Reference Review

Gr 10 Up—More than 300 experts in diverse fields cover key aspects of the country's past and present in 800 concise articles. Abundant photos, vignette drawings, proverbs, headings and parts of entries in pinyin and Chinese characters, and attractive layout more than compensate for matte (partly recycled) paper, occasionally inadequate maps, and missing color (available only in the online subscription version, which is free for a year with the purchase of the set). The editors have not skirted sensitive areas, including such topics as intellectual property, human rights, Tibet, treatment of homosexuals, and Internet filtering. Material on trade, industry, politics, and the like is almost as plentiful as that on history, geography, and culture. The material is generally readable and assumes little foreknowledge. Unfortunately, the list of articles that opens each book does not indicate volume numbers, and there are no in-text cross-references. There are a few caption errors (Suzhou is misidentified as Shanghai, for example) and minor indexing flaws. Overall, though, the achievement of this ambitious work is admirable, and the promise of online updating is heartening.—Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI

Gr 9 Up—In an attempt to look at literature as a whole, and to cover all cultures over all time, Burt takes on the formidable task of choosing the world's literary greats. The self-admittedly mistitled volume actually ranks 125 writers, deviating from the previous edition (2001) in its addition of 25 figures and some renumbering. William Shakespeare retains his number one position for his level of language, believable characters, and reflection of the human condition. Universal impact and understanding also keep Leo Tolstoy, Homer, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Charles Dickens among the top ten. Additions include Chinua Achebe, Seamus Heaney, Li Po, Toni Morrison, Chikamatsu Monzaemon, Luigi Pirandello, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Sappho. Approximately three pages in length, each essay looks at the big picture of a writer's influence and the unique qualities of the author's creations. For example, Burt discusses Walt Whitman's inclusion of common life and sexuality as subjects in his poems. Entries are prefaced by a small black-and-white portrait captioned with a quote about the author, and occasionally feature lines of verse, excerpts from letters, or author commentary. A select bibliography follows a listing of an additional 100 "Honorable Mentions," identified only by their country of origin, genre, and major works. The volume includes an author/title index but no listing of authors by nationality, a feature sometimes needed by students. Sure to spark lively classroom debates about why one writer outranks another.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 4–8—This set crisscrosses latitudes and longitudes to collect the histories of more than a dozen early civilizations such as the Africans of the Songhai empire, ancient Romans, Australian Aborigines, Chinese of the Shang dynasty, various Indian tribes, the Maya, and Polynesians. The books demonstrate an attractive unity in style and content. Topics are covered in two to three pages each, with a few paragraphs on each page. They address a plethora of issues: religion, work, social strata, clothing, courtship, shelter, pastimes, and so on. Also, each volume discusses factors, both internal and external, that led to the decline of these civilizations, as well as their legacies and modern-day cultural revivals. Unfortunately, sources are not cited. Amid the text and the color sidebars are scores of black-and-white and color photographs, reproductions, and drawings of people, places, and artifacts, accompanied by descriptive, narrative-enhancing captions. Colors are vivid and contrasts are sharp, imparting each detail with lifelike clarity. While "Early Peoples" covers the same time period as "Peoples of the Ancient World" (Crabtree), it includes, with a couple of exceptions, different societies.—Jennifer Prince, Fairview Public Library, NC

Gr 6 Up—In a clear, engaging style, the authors describe how gender, occasion, class, and social clime affected fashion during commonly studied Western decades and eras. Fashion-forward individuals (Elizabeth I, Princess Diana, and Madonna, to name a few) from various ages are mentioned and their influence on style is described. Each volume is profusely and gorgeously illustrated with period paintings and photographs, movie and TV stills, design sketches, and photographs from period reenactments. Each illustration is captioned with intriguing, relevant facts that enhance the text. Sidebars incorporate descriptive passages from period letters, diaries, books, and magazines, or highlight etiquette, trends, and inventions in fashion. One sidebar details how the manufacturing of some Civil War uniforms introduced the word "shoddy" into the American vocabulary. Another explains how good clothing was so precious in Elizabethan England that it was bequested in wills. Given that there are such a wide variety of illustrations, the overall effect is remarkably cohesive. The use of celebrities will draw in many readers, and the authors' emphasis on fashion's integral part in history will assist researchers. This series meets the need for quality material about fashion history with competence and appeal.—Jennifer Prince, Fairview Public Library, NC

