Reference

This popular annual—Ash's 20th Top 10 of Everything book—is an entertaining, full-color collection of top ten lists covering an array of topics and disciplines, including, among many others, the universe, music and entertainment, sports, nature, history, and cultures. As with prior editions, some topics recur, some are updated with new information, and some are entirely new, lending freshness to this latest incarnation. Sources are cited right along with the lists, and when lists are relative, Ash says so (as with the list of most and least corrupt countries). Other useful features include a handy index, a short guide to web sites for further reading, and "First" and "Fast" fact boxes scattered throughout that identify the most recent achievers in various fields. BOTTOM LINE With over 7000 facts cited in an easy-to-understand, easy-to-browse format, this affordable volume is suitable for circulating as well as reference collections in public libraries of all sizes. High school libraries may consider as well.—Katherine Mossman, Everett P.L., WA

Hayes, a geographer trained at the University of Hull, England, and the University of British Columbia, has previously authored the spectacular Historical Atlas of the Pacific Northwest (Sasquatch, 1999), Historical Atlas of the Arctic (Douglas & McIntyre, 2003), America Discovered (Douglas & McIntyre 2004), and Historical Atlas of the United States (Univ. of California, 2006). The West, for the purpose of this atlas, is defined as the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and all states west of them, including Alaska, but not Hawai'i. More than 600 maps have been carefully selected and beautifully reproduced in full color. They provide the primary-source documentation for the historical narrative, written for the general reader, tracing the development of the Western United States from its indigenous inhabitants to European exploration, the migration of settlers, and 20th-century events. As always, Hayes has chosen maps that engage both the viewers' intellect and their aesthetic sense. Among the most interesting are those that were part of promotionals produced by the regional railroads and real estate interests to entice easterners to go west. Some maps are disturbing, such as those prepared for the so-called Japanese Evacuation Program during World War II and H-bomb evacuation routes during the Cold War. In addition to extensive captions, all maps are listed in the "Map Catalog" with their sources and accession numbers when applicable. BOTTOM LINE A high quality publication at an amazingly low price, this atlas is highly recommended for all public and academic libraries, history buffs, and map enthusiasts.—Edward K. Werner, St. Lucie Cty. Lib. Syst., Ft. Pierce, FL

Mayhew, who has authored every previous edition of this work, has produced yet another comprehensive one-volume dictionary covering human and physical geography and such fields as cartography, meteorology, climatology, ecology, geology, geomorphology, and agriculture. The definitions are generally short, ranging in length from one to three paragraphs and including abbreviated bibliographic citations and cross-references indicated with asterisks. Some entries have black-and-white illustrations or web links (a full list is available online at www.oup.com/uk/reference/resources/geography). The format is pleasing, with bold headings and ample white space. However, the short introduction mentions nothing about the web links and states a different number of entries from the back cover (6300 vs. 3500), suggesting that the publisher rushed to press without adequate attention to this supplementary material. Additionally, the publisher's web site states that the dictionary includes a Factfinder appendix that gives important statistical information for nearly 40 countries, but it did not appear in the review copy. BOTTOM LINE The aforementioned inconsistencies are disappointing when they come from a publisher of this repute. Nonetheless, the body of the dictionary has the high-quality information expected from Oxford, which makes it useful to everyone from geography undergraduate students through faculty. Recommended for academic libraries supporting geography programs.—Rosanne M. Cordell, Indiana Univ. Lib., South Bend

Covering 141 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America, the Arab States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the World Heritage List is a valuable guide to the world's cultural and natural heritage. The spectacular and extraordinary sites that make it onto the list include the Acropolis in Athens; the Statue of Liberty in New York; Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, the world's first international peace park, which straddles the U.S.-Canada border; the remarkable Dazu Rock Carvings in China; and the unique ecosystem of the Serengeti in Tanzania, plus many more. The beauty of this book is in both the lavish photographs and the accessibility of information. Each site can be found on the continent maps or in the alphabetical or country-by-country index. All entries are presented in a similar manner and are arranged chronologically by the year in which they were inscribed on the World Heritage List, beginning with the Galapagos Islands in 1978 and ending with the Al-Hijr Archaeological Site in 2008. BOTTOM LINE UNESCO's World Heritage mission is to encourage the identification, protection, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This treasure trove of a book reinforces that mission and, through spectacular photographs, shows how remarkable and beautiful our planet truly is. An excellent (and affordable) addition to any library.—Kathleen A. Welton, Chicago

