Short Takes

An interpretative rather than an encyclopedic reference, Flamming's (Bound for Freedom) historical guide offers an energetic narrative illuminating the lives of pioneering African Americans, from Colonial-era Afro-Spaniards to African Americans who moved West following the two modern-era Great Migrations. Maps detailing geographical delineations, general migration patterns, and regional ethnic concentrations open the book. The ten subsequent chronologically organized chapters trace the movement of African Americans from Revolutionary-era slavery to freedom through the social upheavals of the 1960s, the nationalist movements of the 1970s, and issues of the contemporary period. A vital companion to William Loren Katz's pictorial history, The Black West.

Contributing to the already tremendous amount of reference material on the Great Depression and World War II, Carlisle (Powder and Propellants) has created an appealing and accessible reference that explores the rapidly changing social history of the common man and woman during this 20-year period. Sixteen thematic chapters focus on concepts such as the era's daily life, social attitudes, crime, labor, migration, and even transportation. Page-long sidebars illuminate underrecognized corners of the American experience, from the zoot suit riots to the Legion of Decency. A truly excellent resource, filled with revealing, little-seen period photographs, advertisements, and other telling ephemera.

Although slender, this cultural studies guide offers a vibrant outline of astronomy's influence on a variety of societies, from the enigmatic Celtics onward. Independent scholar Edith Hetherington and author Norriss Hetherington (Planetary Motions) divide the book into ten themed chapters, covering subjects as complex and divergent as ancient archaeoastronomy and astronomy's embattled relationship with religion. Although it may lack the scholarly rigor required by researchers, this highly accessible, engaging read is ideal for curious laypeople. Moreover, it is the only astronomy reference to offer such a broad subject survey, expanding its scope beyond a single culture or time period.

While the study of the universe has been treated at length by other primer-style guides, Liddle (Introduction to Modern Cosmology) and Loveday (astronomy, Univ. of Sussex) have made their contribution a portable quick-reference tool. It organizes its 350 terms alphabetically and accompanies 170 of them with encyclopedia-style illustrations. Running in length from a single paragraph to two pages, entries profile significant scientific figures and key concepts. New astrophysical hypotheses, such as anti-matter, dark energy, and superstring theory, are also succinctly explained. Web sites and bibliographic references appear at the conclusion of many entries. A fine complement to Steven Weinberg's detailed, highly acclaimed, Oxford-published Cosmology.

A revision of the second edition released in 2004, this update offers over 2600 profiles of 20th- and 21st-century political leaders, organizations, treaties, religious movements, and nation-states. With each country's summary, Palmowski (Urban Liberalism in Imperial Germany) provides a concise discussion of past and present issues. However, despite its recent publication date, some information appears untouched, as evidenced by Jesse Jackson's entry, which declares him to be the only African American—besides Colin Powell—to receive a major party endorsement "before or since" 1988. Likewise, a small collection of maps goes no further than 1950. Still, a largely practical, portable quick-reference guide.

Patrick (Forts of the West) and Thompson (Dakotas) offer a charming look at the genesis and evolution of the items, organizations, and events Americans generally take for granted, such as buttons, state fairs, and toilet paper. Organized into nine chapters, including "Garments" and "Medications," and 50 subcategories like "Underwear" and "Beautification," the descriptive mini-essays run roughly one page. Each is accompanied by a lovely, full-color photograph and, occasionally, an illustrated time line. Witty and enlightening, the book carries all the delights of an American history museum visit, although entries reveal that many contemporary objects and customs were developed on other shores.

Focusing on aeronautics technology and its profound significance for military strategy, Wragg (Plan Z) steers his guide away from aviation's role in facilitating space exploration, a fact underscored by NASA's single-paragraph entry. Organized alphabetically, 4000 term definitions and figure profiles run multiple paragraphs in length and define the key discoveries, organizations, and people in aviation history. Occasionally, the entries (e.g., Enola Gay) omit reference to contemporary discourse, such as the controversial 1994 Smithsonian exhibition. Still, a vital reference and a practical accompaniment to Walter J. Boyne and Mae E. Jemison's Chronicle of Flight: A Year-by-Year History of Aviation.