Gr 10 Up—This useful set examines 120 influential Americans in relation to their writings and speeches. A helpful glossary and time line and an undated black-and-white portrait are included in every entry. Each article presents a brief overview and the legacy of the individual; an explanation and analysis of, and essential quotes from, the documents; and additional recommended resources. Short letters, diary entries, and speeches are reproduced in their entirety, while longer documents, such as legal opinions, include only the most salient ideas. Between three and nine primary-source documents are included for each individual. The documents are as personal and poignant as Ronald Reagan's letter disclosing his diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and as public and political as an inaugural address. Documents range from Benjamin Franklin's writings in 1743 to Condoleezza Rice's keynote address at the World Economic Forum in 2008. Controversies surrounding the works of these famous Americans are recognized in an unbiased manner. "Questions for Further Study" that follow each entry will generate discussion in history classes and provide a good starting point for history fair projects. The format is similar to Milestone Documents in American History (Schlager Group, 2008) and while there is some overlap between the sets, it is not enough to preclude purchase of this informative work. Purchase includes free access to the ebook version until January 2012. Web setup is a snap, and one site seamlessly links patrons to all the digitized Salem History products in your library.—Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA

Gr 6–10—Extensively revised and with nearly fifty percent more entries (Salem, 1998), these 180 articles offer comprehensive views of the solar system's bodies, dynamics, and phenomena, as well as a thorough account of how they are studied via astronomical observation and space exploration. Each entry opens with a quick summary of the topic and closes with an annotated reading list and an array of cross-references. Most pieces also feature one or more charts, tables, and sharp black-and-white photos or artists' renditions. Subjects range from discussions of "Nemesis and Planet X" (theorized bodies whose long orbits tie into Earth's periodic mass extinctions) to "Earth's Crust" and, further afield, "Pulsars" and "Extrasolar Planets." Articles are generally three pages in length but can be as long as nine. The cross-references, lengthy subject index, continuous pagination throughout the volumes, and a thematic table of contents, in addition to one by volume, make access particularly easy. Though color illustrations give Lucy-Ann McFadden's Encyclopedia of the Solar System (Elsevier, 2006) a visual boost, serious students of our planetary neighborhood will appreciate the more current content of this alternative.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up—Rather than addressing oft-analyzed authors and works deemed "literary," this title surveys bestselling authors published primarily over the past 30 years, from Paulo Coehlo to Ann Brashares. Alphabetically arranged entries address both the writers and their representative works. Entries dedicated to authors include a brief biographical sketch, which contextualizes their works. Entries on specific titles typically consist of plot summaries followed by brief analysis and often information about movie tie-ins. Cross-references indicated by small capital letters make navigation a breeze. While conceptually this volume is spot on, in actuality it may prove a tough sell. As the subjects included are contemporary by nature and entries brief, an online search or a visit to the author's Web site often renders much of the same, if not more up-to-date, information. The writing, though clear, sometimes veers into scholarly language and will prove difficult for more reluctant researchers. Conversely, those student researchers eager for critical analysis of bestselling authors will be better served by subscription databases such as Gale's Literature Resource Center. Still, for those libraries without the budget for more in-depth reference sets or databases, this single volume could be worthwhile.—Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT

Gr 4–6—Complementing a similarly organized, multimedia online resource, these stand-alone print volumes discuss a limited number of technological milestones. Topics include the development of the plow and hybrid crops in Agriculture and arches and solar heating in Architecture. The books feature spacious margins, a generous assortment of sharp color photos, maps, diagrams, reproductions, and other illustrations. The chapter spreads are divided into easily digested blocks of text, but the level of detail is superficial at best. In Astronomy, for instance, Aristotle misleadingly precedes other scientists in theorizing that the Earth isn't flat, and Warfare doesn't describe nuclear power beyond its use as a weapon. However appealing younger or less-able readers might find these volumes, their value over older sets such as Linda Schmittroth's Eureka! (Gale, 1995) or Jessica Snyder Sachs's The Encyclopedia of Inventions (Watts, 2001) is limited.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 6 Up—Composers, instrumental and vocal performers, and teachers who "made an enduring impact" on the field during the last century are covered in this solid set. The 614 alphabetically arranged entries list their principal works and associations, provide brief biographical summaries, and focus on the subjects' works and legacies, in 1500–2500 words each. While world music is included, the emphasis is on American and European music, with 428 of the biographees coming from the United States. Genres covered range from classical to New Age, folk to opera, country to musical theater, and rock to avant garde. Clearly written essays, illustrated with black-and-white photographs, put the musicians in historical context, with an end result that is enjoyable for browsing and useful for reference. Suggestions for further reading and related entries close each article. Volume 5 incorporates an extensive general bibliography arranged by genre, a thorough glossary, a chronological list of musicians arranged by decade, and a list of pertinent Web sites, as well as indexes by subject; geographical region; and names of musicians, groups, and works.—Joyce Adams Burner, National Archives at Kansas City, MO

