452 College & Research Libraries September 2000

Selected Reference Books of 1999/2000

Eileen McIlvaine

This article follows the pattern set by the semiannual series initiated by the late Constance M. Winchell more than fifty years ago and continued by Eugene Sheehy. Because the purpose of the list is to present a se­ lection of recent scholarly and general reference works, it does not pre­ tend to be either well balanced or comprehensive. A brief roundup of new editions of standard works is provided at the end of the articles. Code numbers (such as BC567) have been used to refer to titles in the Guide to Reference Books, 11th ed. (Chicago: ALA, 1996).

Philosophy made contributions to the history of ideas Dictionary of Eighteenth-Century Brit­ or who “represented a non-specialist ish Philosophers. Ed. John W. Yolton, reader’s notions about the way human John Valdimir Price, and John beings perceived and responded to the Stephens. Bristol, Eng.: Thoemmes Pr., sensible (or immaterial) world.” 1999. 2v. (xxiii, 1,013p). £550 (ISBN 1­ The dictionary aims to give readers “a 85506-123-6). glimpse of an author’s life, ideas and con­ The Dictionary of Eighteenth-Century Brit­ tribution to the history of thought and ish Philosophers grew out of the need to philosophy.” Some one hundred scholars give some sort of recognition to many have participated in the making of the dic­ authors who contributed to philosophi­ tionary. Primary research was conducted cal thought in the eighteenth century but on many now-obscure writers, reading, have been hitherto ignored, having been analyzing, and summarizing original texts. overshadowed by the “very great intel­ The dictionary consists of some six hun­ lectual richness of the century” (Introd.) dred entries on philosophers and anony­ represented by Locke, Hume, and Smith. mous philosophical works. A typical en­ Chronologically, the dictionary covers try includes a brief biography, a discussion from John Locke (1632–1704) to Dugald of the subject’s philosophical works, and Stewart (1753–1828); geographically, it a bibliography of philosophical writings encompasses the British Isles and pre­ by the subject, other works by the subject, 1776 colonial North America. Subjectwise, and published secondary sources. A name the dictionary focuses on authors who index concludes the work.

Eileen McIlvaine is Head of Reference in Butler Library at Columbia University; e-mail: [email protected]. Although it appears under a byline, this list is a project of the reference depart­ ments of Columbia University Libraries and notes are signed with the initials of one of the following staff members: Barbara Sykes-Austin, Avery Library; Mary Cargill, Anice Mills, Robert H. Scott, Junko Stuveras, Sarah Spurgin Witte, Butler Library; Olha della Cava, Lehman Library; Elizabeth Davis, Mu­ sic Library; Alysse Jordan, Social Work Library.

452 Selected Reference Books of 1999/2000 453

Suitable for research collections in the This is an excellent work that any ref­ fields of philosophy and the humanities, erence collection dealing with religion in in general.—J.S. America will want to acquire. And al­ though works of this kind, with a “con­ Religion temporary” focus, are fated to grow dated Contemporary American Religion. Ed. before the passage of too many years, it Wade Clark Roof. New York: seems likely that its solid, comprehensive MacMillan Reference, 2000. 2v. $225.00 coverage will ensure its continued value (ISBN 0-028649-28-1). as a record of the diversity and complex­ This collection of more than five hundred ity of the religious scene in America at the articles draws on the talents of well over end of the twentieth century.—R.H.S. two hundred established scholars to pro­ duce an impressive overview of popular Literature religious belief and practice from 1965 to Oxford Companion to Crime and Mys­ the present. As its editor emphasizes, the tery Writing. Ed. Rosemary Herbert. object of treatment here is “popular reli­ New York: Oxford Univ. Pr., 1999. xxiii, gious culture, pulling together beliefs, 535p. $49.95 (ISBN 0-19-507239-1). practices, ideas, symbols, traditions, move­ LCCN 99-21182. ments, trends, organizations, discourses This single-volume reference work “will and major leaders” (Introd.). The result is serve … as a companion to the enjoyment an excellent guide to the whole range of or study of the crime and mystery genre” phenomena that constitute contemporary (Introd.), concentrating on works pub­ American religion with its mix of tradition­ lished in English since the beginning of the ally established faiths, traditions from genre, which is marked by The Murders in other parts of the world that have gained the Rue Morgue (1841). Although the selec­ new prominence through changing immi­ tion of the entries is more focused on the gration patterns or new waves of conver­ British scene, the book shows the interna­ sion in this country, and newer cults and tional nature of the genre, including some systems of belief. Along with profiles of non-English-speaking authors who have individual religious denominations, tradi­ been translated into English, such as tions, and organizations are extensive bi­ Georges Simenon, the Maj Sjöwall and Per ographies of key leaders and discussions Walhöö team, and Matsumoto Seicho, to of major festivals, key theological and doc­ name a few. In addition to the entries on trinal issues, and general religious con­ notable non-English writers, it contains a cepts and treatments of broader social de­ history of the development of the genre in velopments that have significant religious continental Europe, China, and Japan. aspects, such as the civil rights movement, Biographical entries are provided for abortion, or home schooling. The cover­ 149 “iconic authors” who are defined as age is indeed quite comprehensive. One “ground breaking in their time, highly would be hard pressed to find any signifi­ influential, or hugely