Reference Books
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BROSNAN, Kathleen A., ed. Encyclopedia of American Environmental History. 4 vols. 1516p. charts. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. CIP. Facts On File. 2010. Tr $350. ISBN 978-0-8160-6793-0. LC 2010021963. Gr 8 Up–Effectively promoting the view that “the environment and human relations with the environment over time lie “at the center of the American chronicle,” this wide-ranging encyclopedia offers a distinctive angle on our country’s past, present, peoples, and cultures. After a plethora of overview essays on subjects such as “Slavery and the Environment,” “Urban Ecology,” and “Gendered Environmental History,” more than 750 alphabetically arranged entries introduce, describe, and analyze a huge range of figures, groups, incidents, and topics, from “Indians, Paleoindians” to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (covered in several entries) and from “National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)” to the “Green Revolution.” Written by one of about 350 scholars, each entry covers its subject in substantial length and detail and is rounded out with a gratifying array of cross-references and several leads to further information. Supplementary material includes a small set of unusually large and sharply reproduced black-and-white photos and prints, plus tables, maps, an extensive chronology, and the texts of, or excerpts from, about one hundred primary documents. Each volume closes with a set index. Despite a closing cumulative bibliography of print materials that is both indigestibly immense and unaccompanied by an equivalent list of resources in other media, this set earns high marks as a major update and enhancement of Shepard Krech, J. R. McNeill, and Carolyn Merchant’s Encyclopedia of World Environmental History (Routledge, 2003) and merits a place in upper-level collections.–John Peters, formerly at New York Public Library BUCKINGHAM, Will, et al. The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained. 352p. diags. illus. photos. reprods. chron. glossary. index. DK. Jan. 2011. Tr $25. ISBN 978-0-7566-6861-7. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–What is the nature of the world? How should I live? Is language really logical? In this accessible guide to the great thinkers, contributors offer the (thoroughly boiled down) perspectives of 107 philosophers on such questions. An introduction defines the discipline, explains its branches, and argues for its continuing relevance. Half of the book covers pre-Kantian philosophy, including the ideas of Averroes, Confucius, Maimonides, and Rumi (but no Indians after Siddhartha). Ahad Ha’am, Hajime Tanabe, and Tetsuro Watsuji are among the moderns, and of contemporary thinkers, Julia Kristeva, Henry Odera Oruka, Peter Singer and Slavoj Žižek have the last word; a useful directory of minor philosophers follows. Each of six historical periods outlined has a separate introduction and a time line. The sidebars add context and biographical details of the selected philosophers, who earn one to six pages of coverage. Language is generally non-specialized; the neat visual tag accompanying each thinker provides a useful, necessarily simplified, mnemonic. This graphically lively presentation, which also features color reproductions, colorfully framed pull quotes, photos, and a variety of fonts, offers students an overview of the ideas and concepts generated by people who have spent their lives “wondering about the world.”–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George’s School, Newport, RI DICKSTEIN, Morris, ed. James Baldwin. 455p. ISBN 978-1-58765-701-6. LC 2010030192. Gr 10 Up–These titles will make important additions to schools in which an extensive selection of literature classes is offered. Each book opens with a brief biographical section, including an article offering “The Paris Review Perspective,” reprinted from that literary magazine. The section that follows is comprised of a few articles outlining the critical contexts of the writer’s work. For instance, those researching James Baldwin will find “Exiled in Paris: The Beginnings,” a lengthy excerpt from a book of that title by James Campbell. Finally, most of the articles are grouped under “Critical Readings,” and feature a variety of topics on the authors and their oeuvre. Although the essays cover a wide range of themes and subjects, a narrower focus on particular novels or plays is also available; readers looking for perspectives on Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, or John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, won’t be disappointed. A chronology of the artists’ lives and creative output, as well as a complete bibliography of writings on their works, is appended. A solid index completes each book. Purchase of the print volumes includes complementary access to material in Salem’s online database.–Carol Fazioli, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA FAHEY, David M., ed. Milestone Documents of World Religions: Exploring Traditions of Faith Through Primary Sources. 3 vols. 1500p. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. Schlager Group. 