Reference Reviews: August 2010
Aug 15, 2010Education
Encyclopedia of Educational Reform and Dissent. 2 vols. SAGE. 2010. c.1112p. ed. by Thomas C. Hunt & others. index. ISBN 978-1-4129-5664-2. $350; Online: SAGE Reference Online REF
Coedited by four American professors of education, these two volumes amass more than 440 signed entries by 229 practitioners and scholars. The work is arranged alphabetically, with a list of entries in both volumes that include cross-references. The first volume also contains a reader's guide, organizing the entries into 20 subjects, including organizations of varying types, biographies, accountability, concepts and theories, curriculum and instruction, diversity, finances and education, reports, school types, special needs, and technology. Each entry contains See Also references and a list of further readings. There is a historical time line in the first volume, covering the years 1635–2008, and a comprehensive index at the end of volume two. The introduction in the first volume provides a chronological overview of the entire topic. BOTTOM LINE This work on educational change and critical pedagogy is a valuable resource for any education collection. Whether you are seeking a biography of a figure in the education world, an overview of a legal case or theory, or information about an education association or group, this set is the place to turn.—Sara Rofofsky Marcus, Queensborough Community Coll. Lib., Bayside, NY
Health & Medicine
Mental Health Information for Teens: Health Tips About Mental Wellness and Mental Illness. 3d ed. Omnigraphics. 2010. 448p. ed. by Karen Bellenir. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-7808-1087-7. $69. REF
Omnigraphics' "Teen health" series was created at the behest of librarians to provide basic information for adolescent readers about health and wellness issues. This latest volume, now in its third edition, is less written than compiled from publications by highly trustworthy government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and health foundations with impeccable credentials (e.g., the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, Cleveland Clinic, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the University of Michigan). The writing is accessible for older teenagers; younger people may have a harder time depending on their reading level. The book is divided into six sections, dealing with issues such as mental wellness, mood and anxiety disorders, getting help for mental illness, and where to get further information. The topics covered run the gamut from basic wellness, divorce, stress, and relationship issues to major psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and psychosis. Also covered are topics relevant to teens today, such as cutting, bullying, dating abuse, and addiction. Gray call-out boxes give term definitions, quick facts, and points to remember. BOTTOM LINE This is an excellent resource for teens, parents, teachers, librarians, and those concerned with the mental health issues facing middle- and high-schoolers today; it is particularly useful for those librarians serving a teenage population. Highly recommended for school and public libraries of all sizes.—Amanda K. Sprochi, J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Lib., Univ. of Missouri, Columbia
History
Elsie, Robert. Historical Dictionary of Albania. 2d ed. Scarecrow. (Historical Dictionaries of Europe). 2010. c.662p. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-8108-6188-6. $130. REF
"The poorest and most underdeveloped country in Europe," according to the author, Albania is a mystery to most of us, reason enough to give this title serious consideration. This book represents Albania's third appearance in Scarecrow's "Historical Dictionaries of Europe" series; the first by Raymond Hutchings appeared debuted in 1996, the second by Elsie in 2004. The author of more than 50 books and articles on Albania and a literary translator, Elsie here presents 750 brief entries on the people, organizations, and events shaping this turbulent Balkan land. He includes non-Albanians who have contributed significantly to Albanian studies and culture, and he aptly describes items of cultural interest. The "Evil Eye" entry is particularly intriguing. A chronology of Albanian history from the seventh century B.C.E. to 2009, plus lists of heads of state and political organizations, provides useful supplemental material. The most noticeable update since the 2004 edition is in the extensive classified bibliography. The maps are also new to this edition, but muddy reproduction of the older ones limits their usefulness. BOTTOM LINE Highly recommended for libraries holding the 1996 version or none at all; libraries with Elsie's 2004 edition may choose to await a more substantial update.—Teresa R. Faust, Vermont Dept. of Libs. Berlin
Encyclopedia of Latin America. 4 vols. Facts On File. 2010. 1784p. ed. by Thomas M. Leonard. illus. maps. index. ISBN 978-0-8160-7359-7. $360; Online: Infobase eBooks REF
General editor Leonard (emeritus, history, Univ. of North Florida, Jacksonville) has gathered a notable group of more than 60 contributors for this expansive four-volume set. Each volume begins with an alphabetical list of entries in the entire set, including the volume in which each entry appears. Volumes are categorized chronologically, beginning with the pre-Columbian period (Volume 1, prehistory through foreign colonization), then moving on to the Spanish colonial empire (Volume 2, 1550–1820), the development of new nations (Volume 3, 1820–1900), and the age of globalization (Volume 4, 1900 to the present). Each volume contains an introductory essay and time line specific to that period. The clear and concise entries range from a paragraph or two to several pages in length, and many are illustrated with black-and-white maps, tables, and photographs. Most entries conclude with suggestions for further reading. Each volume also contains an appendix of selected primary-source documents in English translation, many with an introductory paragraph setting them in context. The appendix is followed by a glossary of terms relevant to the volume in hand and additional suggested readings pertinent to that period. BOTTOM LINE An excellent resource for high school libraries and academic libraries at institutions specializing in history and Latin American culture, as well as large public libraries serving audiences with an interest in this area.—Sarah Sutton, Texas A&M Univ. Lib., Corpus Christi