memorable.” This cant religious tradition or prominent reli­ category includes writers of a wide vari­ gious figure in late twentieth-century ety of styles, from Poe to P. D. James. A America who is not at least touched upon typical entry is rather short: the prolific in these pages. Each essay, which can range Agatha Christie, for example, is given in length from a brief entry to as much as only two pages. Famous fictional charac­ three or four pages, provides a basic intro­ ters, “giants or archetypes of the genre,” duction to its subject, along with a few key from Dupin to Dalgliesh, also are honored citations to additional literature on the by a separate entry. They number eighty- topic and, typically, numerous cross-ref­ five in all. Mycroft Holmes has a twenty- erences to related articles elsewhere in the line entry, whereas his more famous encyclopedia. A detailed index at the end brother occupies a page and a half. Many enhances access to the material. entries have a short bibliography, and all 454 College & Research Libraries September 2000 are signed. There is a useful general bib­ “highly evocative” (p. 74), and letters by liography under Reference Works. Granville-Barker “give insight into dra­ Some American readers may disagree matic aims” (p. 112). with the editors’ selection of authors and Clearly, compiling this guide has been their characters. Mickey Spillane, Robert a long process. Though the work was Parker, Sara Paretsky, and Amanda Cross published in 1999, a note on the papers and their characters are treated with their of Clare Booth-Luce mentions a set re­ own entries, but some very popular and stricted until 1997, with no indication of respected contemporary writers, such as their current availability. There is a list of Liillian Jackson Braun and Elizabeth Pe­ archives but, unfortunately, with no ad­ ters, appear only within other headings, dresses, and the Mander & Mitchenson such as Animals and Archaeological Mi­ Collection is listed in Beckenham, North lieu. A comprehensive index traces a America. Individual plays mentioned in number of notes on authors not found the entries are indexed by title, but there under their names in the main section. is no name or collection index so it is im­ Recommended for libraries with gen­ possible to look up an archive to see what eral collections or where courses on de­ collections it has. tective fiction or popular culture are Despite these few drawbacks, this is a taught.—J.S. unique approach to theatrical material and should be very useful in larger the­ Innes, Christopher. Twentieth-Century ater collections.—M.C. British and American Theatre: A Critical Guide to Archives. Aldershot, Hamp­ Games shire: Ashgate, 1999. 316p. $84 (ISBN Parlett, David Sidney. The Oxford History 1-85928-006-8). LCCN 98-29265. of Board Games. Oxford: Univ. Pr., 1999. This guide should be more properly titled 386p. il. $45.00 (ISBN 0-19-212998-8). “a critical guide to archives of selected LCCN 99-229056. individuals.” There are 175 collections This is a companion volume to Parlett’s (arranged alphabetically) from among the Oxford Guide to Card Games (1990; BK129). hundreds involved in modern British and Although it aims to update and replace, American theater. The long, useful intro­ to some degree, the History of Chess (1913) duction explains the selection process: and the History of Board Games Other Than only publicly available material was in­ Chess (1952) by H. J. R. Murray, its pri­ cluded (found in more than a hundred mary aim is “to present an historical sur­ archives in North America, Europe, and vey of positional board games, but ex­ Great Britain), which eliminated many tending the story to modern and currently active people, and the authors proprietary games” (p. 7). excluded collections with only minimal The book covers board games from all amounts of material. times and all areas of the world, from the The introduction explains that current royal game of Ur, considered the oldest research in the theater is moving away complete set of a board game, to computer from “text-based criticism to the analysis chess. Although this work is not meant of performance.” Thus, the collections to be the book of rules, it is inevitable that described were selected because they con­ it includes some basic rules of the game. tained significant material relating to per­ The games are divided into four catego­ formance style. Each entry has a brief ries: race games, space games, chase summary of the individual’s significance games, and displace games. The nine­ and a description of the holdings in vari­ teenth and final chapter is devoted to ous archives, with the useful editorial “Today’s Games” that “advance or ex­ comments clearly indicated. State photo­ pand on a traditional idea.” The interna­ graphs in Gorden Craig’s collection at the tional family of chess games and their Bibliothèque Nationale, for instance, are variants are discussed in two chapters. Selected Reference Books of 1999/2000 455

Numerous illustrations and diagrams ants, provides cross-references to the are included to make it easier to under­ name variants; there are no additional stand the game discussed. cross-references in the body of entries. Bibliographic notes accompany each Each entry begins with summary bio­ chapter, and there are a detailed general graphical information organized into index and a separate game name index.— categories (education, teaching career, J.S. military career, honors/awards, commis­ sions, etc.), along with a photograph or Music other relevant illustration. Comprehen­ International Dictionary of Black Com­ sive lists of works, or selections for pro­ posers. Ed. Samuel A. Floyd, Jr. Chi­ lific composers, organized by medium, cago: Fitzroy Dearborn, 1999. 