2010. PLB $325. ISBN 978-0-9797758-8-8. LC number unavailable. Gr 10 Up–This unique resource presents significant primary-source material from all major and many minor traditions, from 2404 BCE to 2002 CE. Each document is accompanied by an overview; context, date, and author information; explanation and analysis; essential quotations; study questions; comments on the work’s audience and religious and societal impact; further reading suggestions; and a glossary. The thought-provoking questions for further study are particularly strong on comparisons–one following “Jain Sutras,” for example, asks, “How do Jains, Jews, and Christians deal with suffering in the earthly sphere?” Context and explanation/analysis essays are typically extensive, and the 94 document excerpts, representing traditions such as magic, atheism, and Falun Gong, are substantial. Most texts have no translator credit; e.g., excerpts from James Legge’s 1893 Analects of Confucius and Stephen Addis’s and Stanley Lombardo’s Tao Te Ching (Hackett, 1993) are equally anonymous and undated. The numerous well-chosen and -captioned grayscale pictures add interest. Scholarly but jargon-free commentary makes these key documents accessible to students. Full-text online access is free with purchase.–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George’s School, Newport, RI JOHNSON, Scott P. Trials of the Century: An Encyclopedia of Popular Culture and the Law. 2 vols. 801p. bibliog. chron. glossary. index. CIP. ABC-CLIO. Oct. 2010. PLB $180. ISBN 978-1-59884-261-6; ebook $180. ISBN 978-1-59884-262-3. LC 2010015948. Gr 7 Up–These well-organized, chronologically arranged volumes explore high-profile trials and their impact on American popular culture. Coverage ranges from the trial of Puritan dissenter Anne Hutchinson (1637-38) to the most recent 2008 trial and conviction of O.J. Simpson. In addition to surveying the more significant events, such as those related to the Amistad (1835-41), the abolitionist John Brown (1859), and President Clinton’s impeachment (1999), Johnson also includes many lesser-known cases, among them Susan B. Anthony’s arrest and trial for voting in a presidential election (1872) and the My Lai courts martial (1970). Entries include historical context, biographical information, and a discussion of the effect of each decision on the American legal system. Although the writing is fluid and engaging, and will add significantly to students’ understanding of the topics covered, the set joins a crowded field. Collections already in possession of Frankie Y. Bailey and Steven Chermak’s Crimes and Trials of the Century (Greenwood, 2007) should pass on this resource. However, for those attempting to fill gaps, it is a superior addition.–Brian Odom, Pelham Public Library, AL JOSHI, S.T., ed. Encyclopedia of the Vampire: The Living Dead in Myth, Legend, and Popular Culture. 453p. bibliog. index. Web sites. CIP. Greenwood. 2010. Tr $85. ISBN 978-0-313-37833-1; ebook $85. ISBN 978-0-313-37834-8. LC 2010025316. Gr 9 Up– In 200-plus clear, essay-style A-to-Z articles, this volume covers the living dead from prehistory to the present. Numerous entries offer cross-references and/or annotated bibliographies. The articles discuss authors (Elaine Bergstrom, Edgar Allan Poe), literary works (Carrion Comfort, “Twilight”), topics (“Manga and Anime Vampire Series,” “Fan Organizations”), and film and television (The Lost Boys, “The Vampire Diaries”). Supplementary material includes an “Alphabetical List of Entries,” “Guide to Related Topics,” and a “General Bibliography.” There are no images, but readablilty is enhanced by generous margins and a clear typeface. Although this work is comprehensive in scope, consider also Melton’s illustrated The Vampire Book: Encyclopedia of the Undead (Visible Ink, 2010). It’s similar in coverage, but offers easier access points for researchers and recreational readers.–Cara Moffett, formerly at South College of Asheville, NC. LEWIS, Thomas Tandy, ed. The Forties in America. 3 vols. 1282p. charts. diags. maps. photos. reprods. appendix. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Salem. 2010. PLB $364. ISBN 978-1-58765-659-0. LC 2010028115. Gr 10 Up–One goal of this set is to portray the decade’s many unique contributions to our history and our way of life. The scope is quite broad, but the text is comprehensive, covering people, events, and developments in the United States and Canada. As one might expect, a great deal of the material is devoted to some aspect of World War II and its impact on society. However, other topics are not slighted. The two-column, alphabetically arranged entries vary in length from approximately one to six pages. Each one begins with a description of the figure, event, performance, book, lawsuit, organization, etc., covered, followed by a brief synopsis and an in-depth discussion of the topic. Some entries close with an “impact” statement; all entries are signed and conclude with annotated further-reading suggestions (usually at least three items), and a list of see-also references. Occasional black-and-white photos, maps, charts, and boxed features add to the text. Each volume contains its own table of contents. Volume three concludes with more than 100 pages of detailed appendixes, which consist of various listings, such as “Entertainment: Major Radio Programs” (one of four entertainment categories), legislative actions, and Supreme Court decisions; a bibliography and glossary; a list of entries by category; and photo, personage, and subject indexes. Free online access to the same information comes with purchase of the print set. Libraries should give The Forties serious consideration.–Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Libra ry, KS MARLEY, David F. Modern Piracy: A Reference Handbook. 290p. (Contemporary World Issues Series). charts. bibliog. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. ABC-CLIO. 2010. PLB $55. ISBN 978-1-59884-433-7; ebook $55. ISBN 978-1-59884-434-4. LC 2010027190. Gr 9 Up–This well-organized mix of historical background; case studies; and viewpoints, opinions, and analyses explores the complexities of an intriguing contemporary issue. Marley provides solid context on how history, politics, economics, and social issues have impacted incidents of piracy in the past two decades. The thorough text calls attention to the wide range of contributing factors, including shipping methods, firearm technology, fishing patterns, insurance premiums, and local and international laws. The challenges of combating the problem are balanced by occasional success stories and potential strategies. The level of detail can be daunting, as in a 33-step summary from a manual on deterrence. Major ideas are typically introduced in general outline form, followed by more detailed sections on each item, which will help students keep track of the often-complicated events. Quotations from people at all levels of the piracy issue, as well as the opinions of analysts, provide a well-rounded picture, with coverage extending into 2010. The language is clear, but the fairly sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structure, along with the lack of illustrations and maps, make this a challenge for less-accomplished students. An extensive time line includes paragraph-length accounts of dozens of recent incidents of piracy. Additional chapters provide biographical sketches, data and documents, organizations, and resources.–Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR MAZZENO, Laurence W., ed. Masterplots. 4th ed. 12 Vol. 6847p. chron. further reading. index. CIP. Salem. 2010. PLB $1200. ISBN 978-1-58765-568-5. LC 2010033931. Gr 9 Up–Retaining the place of the series as the premier high school “lit-crit“ reference work, this set presents and evaluates 2500 years of the world’s most significant literature. Long and short fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama are analyzed in 2200 essays, more than 400 of which have been added since the 1996 edition. Also new to this edition is a set table of contents in each volume. Pieces examining cultural issues (Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Elie Wiesel’s Night) and portrayals of modern life (Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes, Jonathan Safran Foer’s Everything Is Illuminated) are well-represented. The alphabetically arranged entries open with a listing of the type of work, its author, the date of the first publication, and, when appropriate, a list of characters; if the piece discusses fiction, the heading also includes information on the type, time, and locale of the plot. Each article provides a “synopsis review” or “essay review,” critical evaluation, and further reading recommendations that will encourage and direct deeper inquiry. Several useful indexes are on hand: chronological; geographical (author’s provenance); title; author; and, perhaps most valuable from an educator’s perspective, a themes and issues index. Purchase of the print collection includes access to the online version to an unlimited number of users. Absolutely worth the price of admission.–Christina Connolly, Clark University, Worcester, MA MELTON, J. Gordon. The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead. 3rd ed. 909p. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. index. CIP. Visible Ink. 2010. pap. $29.95. ISBN 978-1-57859-281-4. LC 2010024263. Gr 9 Up-With updated coverage detailing the emergence of the “Buffy” and “Twilight” phenomena of the past decade, this wide-ranging resource includes entries relating to lore from around the globe. The book features more than 500 clear and succinct alphabetical articles written for fans of classic and popular literature and for researchers. Entries include traditional figures (“Dracula”); general concepts (“Fangs”); popular titles (Dead Until Dark); authors and characters (Anne Rice, Lestat de Lioncourt); television shows and movies (Dark Shadows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer); vampires from different countries (Mexico, France, Greece, etc.); and specific topics (“Women as Vampires”), to name a mere few. Sections such as “Vampires: A Chronology” and the author’s response to the question “What Is a Vampire?” add interesting detail. Source material and cross-references are found throughout the volume. Ghostly (gray) images of coffins, spiders, gravestones, and other items associated with the bloodthirsty creatures are found in the margins, while 200-plus murky black-and-white photos and movie stills illustrate the entries. The font size, while readable, is somewhat small. Although S.T. Joshi’s Encyclopedia of the Vampire (Greenwood, 2010) offers similar information, Melton’s handy volume provides the most comprehensive coverage currently available for general collections. But note: readers should be on spoiler alert when perusing book and film entries.