Reference Review

Gr 9 Up—This set collects more than 400 primary- and secondary-source documents related to Latinos in the United States from 1648 to the present. Materials include letters, proclamations, speeches, treaties, articles, and interviews. The typically one-to-five page entries are organized chronologically and then by general topic, allowing for some overlap. The 1930s, for example, play a part in "Americanization of Latino Immigrants," "Latinos and the Great Depression," and "Mexican Americans and the Great Depression." The wide range of themes, such as borders, immigration, stereotypes, imperialism, and civil rights, offers multiple perspectives on issues that have affected Latinos over time. Each document includes an introductory paragraph summarizing and contextualizing its historical significance, and source notes, including URLs where applicable. In many cases the entries offer diverse perspectives on the same event. General William Walker's 1867 exploits in Nicaragua, for instance, are explored through a newspaper article about the invasion, an excerpt from a speech by Walker defending his actions, a letter to the editor, and an analysis from a scholarly journal. There are no illustrations and the source material and introductions may be dry and challenging for some readers, but students in need of primary sources will find this a useful resource, and the variety of materials and viewpoints will add depth to research projects.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

Gr 6–8—These "nearly seven hundred entries" cover from pre-Colonial times to the present. Large, bold fonts distinguish entry titles ("Banking Crisis of 1933," "The Call of the Wild") in the alphabetically arranged text and in the index. Of concern, though, is the inconsistency with which subjects are or are not included. Bob Dylan is covered in a three-page article, while former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice have neither articles nor index entries. There is an entry on AIDS/HIV but not on influenza or smallpox. A few errors exist: for example, George W. Bush is credited with creating the term "axes [sic] of evil." Illustrations consist of average-quality black-and-white reproductions of photos, maps, and sketches. Despite some unevenness in coverage, the information that is included is generally accurate and suitable for reports.—Jennifer Prince, Fairview Public Library, Fairview, NC

Gr 9 Up— An overview discusses the social, economic, and political challenges of rebuilding the South with emphasis on the lives of everyday people and a brief historiography of Reconstruction. Following that, eight essays explore topics related to Reconstruction, including the meaning of freedom for African Americans, white women's changing roles, African Americans living in Southern cities, northerners in the South, former slaveholders' and planters' places in the new society, and Native American issues. Articles contain in-text citations; black-and-white photographs, political cartoons, and reproductions; sidebars; and combined lists of references and suggestions for further reading. The 16 primary-source documents include first-person reminiscences, newspaper articles, letters, and the transcript of testimony before the Joint Select Committee to Inquire into the Condition of Affairs in the Late Insurrectionary States. It is interesting to note that all but one of the essayists teaches in the United Kingdom. The writing makes this volume best suited for advanced students.—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

Gr 9 Up—This compilation of essays and encyclopedic articles on the people, institutions, ideas, and trends that characterized the Jazz Age (defined as the period between the end of World War I and the 1929 stock market crash) is a useful purchase for collections providing in-depth reference support in the social sciences. Clearly written by a varied group of scholars and professors, it opens with a section of essays setting the overall context of the era, including "Politics"; "Business, Economics, and Labor"; "Family, Community, and Society"; "Consumer and Popular Culture"; and "Foreign Affairs." More than 300 signed articles follow, providing coverage of people ("Dempsey, Jack"), institutions ("League of Nations"), legal matters ("Havana Conference of 1928"), events ("Flu Pandemic [1918]"), ideas ("Social Gospel"), and trends ("Progressivism"), as well as miscellaneous subjects ("Suburbs," "Hoboes"), each with suggestions for further reading. Occasional sidebars provide additional interest. Well-captioned black-and-white photos depict the era. The "Topic Finder" in the front of each volume is ineffective, but there is an extensive index in the second volume. Also, students may find that the facts they seek are likely to be spread throughout both volumes instead of contained in a single, easy-to-locate entry. For instance, a search for information on Rudolph Valentino yields no individual entry, but the index notes 23 separate references. Seekers of quick facts for reports or personal interest may be discouraged.—Joyce Adams Burner, formerly at Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS

Gr 6 Up—The 193 signed articles in this set provide introductory information on a wide range of themes including well-known figures, politics, treaties, technology, Native Americans, places, and popular culture. Their common focus is the enduring impact of the cultures that existed in the western United States and Canada and the Mexican territories from 1787 through 1912. The cross-referenced articles each include a summary paragraph, maps, black-and-white and color photos (there is at least one illustration per page), time lines, and a reference to a primary source or a sample of literature, and to films and television shows. There are a couple of errors: no part of Yellowstone National Park lies within Utah and Sacagawea was not a guide for Lewis and Clark, as stated. Each volume's research guide provides the same list of Web sites and print resources on the West generally, as well as a volume-specific listing of print and audiovisual materials, some of which are scholarly. Volume 11 has a comprehensive time line and index. These are extremely visual books; the use of colors and the layouts are sure to attract readers. The profusion of movie and television references merits special note. Performing arts schools or those with drama departments or classes in film history will find these volumes helpful for studying the American West on film; however for average readers, films made in the 1930s, or even in the 1960s, will seem archaic.—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