In the introduction to this set, Forsythe (political science, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln)—who has previously been involved with several other books involving human rights—says that the book was inspired by Edward Lawson's Encyclopedia of Human Rights (Taylor & Francis, 1996). Given that this set encompasses five hefty volumes, the inspiration must have been great. The 321 alphabetically arranged articles provide a comprehensive analysis of human rights achievements, human rights progress in the last 50 years, political movements, and efforts in various countries to promote or restrict human rights. Article length can vary, with most running over four pages but some stretching to 12 pages; biographical references at the end of each lead users to further information. Biographical articles featuring selected political leaders provide a synopsis of the individual's life and discuss how that person has influenced the advancement of human rights or has restricted people's rights in their country. Most of the over 260 contributors are from a variety of academic institutions around the world. Because activities in one area of human rights can influence other areas, See also notes are included in articles referring readers to other articles. While the articles are easy to read, library patrons may find some more compelling than others. BOTTOM LINE Owing to the size and scope of this encyclopedia, academic libraries probably would be the most interested. However, librarians in other institutions that assist with questions about human rights may also find it useful. At well over 2500 pages, buy it if your shelf space and budget allow; if not, consider getting it in ebook format through Oxford's ebook platform.—James Langan, Univ. of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Lib.

Hindman (labor & human resources, Applachian State Univ.) has assembled 190 academics, researchers, activists, and policymakers to produce a comprehensive survey of child labor worldwide. The international contributors represent a variety of disciplines (e.g., economics, history, anthropology, child development, public policy, and demography). The 222 original essays represent myriad perspectives (e.g., pro-West/anti-West, Left/Right, globalist/antiglobalist) and provide a wealth of fact, analysis, and food for thought. The first section of the book looks at child labor globally, with essays on theoretical perspectives, history, current forms of child labor, and international action to combat it. The remaining sections look at child labor in every region of the world, beginning with thematic essays on such topics as specific industries, education, and law, followed by essays on selected countries, which vary in length, based on available information. For the developing world, country essays include basic statistics on demographics, health, economy, and child activity. Essays on developed countries address the history of child labor and the possibility of its continuation or reemergence today. BOTTOM LINE This comprehensive title is unique in gathering together theory, policy, and practice in one scholarly but highly readable volume. The addition of an appendix gathering comparative statistics in one place would be an added bonus, but this title is still highly recommended as is for high school, college, and public libraries.—Nadine Cohen, Univ. of Georgia Lib., Athens

How large is infinity? Are designer babies really designed? Can a cat be alive and dead at the same time? All of these questions urge the reader to explore the 100 most important, groundbreaking ideas that have emerged from the scientific disciplines of genetics, physics, and mathematics. Divided into three sections, each written by one of the authors—Henderson is a specialist in genetics, Joanne Baker is editor of Nature and a physics major, and Tony Crilly is a former mathematics instructor who has written extensively in mathematics—this work presents complex scientific topics in a simple, understandable way. The introduction includes a time line that shows how the ideas are develped within each section. The entries, which range from two to four pages in length, explain concisely how each topic has profoundly influenced our lives. Text boxes, entertaining quotations, frequent diagrams, and everyday examples hold the reader's attention and make this work engaging to anyone interested in the world of science. BOTTOM LINE Unlike other popular science books, such as Peter Moore's Little Book of Big Ideas: Science (Chicago Review, 2006), which focuses on biography, this book concentrates instead on the interaction and development of these ideas over time. It is highly recommend for high school, college, or university libraries. And since readers with no scientific background would also find the information fascinating, the book would be a great addition to the circulating collections in public libraries.—Hazel Cameron, Overlake Hosp. Lib., Bellevue, WA

Compiled by Burch, cofounder and board member of the Disability History Association and recipient of a Mellon Seminar Fellowship and Fulbright Lecturing Award, this work focuses on the importance of disability in American history, the need to explain disability in historical rather than medical terms, and the varieties and similarities of the historical experiences among those with disabilities. It thus succeeds in bringing to the forefront something that has typically gone unnoticed, allowing us to understand America in new ways by looking at it through a specific lens. The over 750 entries, contributed by over 350 authors nationwide, cover activists, disabled persons, authors, and inventors. Also covered are topics relating to disability in general, such as disorders, organizations, governmental institutes, acts and legal cases, publications, movements, sites of importance, events, major historical experiences, stereotypes, popular culture, autobiographical essays, and literature. The set includes an A-to-Z list of the entries; a separate list of documents included with the entries facilitates the quick location of primary resources. Each volume also includes an index of the work as a whole, enabling easy access to entries of interest. BOTTOM LINE Written at a reading level appropriate to the high school researcher, this work is equally valuable to the college student seeking to learn more about disabilities, American history, or persons who have been involved with disabilities in America.—Sara Rofofsky Marcus, Queensborough Community Coll., Bayside, NY