–Cara Moffett, formerly at South College of Asheville, NC OXFORD ATLAS OF THE WORLD. 17th ed. 448p. charts. diags. maps. photos. glossary. index. Oxford Univ. 2010. Tr $80. ISBN 978-0-19-975128-0. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–Everything about this reference work is top-notch, from the full-color satellite images to the comprehensive indexing. Sweeping aerial photographs covering whole spreads introduce chapters of stunning maps, including those updated to reflect areas of growing populations. Physical maps predominate, but a number of political representations of regions and major cities are included. Maps are detailed with sectional enlargements provided when necessary. This atlas is much more than merely a collection of clear, easy-to-read maps. It includes a gazetteer of nations and overviews of significant topics such as food production, oceans, climate, biodiversity, population, conflicts, standards of living, and more. Librarians looking to update a general reference atlas collection won’t go wrong with this useful and attractive volume.– Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA SMITH, Jessie Carney, ed. Encyclopedia of African American Popular Culture. 4 Vols. 1733p. photos. appendix. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. Web sites. CIP. Greenwood. 2010. PLB $380. ISBN 978-0-313-35796-1; ebook $380. ISBN 978-0-313-35797-8. LC 2010039279. Gr 6-9–The more than 600 articles in this ambitious encyclopedia cover African-American figures in, and contributions to, our country’s music, fine arts, sports, science, literature, fashion, food, mass media, and cultural iconography. The alphabetically arranged articles range from “Cotillions and Botillions” and “Fish Fry” to such massive topics as “Africa and the African Diaspora” and even “African Americans in the U.S., 1619-2010.” Each entry ends with a reading list of, usually, adult titles. A plethora of cross references joins lists of article titles by topic at the beginning of each volume and a massive set index in volume four to facilitate both quick reference and extended research. The final volume includes valuable lists of African-American films, TV and radio shows, and specialized popular culture collections–along with an immense book-list amusingly characterized as a “comprehensive selected bibliography.” Though the depth of coverage is perforce uneven, survey articles on such topics as major civil-rights cases or African-American towns make convenient overviews, and students would have to look long and hard to find comparably detailed accounts of closely focused subjects such as African-American comedians or midwifery, the Million Woman March, or African Americans in New Orleans–not to mention Snoop Dogg, Cornel West, Aunt Jemima (who gets almost three dense pages of history and analysis), bling, funerals, cookbooks and megachurches. The murky and thinly scattered black-and-white illustrations are a weak link, but otherwise it’s hard to imagine a collection that wouldn’t be strengthened by this significant resource.–John Peters, formerly at New York Public Library STAMPER, Anita & Jill Condra. Clothing Through American History: The Civil War Through the Gilded Age, 1861-1899. 409p. charts. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Greenwood. 2010. Tr $85. ISBN 978-0-313-33551-8; ebook $85. ISBN 978-0-313-08458-4. LC 2010030736. Gr 9 Up–In this meticulously researched companion to Ann Buermann Wass and Michelle Webb Fandrich’s Clothing Through American History: The Federal Era Through Antebellum, 1786-1860 (Greenwood, 2010), Stamper and Condra provide exhaustive coverage of late-19th-century American fashion by analyzing how trends were influenced by age, gender, ethnicity, etc. While the writing is clear and straightforward, the massive detail concerning a relatively narrow time span makes this book largely impractical for all but the most serious students. Not only are the fashions evaluated, but so too are tangential topics such as birth control and sanitary products. Another of these, laundering, is described fastidiously: “If staining from spilled or splashed materials was the problem, the remedies depended to a large extent on the staining agent as well as the textile fiber.” Several paragraphs ensue describing various stain dilemmas and remedies: oily vs. liquid stains, rubbing vs. blotting, and so on. The plethora of subject-specific terms (busks, chemisettes, foulard) are in bold font and defined within the context of the writing. They also appear in the glossary, which lacks a pronunciation guide but includes additional terms not found in the narrative. Although fashion history is a subject for which visual aids are useful, if not essential, the illustrations in this title are remarkably lackluster, with one small black-and-white photograph or drawing appearing every three to six pages. The eight-page full-color inset includes only 14 illustrations. For a more engaging, youth-friendly study, consider the eight-volume “Costume & Fashion Source Books” (Chelsea House).–Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Library, NC WALLENFELDT, Jeff, ed. Africa to America: From the Middle Passage Through the 1930s. 268p. reprods. chron. ISBN 978-1-61530-126-3; ISBN 978-1-61530-175-1. LC 2009054299. Gr 6-8–Though billed as “new” on the publisher’s website, much, possibly all, of the material in these volumes is recycled from titles issued by this and other publishers within the past decade. Africa to America opens with a historical overview, then surveys African cultural roots, modern racism, African-American slavery, religion, educational institutions, and the arts through the Harlem Renaissance. Some chapters include sections of primary sources. About 300 figures are profiled in Biographies; they are gathered and sometimes forced into categories–“Emmett Till,” for instance, is placed in the “Activists” section, and “Crispus Attucks” in “Government Officials, Diplomats, and Soldiers.” The choice of entries is conservative; none of the athletes under “Baseball” is still active, and the youngest of the 80-plus singers and musicians is Kanye West (born 1977). Experience continues the historical threads begun in Africa to America, devoting one chapter to the Civil Rights Movement, four to literature and music, and one to sports, and then closing with a section of primary sources. Both of the historical surveys include time lines (the one in Experience ends with Michael Jackson’s death in mid-2009, however) and all three feature perfunctory bibliographical essays and scattered, muddy black-and-white photos. The information is accurate enough, but combined with the easy availability of resources that cover similar territory in comparable detail (and often in identical words), the lack of source citations, currency, and even author credits limits the value of these volumes for research.–John Peters, formerly at New York Public Library YOUNG, William H. & Nancy K. Young. World War II and the Postwar Years in America: A Historical and Cultural Encyclopedia. 2 vols. 865p. charts. photos. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. discography. Web sites. CIP. ABC-CLIO. 2010. PLB $180. ISBN 978-0-313-35652-0; ebook $180. ISBN 978-0-313-35653-7. LC 2010021470. Gr 9 Up–Essays–179 in all–focus on the cultural trends in literature, movies, education, food, and sports that were indicative of the new prosperity experienced in this country between 1940 and 1950. Many government- and war-related entries are also included on such topics as civil defense, aviation, the GI Bill, propaganda, selective service, and scrap drives. Pop icons (Frank Sinatra, Rosie the Riveter) are considered as carefully as major military and political figures of the era (General MacArthur, Eleanor Roosevelt), and information about prominent subjects may appear in multiple articles. The cross-referenced entries vary in length: “Fads” are examined in an eight-page entry compared to three pages devoted to “Grocery Stores.” A topic guide in each volume neatly lists entries under their umbrella term, so students will see “Race Relations,” “Labor Unrest,” and “Juvenile Delinquency” under the heading, “Social Issues,” for example. The entries are fact-filled, informative, and readable. Tables and/or charts accompany a number of articles. With few black-and-white photos and other reproductions, this resource can be characterized as having more substance than glitz. Selected references, some including websites, follow each essay, and there is a multipage narrative time line, a lengthy bibliography, and a comprehensive general index at the end of the second volume. An accessible and substantial guide to this oft-studied period.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY
GOODHEART, Eugene, ed. Charles Dickens. 290p. ISBN 978-1-58765-691-0. LC 2010030136.
HOPPENSTAND, Gary, ed. Stephen King. 344p. ISBN 978-1-58765-685-9. LC 2010030135.
MURPHY, Brenda, ed. Arthur Miller. 380p. ISBN 978-1-58765-697-2. LC 2010029183.
–––– . Tennessee Williams. 382p. ISBN 978-1-58765-687-3. LC 2010029142.
NOBLE, Don, ed. F. Scott Fitzgerald. 349p. ISBN 978-1-58765-693-4. LC 2010029151.
–––– . John Steinbeck. 414p. ISBN 978-1-58765-703-0. LC 2010030193.
RASMUSSEN, R. Kent, ed. Mark Twain. 337p. ISBN 978-1-58765-689-7. LC 2010029143.
RODDEN, John, ed. Isabel Allende. 366p. ISBN 978-1-58765-699-6. LC 2010030137.
ea vol: (Critical Insights Series). bibliog. chron. index. notes. CIP. Salem. 2010. PLB $85.
–––– . Black American Biographies: The Journey of Achievement. 402p. ISBN 978-1-61530-137-9; ISBN 978-1-61530-176-8. LC 2010010373.
–––– . The Black Experience in America: From Civil Rights to the Present. 230p. reprods. appendix. chron. ISBN 978-1-61530-146-1; ISBN 978-1-61530-177-5. LC 2010014639.
ea vol: (African American History and Culture Series). photos. bibliog. glossary. index. CIP. Britannica Educational. 2010. PLB $45; ebook $45.