Gr 9 Up—The introduction asserts that "[O]rdinary people make history," and the set does a fine job of explaining how their actions, labor, and beliefs collectively shaped the course of 20th-century American life. Each volume covers a single decade and is divided into topical chapters ("Industrialization and Labor Discontent" in 1910s, "The New Gilded Age and the American Social Divide" in 1990s). While the work discusses major events such as wars and elections, its focus is on how segments of the population, including workers, farmers, women, ethnic groups, and immigrants, either influenced or were affected by those events. The authors also examine popular culture and the impact of print and electronic media on leisure pursuits and consumer behavior. Although social history is often written from a progressive point of view, most of the volumes are objective and provide conflicting historical interpretations and perspectives. The exception is the 1990s, which is critical of conservative positions. Average-quality black-and-white photos and illustrations, charts, and graphs supplement the text, and each chapter concludes with brief sketches of influential people who are often omitted from other histories, and an extensive bibliography. A volume, a set, and people and events indexes appear in each book. This compendium provides a fascinating and informative perspective on topics often overlooked in traditional histories, making it an outstanding choice.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High, Rolla, MO

Gr 5–7—Drawing heavily from more advanced monographs, this well-organized volume provides a brief general introduction and three chronological sections: "Colonial America," "The Revolutionary War," and "Biographical Profiles." The first section includes chapters on regions from New England to Georgia, and on various social groups. Discussion is centered on issues concerning daily life and topics such as representative government, Native Americans, and slavery. Part two traces the origins of the conflict, from the French and Indian War to the outbreak of hostilities at Lexington and Concord, terminating at the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The 28 brief, illustrated biographical sketches cover perennial research favorites such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, and Phillis Wheatley. Each entry is followed by a brief list of Web sites for further exploration. The work concludes with a section devoted to a few of the most important symbols of the Revolutionary period such as the Liberty Bell and the American Flag. An appendix contains fundamental documents from the Mayflower Compact to the Constitution as well as a brief time line of the Revolution. Overall, the entries are of high quality and will work well for reports and assignments. The larger-than-average font and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space will be appreciated by students, especially those with visual or learning disabilities. Average-quality black-and-white reproductions are included.—Brian Odom, Pelham Public Library, AL

Gr 9 Up—An impeccable guide to authors of "yesterday, today, and tomorrow." The helpful introduction presents the world of science fiction and includes a time line. Entries, listed alphabetically by the author's most commonly recognized name, start with a quotation and follow with a brief biography and subject headings (indexed at the end of the book) for cross-referencing. "Major Works" and "Other Important Works" are then listed, followed by further reading, including Web sites, blogs, bibliographies, biographies and interviews, fan forums, criticism, readers' guides, and encyclopedias and handbooks. Many of the recommended titles are abbreviated, but are explained in "Some Notes about the Text" in the beginning of the book. Notably, there are read-alike lists for more than 20 popular authors. Lists of major awards, of "Authors by Type," and a general bibliography are also included. This volume will be invaluable to reader's advisory librarians and as a "what to read next" guide for fans of the genre.—Cara Moffett, Freelance Reviewer

Gr 10 Up—Libraries should update their collections with this staple of literary and cultural research. Murphy, who also edited the fourth edition (1996), has again collected entries on a variety of both classic and contemporary works, authors, characters, ideas, and other cultural points of study or interest. The book opens with an entry on Moses's brother Aaron, and closes with a discussion of Ulrich Zwingli, the 16th-century Swiss religious reformer. A focus on people or ideas from (mainly Christian) religious texts and traditions was a mainstay of the title in the past, but here the scope has expanded to include more on other religions, for example, and secular authors such as Turkish Nobel Prize-winner Orhan Pamuk, Austrian Elfride Jelinek, and recent Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Chabon. Although few of the entries are lengthy, they provide detailed information in the most efficient way, and cross-references are plentiful. A must-have.—Carol Fazioli, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA

Gr 9 Up—The depth and breadth of this work are evident from the detailed table of contents. The 600-plus entries include feature essays that cover scientific topics ("The Deep Sea Drilling Project," "Antarctica's Tabletops: Bergs of Note") and scientists (Jacques Cousteau, Fridtjof Nansen). Shorter entries provide extensive definitions of marine organisms, technologies, geographical features, concepts, vessels, experiments, treaties and legal issues, and phenomena. Most entries have cross-references and a further-reading list, and the index is thorough. Seven appendixes include a list of professional associations; "Selected Major Oceans, Seas, Gulfs and Bays Worldwide" (which notes area, average width, and maximum depth); "Classification of Marine Organisms"; "The Geological Timescale" (including first life-forms); and a "Modern Map of the World's Oceans." Unfortunately, the black-and-white photographs and line drawings are small, and some of the photographs are a bit blurry. The expert contributors have packed these pages with top-notch information that will be invaluable to students and reference librarians.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Gr 7 Up—Information on characters, creatures, deities, and cultures combines clarity with depth. Of the 45 cultures represented, half have fewer than five subentries, whereas Greco-Roman has more than one hundred. Object (corn, fire) and idea (heaven, sacrifice) entries cover many cultures. Rich contextual analysis noting themes, symbols, and artistic, literary, and everyday-life connections is characteristic of the articles, each of which is followed by a discussion question that relates the material to present-day life and literature. Features include a time line of world mythology, pronunciation guidance, multiple cross-references, many black-and-white illustrations, and a comprehensive set index and eight pages of color plates in each volume. The few activity ideas include instructions on how to mummify a chicken. Occasional assertions are debatable, e.g., "few organized religions" include an official recognition of reincarnation and monotheistic interpretations of Hinduism and Sikhism, and the nontheist ethos of Buddhism and Jainism are not mentioned. Entries are accurate and, though erudite, accessible; their range far outstrips the coverage in single-volume encyclopedias. Both depth and detail are truly impressive. Clear writing, thoughtful analysis, and broad coverage make this set an extremely attractive purchase.—Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI

Gr 8 Up—Aimed at "students, nonspecialist researchers, and perhaps intelligent tourists," this set profiles more than 400 ethnic groups who live east of the Caspian Sea and west of the North American Pacific coast. Compensating for alternative names with many "see" references, the author has arranged the entries alphabetically. They vary widely in length from single columns for the Afridi (a Pashtun subgroup) and the extinct Tuyuhun of northwestern China to multiple pages devoted to Polynesians and peoples with broadly national identities, such as Japanese or Russian. Each group receives a close examination of its distinctive social and ethnic features, from religious practices and cultural norms to clothing, history, and dwelling types. Longer articles end with short reading lists. The text is accompanied by maps and charts (44 in all), several dozen sidebar biographical sketches, many time lines, and a comparatively skimpy assortment of black-and-white photographs. Seven appendixes include a handy list of entries arranged by country, essays on religious and kinship systems, and a lengthy chronology that ends with the summer of 2008. Despite its specialized topic, unwieldy bibliography, and lack of leads to Web resources, this set merits consideration for its unusual level of detail, particularly about lesser-known peoples. It makes a good alternative to Marshall Cavendish's World and Its Peoples: Eastern and Southern Asia (2007), as it is broader in scope with its inclusion of Oceania, and better arranged for quick access.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up—Scholarly contributors present 367 clearly written essays (101 of which are new) in this revision of the 1994 edition, which spans from early Colonial times to the beginning of the 21st century. Arranged by title, the essays mostly feature a single work. Some of the works are well known, others less so. A few entries, e.g., "The Autobiographical Writings of William Wells Brown," cover several of an author's titles from the same genre. Newly added selections include discussions of a memoir by Maya Angelou, a novel by Octavia E. Butler, poetry by Cornelius Eady, criticism by bell hooks, and young adult literature by Walter Dean Myers. Fiction coverage includes a section on either "The Novel," or "The Stories," as well as "Themes and Meanings" and "The Characters." Nonfiction entries (20 of which are updated) offer sections such as "The Play," along with "Form and Content" and "Analysis." Some entries also include title-specific coverage—for example, the essay on "The Stories of James Alan McPherson" considers "A Fiction of Difference" and "McPherson on Race." All entries include opening ready-reference information (author, type of work, date of first publication), "Critical Context," and an annotated bibliography. Genre, title, and author indexes are included. This classic source offers the breadth of information necessary for curriculum support. Wilfred D. Samuels's Encyclopedia of African American Literature (Facts On File, 2007) is similar but more compact.—Cara Moffett, Freelance Reviewer

Gr 9 Up—Each volume begins with a well-defined overview of its region, organized by color-coded pages into sections covering "Geography and Climate" and "History and Movement of Peoples." The country entries that follow include a time line, flag, and map; key facts on population, government, and transportation; and a closer analysis that varies in length (4 pages on Honduras, for example, 13 on Colombia, 33 concerning Canada, and 2 volumes on the United States). Facts are accompanied by illustrations and realistic color photographs. Text is logically divided with subheadings. Additional sources and an index are found at the end of each book. Volume 11 includes comprehensive and thematic indexes, and tables comparing various indicators. Due to the breadth of the material, The Americas is an ideal reference to use for social studies and history, and it will even benefit students in music, language, art, literature, family consumer science, and health and economics classes. Guidance from librarians and teachers will ensure that students do not overlook, or become overwhelmed by the vastness of, this encyclopedia set covering 57 countries, territories, and islands.—Beth McGuire, Fannett-Metal School District, Willow Hill, PA