Gr 9 Up—These 100 succinct yet detailed guides for planning research on African-American history cover topics from the early slave trade to North America in 1581 to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Each approximately four-page section opens with a summary of the time period, followed by lists of term-paper suggestions, alternate topics, and annotated citations to primary and secondary materials. Sources include scholarly print works, authoritative Web sites, and quality movies, supporting a variety of learning styles. Neumann assumes familiarity with the basics of African-American history; paper suggestions include critical analyses of events rather than a strict recounting of them. For example, in the section discussing Plessy v. Ferguson, students are asked to "present an argument for the significance of the man and his legal case." While supporting researchers with reliable information, the book clearly puts the direction and depth of research in users' hands. An accessible, solid resource for students and teachers.—Tina Hudak, St. Albans School for Boys, Washington, DC

K-Gr 6—Boasting over 4000 entries and 2500 brightly detailed illustrations and photographs, this resource is a must-have for any collection serving children. A two-page introduction explains how data is organized—entries are divided into 10 broad categories, among them "Space," "Culture," "History and Politics," and "The Human Body." The amount of information presented for each topic is just right, and a cross-reference icon ensures positive results for novice researchers. The book is a particularly good fit for ESL students and visual learners, as time lines, definitions, fast facts ("Flattened out, a pair of lungs would cover a tennis court"), maps, collections (e.g., a complete catalog of national flags), and short blocks of text fill every page to its fullest. This is a print reference work to rival the graphics-laden resources available electronically. It won't sit on the shelf.—Christina Connolly, Clark University, Worcester, MA

Gr 5–8—This book is divided into two sections. The first part presents maps, photos, illustrations, graphs, text, and recent statistics to help students learn about Earth and how humans have used and affected its resources. It provides a basic introduction to geography, and a variety of images to show how maps are made and how to read them. One chapter discusses the physical systems of the Earth, such as geological history, climate zones, vegetation, water availability, and environmentally vulnerable areas, and another on human systems examines world populations, cities, languages, religions, economies, food production, energy, and cultures. The second section, with one chapter for each continent, offers more traditional atlas coverage. Large maps depict physical and political features, climate, population distribution, and economic activity, and special "Focus On" features examine some aspect of the continent. Back matter includes basic statistics and an illustration of the flag for each nation and thematic and place-name indexes. The first section of the book, which provides easily understood information about geography and maps, is stronger than the second, which contains only general information about each continent and does not include highly detailed maps, but that basic introduction will nevertheless be valuable to many students.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 10 Up—An impressive and exhaustive work. Updates since the highly acclaimed 2000 edition include information on the first Native American in space and the Canadian Parliament's endorsement of the UN "Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples," and more color maps and photographs. The volume is divided into several broad subject areas, such as "Ancient Native Peoples," "Native Lifeways," "Indian Wars," "Native Land Cessions and a Changing Way of Life," and "Contemporary Native North Americans." The subject divisions follow a chronological pattern and explore Native history across the continent, in no way marginalizing Central America or Canada. The exemplary informational content is complemented by numerous maps and photographs, in both color and black and white. Numerous access points include an extensive map list and a series of appendixes, such as the "Chronology of Native Prehistory and History," "Native Nations in the United States (with Languages and Locations)," "Contemporary Canadian First Nations," and "Major Native Place-Names in the United States and Canada." The bibliography is extensive. This work stands out due to its scope and the attention given to the Canadian Native experience. The use of the word "Indian" in the title may be problematic, especially for Canadian librarians, but Waldman's preface outlines the variety of terms used for North America's first peoples and explains that they are all used throughout the book, where applicable. This visually appealing resource will be an excellent addition, even if libraries own the previous edition.—Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

Gr 9 Up—More than 1000 entries, authored by experts and scholars from around the world, offer a diverse perspective on our global economy. Coverage includes financial terms and concepts; countries; well-known companies; and legal, environmental, and social issues. The alphabetical arrangement allows readers to find side-by-side articles on "Fair Trade," "Family Leave," "Feng Shui," and "Fiat," each with its own bibliography and cross-references. Perspectives on economic systems such as communism, socialism, and capitalism contain subsections on Maoism, Marxism, cooperatives, and mercantilism, and feature examples and debate about their successes and failures. While there are no specific entries for individuals, the index references many notables such as John Maynard Keynes, Milton Friedman, Geert Hofstede, and Joseph Stiglitz. The set's value to sociology and global history curriculums should not be underestimated, as many of the topics address the interrelationship of economies and their peoples. Current topics include sea piracy, terrorism, fair trade, ethnocentrism, and intellectual property rights. While the approach is scholarly, high school students will have no problem navigating the clear and well-outlined text. Captioned black-and-white photos and company logos appear throughout, but add little. The last volume contains a 40-page glossary and a lengthy appendix of the World Trade Organization's tables and charts on imports and exports. The general index is found in this final volume only; there is a set list of entries in the front of each volume.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY