Old Dominion University ODU Digital Commons Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications University Libraries 2019 The Handbook of Research on Black Males: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Multidisciplinary Rob Tench Old Dominion University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/libraries_fac_pubs Part of the Collection Development and Management Commons Original Publication Citation Tench, R. (2019). The handbook of research on black males: Quantitative, qualitative, and multidisciplinary. Library Journal, 144(2), 147-148. This Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by the University Libraries at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LJ reference ૽Encyclopedia of Women in World Maps and New Cartography. National ૽Taylor, Marianne. Bats: An Illustrated Religions: Faith and Culture Across Geographic. 2018. 256p. illus. maps. ISBN Guide to All Species. Smithsonian. Apr. 2019. History. ABC-CLIO. 2018. 863p. ed. by 9781426219719. $45. HIST 400p. photos by Merlin Tuttle. maps. index. Susan de-Gaia. photos. bibliog. index. Featuring 114 period maps and 100 new ISBN 9781588346476. $29.95. SCI ISBN 9781440848490. $198; ebk. ISBN ones, this stunning atlas illustrates the mili- Bats make up about 20 percent of the 9781440848506. REL tary campaigns and political boundaries of world’s mammals, but the challenges of The study of world religions has been World War II. Also included are contextual- studying such small, fast-flying, nocturnal largely dominated by men (as has been izing essays, photo reproductions of weap- animals mean that our knowledge about the case with most disciplines), and only ons and soldiers, and pictures of artifacts of them is incomplete. Technological advances recently have modern scholars begun to the era such as spy gear and tattered wartime in field and lab research have increased our explore the role of women. This timely, flags. Coverage is comprehensive, includ- understanding, reflected in this spectacular two-volume encyclopedia fills in the gaps ing major battles (Stalingrad and Midway, volume from Taylor (The Way of the Hare). regarding women’s religious contributions. where the tide turned against Germany and The precise text and lush, extravagant pho- Edited by de-Gaia (philosophy & religion, Japan) and obscure theaters (Burma). Kagan tographs from Tuttle (The Secret Lives of Bats) Central Michigan Univ.), this work boasts (editor, Great Photography of World War II) offer a compelling combination. A concise a diverse range of contributors, includ- and frequent National Geographic contribu- introduction explores evolution, diversity, ing academics, religious leaders, healers, tor Hyslop (Atlas of the Civil War) arrange biology, behavior, ecology, and the bats/ artists, and museum directors. De-Gaia the chapters chronologically by theater and people connection. Brief profiles of 1,386 emphasizes that the focus is women in re- belligerent. Emphasis is on war and poli- known species, arranged taxonomically, comprise the second section and detail the distribution, conservation status, physi- cal traits, habitat, and behavior of various kinds of bats. Mostly color and full-page photographs show the creatures doing their beneficial things: on the wing chasing in- sects, pollinating flowers, or aiding in seed dispersal. These animals astonish even in repose, especially when “sitting” for one of Tuttle’s facial portraits or roosting en masse. Indexes provide access by scientific and THE HANDBOOK OF :·:'::::: ...... common bat names, but one might wish RESEARCH ON BLACK0 MALES for an easier way to pinpoint local species, - such as an additional “distribution table.” OU ANTITATIH QJHI UT IVE AND MULTIDISCIPLIN AR Y VERDICT Going far beyond the practical value of a guidebook, this is an important Vital scholarship on being black & male, women’s religious contributions, violence as entertainment update to bat literature and one to savor, containing a wonder on nearly every page ligion as opposed to general religious stud- tics, with few maps illustrating economies, and proving that bats are indeed “intelligent, ies, which have been examined in detail populations, or other aspects. Despite the curious, comical, even essential animals.”— in many other resources. This book also atlas’s coffee-table dimensions, several of the Robert Eagan, Windsor P.L., Ont. serves to counter the misogyny commonly full-page period maps are faded, densely found in world religions. Chapters exam- detailed, and handwritten, which makes ૽The Handbook of Research on Black ine specific faiths (e.g., Christianity, Islam, deciphering them tricky without a magni- Males: Quantitative, Qualitative, and and Hinduism) or eras and location (pre- fying glass. One disturbing entry is a Nazi Multidisciplinary. Michigan State Univ. historic religions, African religions), with sketch showing the Baltic States and Belo- 2018. 