2v. (xxxi, follow in an alphabetical arrangement, 1,273p.) il. $270 (ISBN 1-88496-427-3). with publication and/or recording infor­ LCCN 99-214303. mation, date of composition, year of pre­ Produced under the auspices of the Cen­ miere, performing instructions, and other ter for Black Music Research at Columbia pertinent information. A bibliography of College, in Chicago, this major work pre­ writings on the composer and a bibliog­ sents information and critical assessments raphy of writings by the composer pre­ on the work of 185 composers, including cede a listing of principal archives that twenty-one women, who reside in loca­ house major collections or significant in­ tions around the world. Aside from the formational files on the composer. commonality of their African heritage, the A critical essay on the composer and composers chosen represent two groups: up to four essays on the composer’s work composers of music for the concert hall, provide an interpretive critique fleshing and composers in popular and vernacular out the preceding information. The essays musical forms and styles. For both groups, were contributed by 105 scholars who, having a substantial corpus of work in along with institutional affiliation, list of commercially published or recorded form publications, and subjects of their essays, provided the basis for inclusion. are listed at the end of the second volume. Composers in the Western classical Other than the critical essays, the in­ tradition comprise almost 50 percent of formation was prepared by the Center for the entries. This high percentage repre­ Black Music Research, drawing on its sents the editor’s attempt to correct the own database and working with the com­ traditional marginalization of classical posers (where possible), national biblio­ music by black composers in the concert graphic databases, performing rights or­ hall. Without this policy, the number of ganizations, scholarly union lists, and so composers in the vernacular traditions on. The combination of the center’s re­ would have overwhelmed the selection. search and informational role and the A few nineteenth- and early twentieth- scholarly and analytical perspective of the century composers are included because essays has created an important reference of their historical or cultural importance. work for a significant body of compos- The editor’s introduction informs us­ ers.—E.D. ers on criteria and organization. The in­ troduction is followed by the Alphabeti­ Art cal List of Entries, which presents the en­ Frazier, Nancy. The Penguin Concise Dic­ try names in the order of their appear­ tionary of Art History. New York: Pen­ ance in the text. Each name is accompa­ guin Reference, 2000. 774p. $60 (ISBN nied by titles of a few musical works, but 0-670-10015-3). LCCN 98-56089. without explanation, although most ap­ In timely contrast to the comprehensive pear to be compositions for which the publishing program of the Grove Dictio­ composer is best known. And the listing, nary of Art (see below) is this “concise” Composer Names, Pseudonyms and Vari­ dictionary of art history, itself almost eight 456 College & Research Libraries September 2000 hundred pages long. But the description London: Macmillan; New York: is nevertheless accurate, for despite its Grove’s Dictionaries, 2000. 2v. In seeming length, the entries, which num­ progress. Contents: Encyclopedia of ber two or three per page in double col­ American Art before 1914 (688p. il. umns, are succinct as well as wide-rang­ $250 (ISBN 1-884446-03-5). LCCN 99­ ing. There is a certain seductiveness in this 41596); Encyclopedia of Latin brevity that leads the reader to wander American & Caribbean Art (782p. il. through the dictionary’s pages with plea­ $250 (ISBN 1-88446-04-3). LCCN 99­ sure and pick up interesting knowledge 41595). along the way, even if the original pur­ These two volumes are the first to be pub­ pose had been merely to identify one date lished in the ambitious continuation of the or definition in a work encompassing 34-volume Grove Dictionary of Art (1996) entries by artist, school, style, medium, and Grove Dictionary of Art Online, a Web period, movement, foreign term, and version inaugurated in 1999. The Encyclo­ theme, among others. pedias of the Arts of the Americas are the first This book is the work of a single au­ of six projected print series encompass­ thor who begins each artist’s entry with ing the art of Asia, Africa, Australia, Eu­ a quote either by the artist or about the rope, and the ancient world, in addition artist by a commentator. Dates, national­ to the Americas, which will include forth­ ity (all Western), medium and school (or coming titles on American art after 1914, period, if an artist), and discipline (or pro­ American Indian, pre-Colombian, and fession, if a critic, collector, historian, pa­ Canadian art. tron, or person or organization otherwise As with the online version, reviewed associated with the visual arts) are listed here in March 2000, these regional volumes directly under the name. All entries in­ update the articles produced for the dic­ clude capitalized cross-references within tionary by their original authors, with edi­ the text and references to specific works torial staff taking on the task of updating of art, literature, and scholarship. There the bibliographies by consulting the online are no illustrations. Bibliography of the History of Art (BF43) and Topics cover a range of study likely to Art Abstracts (BF41) databases. New biog­ be encountered in undergraduate survey raphies, which include thirty California courses in Western art, which makes this artists in the North American volume and book a recommended purchase not only twenty-five artists in the Latin American for academic art libraries, but also for stu­ & Caribbean volume, are further enhance­ dents themselves, who may not always be ments, as are hundreds of new illustrations in a position to access the Dictionary of Art in both black and white, and color. Online from home or dormitory. Although Coverage and scope follow the pattern longer than the Oxford Dictionary of Art of the original dictionary, albeit organized (BF90; new ed. 1997), which this work most here on a regional basis, to include pa­ resembles, the Penguin Concise Dictionary trons, collectors, and writers as well as of Art History has fewer entries and lacks artists, building types (skyscrapers make the chronological, thematic, and institu­ their appearance in this North American tional appendixes of that volume. How­ volume), cities with substantial artistic ever, it does have a detailed index that in­ traditions (e.g., Havana and Medellín in cludes individual works of art and ties to­ the Latin American & Caribbean volume), gether all the locations of cross-references and trends, influences, and art forms throughout the text. A six-page bibliogra­ unique to the periods and places covered phy is provided, as well.