawings of different types of housing (longhouse, tipi, etc.) are linked to groups and not identified by type in the caption or the text. This volume does not add anything positive to the body of knowledge about these peoples, and can be passed over.–Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City

Gr 8 Up–Quirky language such as “Meteorological Armageddon” (referring to hysterical media coverage of some storms) leavens the scientific coverage in this detailed work. The approximately 400 alphabetical articles (80 of them new since the 2000 edition) lean heavily toward descriptions of events. For example, the fact-filled article on Hurricane Katrina covers more than five pages (although most selections are less than one page long). There are also shorter entries on lesser-known storms, listing date, strength, death toll, and other pertinent details, where known. Other entries cover related science, scientists, history, places, the human impact of these tragedies, and various practices surrounding them. Some choices are puzzling. For example, the article on Katrina barely mentions global warming, whereas the “hurricane party” entry uses a quarter of a page to list songs that might be played at such a celebration. There are plentiful black-and-white maps, satellite images, diagrams, and photographs. Access is aided by the listing of storms by name and by place. The useful appendixes include safety procedures, a chronology of events, another listing by storm name (but with less detail than in the main body), a short list of Web sites that track tropical cyclones, and a lengthy bibliography including both scholarly and popular resources.–Henrietta Thornton-Verma, School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up–These alphabetically arranged volumes discuss a variety of subjects, people, and events related to sex and gender, both physical and social. The introduction explains the rationale for the set’s development and its audience and organization. It also acknowledges the controversial nature of many of the topics and describes the attempts that have been made to provide a thoroughly balanced treatment of them. In many cases, topics, especially controversial ones (such as “Abortion, Legal and Political Issues” and “Abortion, Medical Issues”), are divided into separate essays with differing focuses, and, occasionally, different authors. Volume one offers alphabetical and thematic entry lists and an annotated contributor roster. The articles, each followed by cross-references and a bibliography, are frank and clear, and considering some of their themes (“Phone Sex,” “Cruising”), are remarkably free of titillation or bias. A strength of the encyclopedia is that many entries offer rationale for their inclusion. The occasionally interspersed black-and-white photographs, charts, graphs, and drawings expand upon the text. Volume four contains a set index, with boldface type indicating a main entry and italics pointing to illustrations. This is a valuable resource for anyone involved in gender studies, and a useful, matter-of-fact reference for those who are curious about matters related to sex.–Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City

Gr 9 Up–A reworking of Encyclopedia of Africa: South of the Sahara (Scribner’s, 1997), expanded to include northern Africa. Articles range from short biographies of prominent contemporary and historical figures and coverage of countries and other concrete topics, to longer entries such as “Language” or “Archaeology and Prehistory,” frequently subdivided by region or period. The encyclopedia covers history, geography, archaeology, anthropology, and sociology, among other disciplines. Its text extends to 2005, while statistics are as recent as 2006. While some of the articles would be accessible to high school students, others, especially the longer essays, are significantly more difficult, and at times highly technical. The article on Niger-Congo languages, for example, mentions “a voiced obstruent” and lacks the kind of basic information likely to be sought by students. The mostly black-and-white illustrations are often murky, and sometimes have uninformative or even inaccurate captions, are outdated, or fail to enhance the related information. The index is thorough, but the see-also references are occasionally blind or incomplete. While coverage in many of the survey articles is impressive, this encyclopedia contains a number of inaccuracies, misleading statements, and typographical errors. The maps on the endpapers are also problematic, and provide neither sources nor dates for their population figures. Despite these reservations, this encyclopedia is unique in its field; larger libraries may need it where Africa is an area of concentration.–Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City

