Reference

In this update of a 1997 edition, Cuvalo (Joliet Junior Coll.), who is both an academic expert on the Balkans and a native of the region, treats his complex subject with breadth, depth, and clarity. While he does not neglect earlier periods, the most intensive sections of this dense volume deal with the complex sociopolitical aftermath of the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords, which helped put an end to the civil war in the region. The work follows the standard format of the publisher's "Historical Dictionaries of Europe" series, which includes a chronology from antiquity to the present, a detailed introduction of the geography and history of the country, an alphabetical dictionary of 300 entries, and an up-to-date bibliography so extensive that it occupies nearly a quarter of the book and has its own table of contents. Additional sections on spelling, acronyms, and abbreviations provide important support for the English-language reader. Entries for organizations are alphabetized by the English translation of their name first, while publications such as newspapers are alphabetized by the original language name first. BOTTOM LINE English-language reference works on the Balkans are few, and when it comes to Bosnia, this is pretty much it. Fortunately, the book rises to the occasion, providing information not easily available online. The only drawback is that the line-drawn maps are of poor quality; still, this is recommended for all academic libraries supporting Slavic and Balkan studies programs and public libraries where there is interest.—Nadine Cohen Baker, Univ. of Georgia, Athens

This compilation of 1200 entries, authored by a score of international scholars and contributors, reflects the impact that various peoples, their cultures, and other societal features like politics have on the environment. The first thing one observes is the sheer weight of the set and that this well-bound encyclopedia is printed on high-quality stock—something worth noting in the print-on-demand publishing world we live in today. The aesthetic quality is introduced in each volume with 20 full-color topographic and political maps of the continents, with more color maps, photographs, tables, and charts interspersed throughout. Edited by Robbins (geography, Univ. of Arizona), the author of textbooks and other scholarly material on similar subjects, the encyclopedia utilizes multiple access points, including a "reader's guide" (akin to a pathfinder) to each volume, a traditional A-to-Z article list, a list of resources, and an index with a large, easy-to-read typeface. Other enhancements include a chronology, a glossary, and a statistical appendix of the UN's main environmental indicators related to water, air, waste, and land, which are listed by country. Entries range in length from a few paragraphs to several pages; each concludes with See references and bibliographies that include web resources. Entries by country name (rather than eco-regions) will make assignments easier. BOTTOM LINE The introduction notes that this set is intended for North American readers, reflecting the larger impact of North American policies and practices worldwide. There's no denying that this is an encyclopedia, but rather than stodgy and dry, the voice of the text is lively and active. The topic is intelligently presented in a thoroughly approachable, authoritative, and complete format. Highly recommended. [Available electronically through SAGE eReference and Gale Virtual Reference Library.]—Katherine Mossman, Everett P.L., WA

Charles Perrow once called organization studies "a zoological garden…where we are not even looking at the same beast," that is, a diverse field encompassing many disciplines and approaches. The field came together in the 1950s around the study of the management of work. For this encyclopedia, Clegg (business, Univ. of Technology, Sydney, Australia) and Bailey (Tucker Professor of Leadership & director, executive education, George Washington Univ. Sch. of Business) chose topics from the Handbook of Organization Studies, which Clegg coedited for Sage in 1996. However, the editors also included subjects they saw as previously marginalized, such as power relations, feminism, globalization, virtual reality, and value assumptions. The 400 entries reflect the concerted internationalism of the 350 contributors, most of whom appear to be members of the European Group for Organization Studies. At three pages each, the entries cover such topics as control, corporate branding, Hawthorne studies, multiculturalism, organizational environments, team learning, technological determinism, and values. Each entry has two sections: a "Conceptual Overview" and "Critical Commentary/Future Directions," with further readings and cross-references also included. There are no biographical entries, but the contributions of important individuals are explored. The index should be a lot better. For instance, "social responsibility" is indexed only under "corporate social responsibility." To help users possibly overcome the indexing handicap, there is a Reader's Guide of entries classified by 20 categories such as "Culture and Symbolism," "Leadership Theory," and "Technologies." There is also a straight alphabetical list of entries. The text boasts few illustrations and relatively few web sites, giving the set a dated feel. BOTTOM LINE This work is probably essential for labor and management collections. No other reference work attempts to be so inclusive about organizations, but considering the price and the drawbacks already cited, think twice. [Available electronically through SAGE eReference and Gale Virtual Reference Library.]—Janice Dunham, John Jay Coll. Lib., CUNY