—B.S.-A. in these volumes. For libraries subscribing to the online Grove Library of World Art: Grove version, the Grove Library of World Art is Encyclopedias of the Arts of the still a necessary acquisition. Although all Americas, edited by Jane Turner. of the textual revisions present in the print Selected Reference Books of 1999/2000 457 series are eventually incorporated into the followed by a selected bibliography and online version (revision dates are at the an index. top of the online articles), it is the images Topics are weighted toward contempo­ that make up the major difference in the rary terms and issues. The Contract with two formats. Each has different illustra­ America is defined, as is gender gap and tions: the entry under Frederick Law its effect on the 1996 presidential election. Olmsted in the North American volume Also included are brief biographies of has crisp reproductions of park plans for major political figures, both historical and New York; Brooklyn; Riverside, Ill.; and contemporary, as well as explanations of Boston. None of these, nor any external Supreme Court cases that have affected image links, are provided in the online elections and campaign finance law. The version. The McKim, Mead, and White longest section, under the term Elections, article has three photographs in the book briefly details each presidential election and fourteen links in the online database. and campaign held from 1788 to 1996. Ofelia Rodríguez’s Landscape with Red Live This encyclopedia’s strengths are in its Tree is referred to in the online text, but accuracy, the bibliographies at the end of not illustrated there, as it is in color in the entries, the brief biographies of contem­ printed Latin American volume. It ap­ porary political figures such as Tip pears that both formats will continue to O’Neill, and its coverage and clear expla­ complement each other, one providing nation of the many Supreme Court cases expanded means of access and function­ that have had an impact on the political ality (it is now possible to search by date process. However, in its attempt at neu­ in the online file, for example) and the trality, the book fails to convey some of other offering the reliability of clear illus­ the context within which American poli­ trations incorporated into the text. The tics exists. Entries for people such as Newt series continues to be a welcome addition Gingrich and Lee Atwater lack critical to Grove’s program of art reference pub- aspects of the drama and intrigue sur­ lishing.—B.S.-A. rounding these figures. Safire’s New Po­ litical Dictionary (1993. CJ127) is a better Political Science choice for vivid descriptions of political Binning, William C., Larry E. Esterly, and terms such as gerrymander and dark horse. Paul A. Sracic. Encyclopedia of Ameri­ But the most glaring oversight in this can Parties, Campaigns, and Elections. encyclopedia is the lack of any mention Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 1999. of women politicians. There is only one 467p. $99.50 (ISBN 0-313-30312-6). main entry for a woman—Susan B. An­ LCCN 98-46810. thony. Certainly, Shirley Chisholm, This encyclopedia of American elections Geraldine Ferraro, Barbara Jordon, Eliza­ and campaigns tries to provide a bal­ beth Dole, and Patricia Schroder, to name anced, instructive approach to the topic. just a few contemporary politicians, are Its definitions range from the elementary worthy of mention.—A.M. to the complex in order to “provide jour­ nalists, teachers, students and citizens Sociology with a comprehensive guide” (Introd.) to Encyclopedia of Lesbian and Gay Histo­ the specialized language of contemporary ries and Cultures. Garland Reference American politics. Entries are typically Library of Social Sciences, 1002, 1008. brief and arranged alphabetically with New York: Garland, 2000. 2v. Contents: cross-references to related entries. Nearly Lesbian Histories and Cultures. Ed. all entries are followed by a short bibli­ Bonnie Zimmerman. lvi, 862p. $140.00 ography of books and articles for further (ISBN 0-81531920-7). LCCN 99-045010; reading. A useful appendix listing presi­ Gay Histories and Cultures. Ed. George dents, vice presidents, and party control E. Haggerty. xlvii, 986p. $140.00 (ISBN of Congress from 1789 to the present is 0-81531880-4). LCCN 99-040905. 458 College & Research Libraries September 2000