688p. ed. by Theodore Ransaw thoughtful and comprehensive entries that russia, each marked with a coffin and the & others. photos. notes. bibliog. index. include suggestions for further reading, re- number of Jewish people murdered as of ISBN 9781611862973. $74.95; ebk. ISBN sulting in a scholarly, much-needed work. 1942. Shockingly, this map is labeled Estonia 9781628953411. SOC SCI VERDICT Essential for academic and reli- “Judenfrei”—the Nazis believed they had This vital work by Ransaw (African Ameri- gious institutions.—Dave Pugl, Ela Area P.L., exterminated every Jew in Estonia. VERDICT can & African studies, Michigan State Lake Zurich, IL Thoughtfully curated and beautifully de- Univ), C.P. Gause (educational leadership signed, this volume is sure to appeal to mili- & counseling, Southeast Missouri State), Kagan, Neil & Stephen G. Hyslop. Atlas tary history aficionados and anyone with an and Richard Majors (Univ. of Colorado- of World War II: History’s Greatest unadorned coffee table.—Michael Rodriguez, Colorado Springs) encourages researchers in Conflict Revealed Through Rare Wartime Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs different fields to explore the American black WWW.LIBRARYJOURNAL.COM REVIEWS, NEWS, AND MORE ~L__ _________ _ MARCH 2019 | LJ | 147 REFERENCE male experience and share their perspec- 2018. 343p. ed. by Laura L. Finley. index. the establishment of European settlements tives to inform their subjects and improve ISBN 9781440854323. $94; ebk. ISBN on every continent, and the discovery of their lives. Each part (history, research and 9781440854330. SOC SCI the Northwest and Northeast Passages. research trends, health, education, criminal Most readers are aware of the pervasive- Materials include diaries, ships’ logbooks, and social justice, hip-hop, and programs and ness of violence in U.S. popular culture, but correspondence, maps, art, photographs, initiatives) provides several essays and ends many who pick up this crisp, informative en- manuscripts, scientific papers, and even with a personal vignette by a former stu- cyclopedia will be surprised to learn just how some audio and video footage. Content is dent of Ransaw. Gause’s concluding piece, far it extends: Disney movies, Broadway drawn from 12 libraries and archives from “Where Do We Go From Here,” asks read- musicals, and famous novels. Finley (sociol- the United States, Canada, the UK, France, ers to explore what it means to be a black ogy & criminology, Barry Univ., FL) and and New Zealand. The resource also fea- man in the United States and to find long- coauthors thoroughly explore the influence tures an interactive chronology and map and term solutions to gender and racial preju- of violence in the media. Students in need of biographies. dice. Although all the essays are superb, the information for reports will gravitate to the Documents are divided into ten themes, sections on education and hip-hop are par- chapter on video games, which analyzes Call including new territories, life at sea, indige- ticular standouts, with pointed discussion of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Super Mario nous peoples, and competition. Some high- on out-of-the box teaching strategies, the Brothers, among others. Other sections ex- lights include Capt. James Cook’s journals, school-to-prison pipeline, and hip-hop as amine radio, film, TV, music, and literature. Le livre des Merveilles by Marco Polo, and an avenue of unpacking the complexities Chapters begin with excellent introductions, the silent film Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Glorious of black masculinity. This is a seminal piece and the 100-plus entries contain further Epic of the Antarctic (1919). Researchers can of scholarship on the influence black males reading suggestions. A lengthy list of recom- investigate a wide range of archival materials have on American society and the challenges mended resources concludes the work. The marking key events in the history of Euro- they face on a daily basis. VERDICT An in- volume is balanced, covering controversial pean exploration and colonialism. dispensable offering for academicians, re- subjects and larger issues such as censorship, USABILITY The homepage, and every other searchers, advanced students, policymakers, the effect of violence on children, and First page, features a basic keyword search box. and experienced community practitioners.— Amendment rights. VERDICT An absorbing, Users can filter results by date range, docu- Rob Tench, Old Dominion