Gr 9 Up–An impressive number of fascinating case studies accompanies these 300 alphabetically arranged articles that describe and discuss crime-solving procedures and technologies. The entries provide a broad treatment of historical and scientific breakthroughs that have attempted to keep pace with criminal ingenuity, such as fingerprinting techniques, ballistics, biometrics, and DNA analysis. Biographies of noted bone detectives, toxicologists, police detectives, and others share equal treatment with criminals who have subtitled explanations indicating the reason for their inclusion (for instance, if they were convicted or exonerated by DNA evidence). Landmark cases, such as the Sacco-Vanzetti trial and the Charles Lindbergh baby kidnapping (both tagged “miscarriage of justice”) are lengthier. The O.J. Simpson qualifier reads, “acquitted despite DNA evidence,” and the text offers a detailed description of the forensic investigation. Not limited to murders and the like, the volume also addresses cybercrime, fraud, carjacking, theft, chemical and biological weapons, and child pornography, providing definitions, characteristics, examples, and crime-solving techniques. Captioned black-and-white photographs and illustrations are informative but not plentiful. Cross-references are common, and the author takes care to distinguish between terms that are often incorrectly interchanged, such as “forgery,” “fraud,” and “counterfeiting.” A helpful glossary covers scientific and legal terms and acronyms, and there is an appendix of organic and inorganic compounds used in forensic testing. Newton’s conversational tone and writing style are accessible to high school students, who may use the volume for research or to browse the case studies.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 9 Up–This comprehensive overview provides current and historical statistical information on numerous topics concerning federal, state, and local politics. The book presents the expected data on topics such as voter turnout and patterns, public opinion, types and financing of political action committees, and social policy (figures on immigration, Medicare, etc.). Less predictably, it also provides figures related to foreign and military policy including the number of treaties signed by each president, the number of nations involved in major arms control and disarmament agreements, and the U.S. balance of trade from 1946 to 2006. Each chapter’s targeted explanation of how to interpret and read the statistical tables that follow will be extremely helpful to students. A table defining U.S. political regions and a “Guide to References for Political Statistics,” which includes a list of numerous Web sites, are appended.–Madeleine G. Wright, Laconia High School, NH

Gr 10 Up–This well-researched and -written volume looks at the complex lives of the Indians of the Northeast woodlands in the years preceding and just following European contact. The Volos open with an explanation of the difficulties of writing an accurate, objective history when sources are limited to the biased accounts of European settlers and tribal oral histories. They manage to overcome those difficulties, however, creating a richly detailed, well-documented survey that includes descriptions of the environment in which the Indians lived; their family, village, and tribal structures; native spiritual beliefs; and Indian warfare; as well as an examination of the changes brought by contact, trade, and warfare with Europeans. The result is a discussion both nuanced and objective, providing a portrait of peoples who exhibited the virtues and flaws common to all humans. The appendix provides brief overviews of Indian life in other regions within current U.S. borders. The sparse, black-and-white illustrations include medium-quality period illustrations, photos of artifacts, and six appended maps. The book’s attention to detail, strong analysis, and limited focus will reward researchers with a wealth of information. Stuart A. Kallen’s Native Americans of the Northeast (Gale, 2000) has a lower reading level and more illustrations and is a more user-friendly choice for younger students.–Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 7 Up–Broadening the scope of the author’s Immigration: From the Founding of Virginia to the Closing of Ellis Island (Facts On File, 2001), this volume covers the years between 1607 and June 2007. Each chapter is divided into three sections: an 18- to 25-page main body, a “Chronicle of Events” by year, and well-documented “Eyewitness Testimony.” Clear, gray-toned reproductions of photographs, prints, maps, and tables are large enough to view, for example, the details of the many political cartoons. Appended are excerpts from numerous primary-source documents; biographies; maps, graphs, and tables; and a brief glossary, which all support and/or clarify the text. An extensive, updated bibliography includes primary and secondary sources. Boldface in the 19-page index indicates main entries, and letter keys indicate format (m for maps, c for chronology, etc.). Wepman maintains a high quality of research and a clear writing style, and provides detailed source documentation. Unfortunately, there are some omissions. While the book covers historical immigration well, coverage of recent events focuses on related law and illegal immigration (specifically at the U.S.-Mexico border), with a little on Asian immigrants. The book lacks an in-depth discussion of legal immigration from African countries, with only a brief mention of Liberians and IMMACT 90.–Tina Hudak, St. Albans School for Boys, Washington, DC

Gr 6-8–Following on the heels of World and Its Peoples: Middle East, Western Asia, Northern Africa (2007), this companion set covers 22 sovereign countries lying within a triangle defined by India, Mongolia, and Indonesia; plus Taiwan, 2 of Australia’s 7 external territories (Christmas Island and the Cocos [Keeling] Islands), and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. The places are grouped into proximity-based subdivisions, some of which (China and Mongolia and India and Its Neighbors) extend to two volumes. Each one receives a separate article that opens with four pages of overview facts, goes on to fuller examinations of the entity’s government, history, culture, daily life, and economy, then closes with brief profiles of major cities. Volumes end with a select list of current resources and an individual index; volume 11 includes a set of comparative tables and 7 cumulative indexes (1 comprehensive and 6 thematic). Though similar to the Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations (Gale, 2007) in its arrangement by region, this survey offers somewhat fuller detail, along with more maps, color photos on nearly every page, and, as special features, extensive historical and geographical overviews of each subregion. However, the selection of entries sometimes seems arbitrary (why Christmas Island, for instance?), the contents of the final volume are not included in the comprehensive index, and, confusingly, there is no indication on the volumes’ spines that the content is limited to Asia. Considering its narrow focus, this set is only suitable for in-depth or specialized collections.–John Peters, New York Public Library