The scope of this work—assessing both Handbook of Family Diversity. Ed. David the historical and current state of gay and H. Demo, Katherine R. Allen, and lesbian culture in the United States and Mark A. Fine. New York: Oxford Univ. around the world—is daunting. Not only Pr., 2000. 460p. il. $59.95 (ISBN 0-19­ have the editors risen to the challenge by 512038-8). LCCN 99-15341. producing an eminently readable, schol­ This volume promises to address the arly encyclopedia of vast scope, but they evolving nature of the family in the United also have shown themselves to be sensi­ States from a pluralist approach, acknowl­ tive to the independent, though naturally edging that changing demographics con­ related, development of lesbian and gay stitute embracing a more inclusive defini­ studies by dividing the work into two tion of the concept of the American family. volumes. In practical terms, this means The editors dismiss outmoded notions that that some general topics are covered in the “white, middle-class, heterosexual” both volumes with the difference being family is the norm, the standard by which the author’s perspective, whereas some to compare other types of families, or even specific topics appear in one volume and the ideal family structure in the twenty- not the other. first century. With nearly a thousand entries in Les­ The handbook is divided broadly into bian Histories and about seven hundred chapters that highlight major issues and entries in Gay Histories, totaling about two controversies in the history of family di­ thousand pages, the work is larger than versity; gender dynamics; family struc­ comparable recent encyclopedias such as ture and diversity; racial, ethnic, and cul­ Completely Queer: The Gay and Lesbian En­ tural diversities; class diversities; and cyclopedia (1998) or Encyclopedia of Homo­ applications for working with families. sexuality (1990. CC277). However, although the editors compe­ Included are the requisite entries on tently explore racial, ethnic, and cultural gay and lesbian individuals (including diversities across families, discussion of living persons), organizations, move­ these types of diversity within families is ments, and concepts. But the real depth a particularly weak area that will require and breadth of the encyclopedia is re­ further attention as scholars and practi­ vealed in its treatment of broader topics tioners attempt to discover new methods covered in articles on countries and aca­ of meeting the needs of the growing num­ demic disciplines viewed through the gay ber of interfaith, multiracial, and and lesbian prism and in the exploration multicultural families across the country. of topics that are not gay or lesbian by Other topics that deserve more extensive nature but, rather, have a gay or lesbian treatment are adoptive and foster fami­ dimension. Consider, for example, the lies, multigenerational families, and dis­ following entries at the beginning of the abilities in families. S section in Lesbian Histories: San Fran­ To its credit, the Handbook of Family cisco, Scholars, Science Fiction, Self-De­ Diversity is especially strong in its discus­ fense, Separatism, Slang, Social-Construc­ sions of family dynamics within single- tion Theory, etc. parent families, stepfamilies, and lesbian Intended for students, scholars, and and gay families, unlike previous refer­ the general public, the encyclopedia is ence works that attempted to paint a com­ easily consulted through either the alpha­ plete picture of the family diversity mo­ betically arranged entries or the Subject saic. Its discussion of education, policy, Guide, which lists entries by topic. All and strategies for working with families entries are signed, contain cross-refer­ in clinical practice also are insightful. In ences to related topics, and conclude with addition, this work features a useful in­ a bibliography. It is a rich, well-conceived, dex and a valuable list of references at the and professionally executed reference end of each chapter. Scholars and practi­ tool, appropriate for any library.—O.dC. tioners alike will find this volume useful, Selected Reference Books of 1999/2000 459 thought-provoking, and a welcome ad­ such as classicists, Nobel Prize winners, dition to the current body of literature on Guinness family, Abbey Theatre, librar­ family research.—A. J. ies, archives, and music performers: wind players. There is little treatment of the Women’s Studies Scotch-Irish as such. Lightman, Marjorie, and Benjamin Articles not written by the editor are Lightman. Biographical Dictionary of signed. Many of the longer articles, for Ancient Greek and Roman Women: No­ example, Abstraction, Belfast, George Ber­ table Women from Sappho to Helen. New keley, Geology and Morphology, Meth­ York: Facts on File, 2000. 298p. il. $45 odist Church, and Parnell Family, have a (ISBN 0-8160-3112-6). LCCN 99-20682. bibliography. The index is fifty-four pages This book identifies some 447 women of long and a welcome addition. Moreover, the Greco-Roman world and provides ci­ the volume ends with a Select Bibliogra­ tations to the classical texts where they are phy of Recent Publications.—E.Mc. mentioned as well as citations to modern works about them. It is “intended for all Henderson, James D., Helen Delpar, and those interested in ancient women, from Maurice P. Brungardt. A Reference the novice student to the general reader Guide to Latin American History. and scholar” (Introd.). The entries range Armonk, N.Y.: M. E. Sharpe, 2000. from one or two paragraphs to several 615p. il. $165 (ISBN 1-56324-744-5). pages. At the back of the volume, an al­ LCCN 99-28766. phabetical registry provides a guide to the This one-volume work offers a compre­ women in the book, an extended bibliog­ hensive overview of significant events in raphy of ancient and modern works, a glos­ Latin America from the pre-Columbian sary of less familiar Latin and Greek terms, era to the present. The book is organized and an excellent index, where one can iden­ into three parts. Part one is a chronology tify all the vestal virgins, for example, or from 40,000 BCE to July 1999 arranged by women associated with the island of Crete. both distinct years and historical periods: The dictionary is beautifully illustrated pre-Columbian, colonial, independence with ancient coins, although, unfortu­ struggles, modernization, political pro­ nately, they are identified only by the like­ test, revolutionary movements, democ­ ness of the women and not by place of coin­ racy, and neoliberalism. Emphasis is age or approximate date. Recommended placed on events in the twentieth century. for libraries of all sizes that support re­ Part two is a topical chronology that de­ search in the classical world.