Who invented air conditioners? What about Coca-Cola and eBay? This set goes beyond the basic answers to such questions. Each of its 172 articles starts with a paragraph on the significance of the invention in question and includes brief biographical information and discussion of the inventor's research process as well as the impact of the invention. Insets may include time lines or information on such topics as how the invention works, related inventions, and statistics. Each article also includes See also references and a "Further Reading" section covering print and online sources. Twenty-one topical articles are scattered throughout the set, including "Accidents and Mistakes," "Contests," "Corporate Invention," "Invention and Innovation," "Patents," and "Young Inventors." Volume 1 has a thematic outline of contents, organizing the inventors in 14 broad categories; Volumes 1 through 4 include volume indexes; and Volume 5 includes a glossary, resources for further study organized by category, a name index, an inventions index, and a comprehensive index. The entire set is illustrated with colorful and well-chosen graphics. BOTTOM LINE Since the articles are appropriate for middle school through high school sophomore students, they are meant to make science and technology attractive to this audience. Although many of the inventors are included in standard biographical sources, these articles are broader and more comprehensive than simple biographies. Highly recommended for middle and high school libraries and public library YA collections.—Rosanne M. Cordell, Indiana Univ. Lib., South Bend

Originally published in 2000, this revised edition covers 19th- and 20th-century North American authors from James Fenimore Cooper to Barbara Kingsolver and Margaret Atwood. According to the publisher, the authors were chosen because their works "are most often studied in North American high school and undergraduate literature courses." The 145 entries, which cover all genres and styles, have been updated through early 2007. Each signed essay ranges from eight to 15 pages in length and includes a brief biography, a black-and-white photograph, an unannotated bibliography of other works by the author, discussion of the author's long fiction achievements, a brief analysis of specific novels, and an annotated bibliography for further research. Unfortunately, the contributors' list identifies contributors only by institution or the phrase independent scholar. Cross-references appear in the index, but not all pen names are included in either the index or the entry. For example, Stephen King has written under six names—Stephen King, Richard Bachman, Steve King, John Swithen, Eleanor Druse, and Stephen Edwin King—yet the only names included in the essay and index are Stephen King, Richard Bachman, and Eleanor Druse. The time line consists of author name and birth date, while the glossary covers only a few terms. BOTTOM LINE Part of Salem's "Magill's Choice" series, this title is more narrowly focused, covers fewer authors, and has less depth than other, more extensive resources, such as Salem's own Masterplots and Masterplots II, Thomson Gale's Contemporary Authors and Contemporary Literary Criticism. Likely to be most effective with high school and junior college students; recommended for purchase where needed.—Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX

The fourth edition of this impressive work provides first-class information about the history of the American presidency. Thoroughly updated, with more than 300 entries, it provides information about the development of the institution of the presidency since its creation, the organization and development of the executive branch, and the balance of powers among the three branches of the federal government. Also included is biographical information about the 43 occupants of the Oval Office, first ladies, and vice presidents and a discussion of influential cabinet members and important legislation and events that transpired during each president's tenure. All entries are cross-referenced with a box indicating where to find more information related to the topic. The book ends with a "Reference Materials" section that complements the main body of the text with tables and selected information about the presidents, presidential elections, Congress, and presidential cabinets. It also includes a copy of the U.S. Constitution and its 27 amendments. Cocreators of the American Presidency Project at the University of California at Santa Clara, Peters and Woolley also coauthored State of the Union: Presidential Rhetoric from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush. BOTTOM LINE Devoid of technical terms and jargon, the text is easy to follow, which makes this work ideal reading for the novice or nonprofessional. The lack of a separate subject index makes looking for specific topics more cumbersome. Still, this resource would be extremely valuable for high school and undergraduate college students working on U.S. political history papers. Recommended for school and undergraduate college libraries, as well as all public libraries.—Luis J. Gonzalez, Hunter Coll. Libs., New York