—S.S.W. scribes historical events in more detail. It is divided into themes such as society, History and Area Studies politics and government, economic devel­ Blackwell Companion to Modern Irish opments, and culture. Part three is a col­ Culture. Ed. W. J. McCormack. Oxford: lection of some three hundred biographi­ Blackwell, 1999. 686p. il. $99.95 (ISBN cal sketches of key figures in Latin 0-631-16525-8). LCCN 98-05572. American history. Names listed in bold­ W. J. McCormack has met his aim to pro­ face throughout parts one and two indi­ duce not an encyclopedia but, rather, a cate inclusion of a biographical sketch in companion to entertain as well as inform part three. Black-and-white maps (Introd.). Where else would one find an throughout the text help define political article on Handel in Ireland or a list of and historical events in various eras. The Irish booksellers. Individual biographies book concludes with a selected bibliog­ are kept to a minimum for “there is little raphy of books arranged to correspond point in duplicating matter which can be to the thematic topics covered in the text. found in—say—the Dictionary of National Finally, an extensive index lists the indi­ Biography.” Rather, people are treated viduals included in the biographical sec­ more often under collective headings tion in boldface type. 460 College & Research Libraries September 2000

Written by three professors of Latin Greenwood, 1999. 548p. $95 (ISBN 0­ American studies, the material is well 313-29271-X). LCCN 97-2231. written, readable, and informative. The These dictionaries both treat the major authors have done an excellent job in or­ events of the 1960s but are vastly differ­ ganizing and arranging the text to pro­ ent in coverage and tone. Of the two, Six­ vide the reader with easy access to a vast ties in America gives the broadest picture amount of historical information. This is of the decade. It offers 554 signed entries a worthwhile resource for college and ranging from brief, focused articles on university libraries.—A.M. subjects such as César Chávez and the Trieste Dive to nearly two hundred 2,000­ Lincove, David A. Reconstruction in the word surveys of topics such as the Civil United States: An Annotated Bibliogra­ Rights Movement, the Feminist Move­ phy. Bibliographies and Indexes in ment, the Cold War, Vietnam, as well as American History, 43. Westport, surveys on communications, the Conn.: Greenwood, 2000. 633p. $85 economy, education, marriage and di­ (ISBN 0-313-29199-3). LC 99-053148. vorce, science, medicine, and the space This excellent bibliography, “the first program. Entries are very well written comprehensive annotated bibliography with memorable black-and-white photo­ of Reconstruction scholarship” graphs on nearly every page. The survey (Foreward), annotates nearly three thou­ articles are supported with some forty sand secondary works, including books, charts and graphs detailing the cost of liv­ articles, and dissertations, on the Recon­ ing, television viewing, and chronologies struction period in the South (1865– of medical and scientific milestones. All 1877). It is arranged by broad topic (his­ entries list cross-references and brief bib­ toriography, national policies, and liographies of additional information. regional studies) followed by sections on Appendices list major films by year, ma­ individual states. No single arrangement jor Broadway plays and theatrical awards, can satisfy every user. For example, those most-watched U.S. television shows, ma­ interested in Northern teachers working jor U.S. legislation, best-sellers and in the South will find much information Pulitzer prize winners, popular music in the section titled Aid and Education and notable songs, top-selling recordings, in the chapter on regional studies but a science and technology time line, win­ must also use the detailed subject index ners of major events, a statistical look at to find all the local entries. But the ar­ the United States, and a time line. The rangement is logical, consistent, and un­ appendices are extremely useful and even derstandable. point up the only omission I could find: The compiler also has included a chro­ J. D. Salinger’s stories are listed twice in nology of events, texts of the Thirteenth the top five best-sellers for their year, and and Fourteenth Amendments, citations to yet he is not included among the entries. the various relevant acts of Congress, and The Historical Dictionary of the 1960s is brief descriptions of, and citations to, fed­ ideologically quite different, and the au­ eral court cases. This is an exemplary ad­ thor has an interesting view of the 1960s: dition to Greenwood’s sometimes erratic “Few other eras in U.S. history have be­ series and will be extremely useful in all gun with more optimism and ended in academic libraries.—M.C. more pessimistic despair” (Pref.). The en­ tries are much shorter and are heavily Sixties in America. Ed. Carl Singleton. weighted toward the Vietnam War (the Pasadena, Calif.: Salem, 1999. 3v. 907p. author has published two other encyclo­ il. $315 (ISBN 0-89356-982-8). LCCN pedias on this topic), and include a great 98-49255. number of entries detailing different Historical Dictionary of the 1960s. Ed. battles. Although there is considerable James S. Olson. Westport, Conn.: overlap with Sixties in America and many Selected Reference Books of 1999/2000 461 of the articles seem impartial, there are flict, as well as to the postwar settlement some surprising editorial omissions. For and the Great Power tensions growing example, there is no entry for school de­ out of it. Although the primary emphasis segregation and, indeed, there are no en­ is on military affairs, an impressive tries for education at all. There is an entry amount of attention also is paid to politi­ for Oral Roberts, but not for the Nation of cal and social affairs. Islam or the Black Christian Nationalist Within each of the six sections (social Movement. There is a brief entry for and political issues and events; leaders Madalyn Murray O’Hair, who successfully and individuals; units and organizations; challenged compulsory school prayer, but weapons and equipment; strategy, tactics, her last name is misspelled throughout. and operational techniques; and battles, Some of the entries seem incomplete. For campaigns, and operations), concise, example, the entry for New York Times Co. clearly-written articles ranging from one v. Sullivan begins: “The so-called Warren or two paragraphs to three or four pages Court of the 1950s and 1960s justifiably provide comprehensive information on a earned its reputation as the most liberal broad range of topics arranged in alpha­ Supreme Court in U.S. history. Its liberal betical order. A brief bibliography of two point of view was particularly evident in or three key sources, usually in English, civil liberties decisions …. [In this case] the is appended to each article. Supplement­ Court ordered that public officials could ing this are five appendices: chronology; not sue for libel unless they could prove tables of comparative military rank; glos­ that the publishing unit had made false sary of acronyms, abbreviations, and for­ reports with ‘actual malice.’ Whether the eign and military terms; Allied and Axis report was true or false was irrelevant” code names; and a select bibliography. A (pp. 330–31). This entry would have been set of strategic maps is provided in each more useful to students if it at least had volume. As the preceding suggests, the identified Sullivan and given the back­ strongest emphasis here is specifically on ground of the case. At one-third the cost military history with much detailed sta­ of the other work, this dictionary is no tistical and other data on types of weap­ bargain. Sixties in America, with its longer onry, troop strengths, etc. Most of the ar­ entries, photographs, and appendices, ticles are written in a manner accessible gives by far the better picture of the de- to a broad audience. cade.—S.S.W. This is clearly an authoritative and valuable reference. If one could have just World War II in Europe. Ed. David T. one reference tool for the military history Zabecki. Garland Reference Library of of the war, this would be an excellent the Humanities, 1254. Military History choice, nor would it be a bad choice for of the United States, 6. New York: Gar­ more comprehensive coverage of the land, 1999. 2v. 1,920p. $175.00 (ISBN topic as well. As with any treatment of so 0-8240-7029-1) LCCN 98-27981. vast a topic, of course, every reviewer will Although one can hardly complain of a find some aspects or problems he or she dearth of reference works on the Second would like to have seen treated in a dif­ World War, this new encyclopedia is a ferent way. For example, it would be very welcome addition to the literature. Pro­ useful to have an article synthesizing duced by a team of more than 150 spe­ events in each country involved as an ac­ cialists from eight countries, it provides tor or victim in the war. Certainly, all the nearly comprehensive, concise, authori­ major players are present, but it would tative reference to the key events, indi­ be convenient to be able to trace quickly viduals, issues, and organizations in­ the experience and situation of players volved in the European theater of the war. such as Denmark, Belgium, or the Neth­ It also gives considerable attention to the erlands. Moreover, although there is an causes and events leading up to the con­ admirable breath of coverage here, in­ 462 College & Research Libraries September 2000 cluding much more than is often found Geographic Society “whose cartographic on East Central European affairs, insuffi­ policy is to recognize de facto countries” cient attention is paid to affairs in the (part IV Introd.). End matter includes a Balkans. An article summarizing the fate glossary, several pages of world maps, of the various components of Yugoslavia, and an index. or any mention at all of Bulgaria, would The book’s graphic design is both at­ have been welcome. Lastly, the division tractive and engaging. Through the lib­ of the book into sections appears to hinder eral use of sidebars, graphs, photographs, rather than facilitate use, particularly and maps, the reader is presented with a given the absence of running heads. A lot of factual information without being single alphabetical listing probably would overwhelmed by it. In a chapter on cul­ be easier. The latter problem is at least par­ tural identity, for example, one can choose tially offset by many cross-references and to read a sidebar on the evolution of Indo- two indexes at the back of the volume. European languages. Color graphics are Clearly, this is an essential acquisition used throughout to enhance the chapter for any collection providing serious cov­ texts, which tend to be brief. erage of the Second World War. It is cer­ Intended for a general audience, the tain to be valued by specialists as well as material is written in a clear, concise style. a more general readership.—R.H.S. Because the text does not shy away from technical scientific terminology, a useful Geography glossary helps translate terms such as National Geographic Desk Reference. aphelion, the point on the Earth’s ellipti­ Washington, D.C.: National Geo­ cal orbit at which the sun is farthest from graphic Society, 1999. 700 p. il. $40 the earth. With its wide range of infor­ (ISBN 0-7922-7082-7). LCCN 99-23549. mation and up-to-date maps, this re­ Much more than simply a primer on ge­ source will be a valuable asset to both aca­ ography, this handsomely produced ref­ demic and public libraries.