Widely praised by leading Italian chefs and including a foreword by Mario Batali, this A-to-Z guide to Italian food and culture includes more than 900 articles on everything from medieval cookbooks and Italian food in Renaissance painting to the latest cooking methods and regional delicacies. The content is engaging and appetizing and is equally enthralling whether discussing history or flavor, as it provides answers to questions great and small about all things Italian. The book is organized alphabetically, but its content is also accessible by subject, which include art and culture; baked goods; biographies; cheese and milk products; culinary terms; drinks and beverages; fish and seafood; fruits, vegetables, and nuts; herbs, spices, and condiments; history and society; meat and meat products; pasta and rice; prepared food and dishes; preparing, serving, and eating; regional cuisine; and sweets and confectionary. While photos are scattered throughout, more care could have been given to the book's visual presentation with the inclusion of additional images as well as sidebars, favorite recipes, and perhaps a color insert. Nevertheless, the book will delight readers and meets its goal of providing browsing pleasure. The author clearly shares her passion for food, having written many books on food and art, including Renaissance Recipes and A Feast for the Eyes. BOTTOM LINE The first in Oxford's new "Regional Food Companion" series, this title makes an excellent companion to Italian cookbooks such as Everyday Italian or Molto Italiano. Recommended for all libraries with specialties in Italian culture and cooking. [Available electronically through Oxford Digital Reference Shelf.]—Kathleen A. Welton, Chicago

Best-selling titles such as Dayna Curry and others' Prisoners of Hope and Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner demonstrate the public's strong interest in Afghanistan. The war on terror, Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban are hot topics in today's news. Part of Facts On File's "Brief History" series—which aims to provide concise histories of the struggles and triumphs of various peoples and cultures—this title offers researchers and students grades nine and up a look at the antiquity and special nature of Afghanistan, examining the country's two major religious groups, the Sunnis and Shiites. As noted in the introduction, Afghanistan is a bit of a mystery. It is not unified in any ethnic or linguistic sense and has no natural geographic borders, and after three decades of war, revolution, terrorism, and intervention by other countries it remains a contradiction. Though one of the world's poorest and least developed countries, it has significant mineral and energy resources. The largest part of the book covers the violent era from the overthrow of monarchy in 1973 to the fall of the Taliban, taking a closer look at the experiences and effects of mass destruction, death, and tyranny. A handy appendix gives basic facts of interest about the country. Of special interest to librarians: Wahab is in charge of the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Library, which holds the largest collection of Afghan materials in the United States. BOTTOM LINE This reasonably priced and accessible resource could function well as a starting point for student debates on controversial issues such as human rights violations, public opinion on support of U.S. troops, and the oppression of women by the Taliban. It's also a good companion to Greenhaven's Opposing Viewpoints: Afghanistan, which is arranged in a pro/con format, exposing many sides of an issue and promoting critical thinking. Recommended for most high school and public libraries. [According to the publisher's web site, libraries pay $40.50 for each title in the series.—Ed.]—Bobbie Wrinkle, McCracken Cty. P.L., Paducah, KY

Edited by archaeologist Cremin (The Celts in Europe), this encyclopedia comprises the entire history of humankind from the earliest fossil hominids 30 million years ago to the Kingdom of Hawaii in the early 19th century. After a concise overview of the history, issues, problems, and techniques of the field, the main atlas, which covers 150 archaeological sites, is arranged semichronologically within broad geographical areas. The A-to-Z entries are clearly written for a general audience by practicing archaeologists who are specialists in the subject areas covered. Many entries have inset boxes that further explore some aspect or issue related to the main article, and an archaeological time line, a glossary of terms, and a list for further reading are also included. Lavishly illustrated in full-color throughout, the volume belies its modest price and could be mistaken for a coffee-table book were the informational aspects of the work less impressive. BOTTOM LINE As with many single-volume works, certain topics are neglected, e.g., contemporary archaeology of modern urban settings. It would have also been useful had the references been printed with each article rather than together in one "Further Reading" list. However, if we view this as an introduction to the archaeological discoveries of the last few centuries, there is little here to be faulted, particularly at this price. Recommended for high school, public, and college libraries.—Amanda Sprochi, Univ. of Missouri Lib., Columbia