—A.M. erence work is an authoritative guide to the history of the planet, both physically New Editions and culturally. Its contents encompass a Homophones are words pronounced vast amount of information on a broad alike, but different in meaning and spell­ range of global topics presented artfully ing; homographs are words spelled alike, and with the full weight of the National but different in meaning. Both are hom­ Geographic Society’s imprimatur. onyms. James B. Hobbs has gone through Divided into four parts, the book be­ Webster’s II and III unabridged gins with a brief history of the science of dictionairies (AC13–AC14) and the Ran­ geography and cartography and contin­ dom House unabridged, 2nd edition ues with discussions of planet formation, (AC12), to double the number of words weather, landforms, and bioregions. Part included in this, the third edition of Ho­ III is devoted to human geography: how mophones and Homographs: An American humankind’s interactions with the natu­ Dictionary (Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, ral world throughout the millennia have 1999. 318p. $32.50; 2nd ed., 1993. AC75). led to modern civilizations. Individual The volume now includes 7,149 homo­ chapters written by contributing geogra­ phones and 1,469 homographs. phers cover population, migration, and Linguistics: A Guide to the Reference Lit­ cultural, economic, urban, and political erature, compiled by Anna L. DeMiller, has geography, as well as environment and grown with this second edition to 1,039 society. Each part concludes with an an­ entries published 1957 through 1998, with notated bibliography of sources for fur­ a few from 1999 (Englewood, Colo.: Librar­ ther study. Part IV is a country-by-coun­ ies Unlimited, 2000. 396p. $65; 1st ed., 1991. try description of the 191 independent BD3). Of the five hundred new entries, countries counted in 1999 by the National about fifty are for Web sites. Selected Reference Books of 1999/2000 463

1999 saw publication of the final alpha­ Congressional Quarterly has revised betical volume of Deutsche Biographische and updated to 1999 its Guide to Congress Enzyklopädie (DBE) (Munich: Saur. 644p.). with the fifth edition (Washington, D.C.: Band 11, just published in two volumes, CQ Pr., 2000. 2v. 1,354p. il. $39.95). The contains the Nachträge and the arrangement and the reference material— Personnenregister, with cross-references to glossary of terms, Constitution, rules, lists treatments in other articles as well as the of speakers, committee chairs since 1947, main article (Munich: Saur, 2000. 1,323p. members of Congress, 1789–1999—are 398DM per volume). much the same as the fourth edition (1991. The compilers, Alberto Manguel and CJ193), just updated. Gianni Guadalupi, of the first edition of The second edition of African States the Dictionary of Imaginary Places re­ and Rulers by John Stewart (Jefferson, quested information on places not in­ N.C.: McFarland, 1999. 420p. $75; 1st ed., cluded. There were enough responses and 1988) is now arranged geographically new entries to merit publication of a new rather than geopolitically and covers up edition (New York: Harcourt Brace, 2000. to the end of 1998, including the chronol­ 755p. il. $40; 1st ed., 1987). The compila­ ogy. The appendices are interesting: A, a tion still is restricted to places in books table of all African states as they exist to­ and films that can be visited, which means day showing the troubles that have af­ no heavens, no hells, nor places of the flicted them since independence; B, a list­ future. ing of colonial powers showing entities The Dictionary of Deities and Demons in they possessed; and C, a chart showing the Bible (DDD), edited by Karel van der the dates of admission to the United Na­ Toorn, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. Van der tions. The index is to rulers. Horst (Leiden: Brill; Grand Rapids, Mich.: The Encyclopedia of Native American Re­ Eerdmans, 1999. xxxviii, 960p. $95; 1st ed., ligions: An Introduction, by Arlene B. 1995) “discusses all of the gods and de­ Hirschfelder, is updated and revised mons found in the Bible” (Introd.) be they (New York: Facts on File, 2000. 390p. $65; Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Ugaritic, Syro- 1st ed., 1992. BC567). According to the back Palestinian, Persian, Greek or Roman and cover, “in this edition, new or updated assesses the impact of contemporary reli­ information has been included on such gion on Israel and the Early church by fo­ topics as national and state legislation …, cusing on those gods that actually left religious rights in the military, sacred traces in the Bible. “The present thor­ sites, sacred use of tobacco, and court oughly revised edition of DDD contains cases involving the participation of non- some thirty new entries, a host of addi­ Indians in Native American religious cer­ tions and corrections to articles from the emonies.” Updated, too, is the bibliogra­ first edition, and important bibliographi­ phy, Further Reading. cal updates” (Pref.). Walford’s Guide to Reference Materials is Archives of Russia: A Directory and Bib­ now beginning an eighth edition with vol­ liographic Guide to Holdings in Moscow and ume 1: Science and Technology, compiled St. Petersburg, edited and compiled by by Marilyn Mullay and Priscilla Schlicke Patricia Grimsted, Lada V. Repulo, and (London: Library Association, 1999. 687p. Irina V. Tunkina (Armonk, N.Y.: M. E. £135). Out of a total of 7,584 entries, seven Sharpe, 2000. 2v. 1,490p. $275) is the up­ hundred are new and many have been re­ dated and much expanded English-lan­ vised. All formats are included. Subject ar­ guage version of the Russian title, Arkhivy eas of expansion include telecommunica­ Rossii (Moscow: Rosarkhiv, 1997). “Both tions, multimedia and digitization technol­ editions are based on the Archeo-Biblio- ogy, alternative medicine, sports medicine, Base data files maintained at the Federal and palaeopathology. Besides the Author/ Archival Service of Russia (Rosarkhiv)” Title and Subject indexes, there is an Online (verso). and Database Services index.