Graebner, Norman A. & others. America and the Cold War, 1941–1991: A Realist Interpretation. Praeger Security. 2010. 686p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-313-38525-4. $124.95. REF
Graebner (Randolph P. Compton Professor of History and Public Affairs, emeritus, Univ. of Virginia; America as a World Power: A Realist Appraisal from Wilson to Reagan), Richard Dean Burns (history, emeritus, California State Univ., Los Angeles), and Joseph M. Siracusa (human security & international diplomacy, Royal Melbourne Inst. of Technology, Australia) aim to provide "a sweeping interpretative history of America's Cold War, chronicling the events of the U.S.-Soviet relations from World War II to the collapse of Moscow-dominated communism" as a way to "prompt current and future denizens of the White House and the Kremlin and the American public to develop and assess foreign policies with far more care than has been characteristic recently." Using files released from the archives of the United States and former Soviet Union and their allies, personal memoirs, letters, and hundreds of other primary and secondary sources, they have indeed created a major new resource in cold war literature with the unique perspective of political realism, putting national interest and security over ideology and moral concerns. BOTTOM LINE This valuable work for history collections in both public and academic libraries sheds much new light on this recent part of our nation's history. Highly recommended.—Marcia Welsh, Dartmouth Coll. Lib., Hanover, NH
Marley, David F. Pirates of the Americas. 2 vols. ABC-CLIO. 2010. 868p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-59884-201-2. $180; ebook ISBN 978-1-59884-202-9. REF
The latest offering from noted naval historian and piracy scholar Marley (Pirates and Privateers of the Americas; Pirates: Adventurers of the High Seas) provides a comprehensive overview of the golden age and the inevitable decline of "rovers" in the Americas. Drawing on numerous primary sources and first-person accounts, this two-volume set is a rich, academic, fascinating examination of infamous pirates such as Bartholomew Roberts, Captain Kidd, and Henry Morgan, as well as lesser-known "gentlemen of fortune," including Kees the Devil, Rock Brasiliano, and Thomas Maggott. Not all of the more than 500-plus entries are privateer biographies; many examine those who hunted them, while still others define terms and concepts vital to understanding piracy during this period. Each entry concludes with a list of related topics and references, and many include illustrations and maps. Appendixes at the end of each volume include a substantial section containing primary-source documents in the form of letters, proclamations, and dispatches. With the volumes divided by date range—1650–1685 and 1686–1725—some of the entries are repeated. Those based on terms such as grenade or aviso vary with examples from the appropriate date range. The biographical entries, however, are often unaltered duplicates. BOTTOM LINE This work compares well to the standard tome on the subject, Philip Gosse's The Pirates' Who's Who. Marley, however, offers numerous illustrations, not to mention the appendixes. It's not the illustrations, but the colorful personalities that make this title so much more than an account of destruction and murder. Entertaining and scholarly, this work is a treasure for all libraries and users of many stripes.—Daniel Sifton, Vancouver Island Univ., B.C.
Law & Crime
Roth, Michael P. Global Organized Crime: A Reference Handbook. ABC-CLIO. (Contemporary World Issues). 2010. 308p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-59884-332-3. $55; Online: ABC-CLIO eBook Collection REF
Roth (criminal justice, Coll. of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State Univ.) presents an informative general overview of international crime organizations and agencies trying to stop them. The book's opening chapter presents a brief history of international crime, beginning with piracy and slavery, then examining more modern criminal organizations. Other chapters explore how international crime can flourish in certain areas, what the author describes as failed states. Also covered are procedures taken by government and nongovernment agencies to try to halt criminal organizations, as well as the obstacles they face. The book also contains statistics about criminal activity, estimated profits from various activities, and texts of treaties pledging to combat it. The chapter presenting biographical sketches provides a useful if brief look at famous criminal leaders, law enforcement figures, and scholars in the field of international crime. This chapter is a somewhat selective list and readers may find their "favorite" crime figure missing (for example, Al Capone). Scholars can find more information both in the bibliography at the end of each chapter and the "Other Resources" chapter. Mostly arranged by geographic location, this section presents an annotated list of books, videos produced by various media sources, and reliable web pages. BOTTOM LINE Because of its depth of exploration, this reference will probably be most useful for college students, but general-interest readers may find it informative. Libraries that own Transnational Organized Crime (Routledge, 2009) probably won't want to buy a second book, but those with older resources may wish to upgrade.—James Langan, Univ. of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Political Science
Grossman, Mark. Encyclopedia of the United States Cabinet: 1789–2010. 2 vols. 2d ed. Grey House. 2010. c.1600p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-59237-562-2. $275; Online: Gale Virtual Reference Library, NetLibrary, MyiLibrary, ebrary & OverDrive REF
ABC-CLIO published Grossman's first edition of this encyclopedia in 2000. In addition to adding the cabinet officers of the two presidents since then, this edition reorganizes the entries by presidential administration rather than by department and expands the appendixes to provide more contextual information about the cabinet secretaries. Grossman has authored a number of encyclopedias covering subjects such as the Persian gulf war, the civil rights movement, capital punishment, the Native American rights movement, and political corruption in America. For each of the 55 presidential administrations, there are historical snapshots for each year that include major events and an introductory essay describing the cabinet. An approximately two-page entry on each cabinet secretary follows describing the person's life prior to entering the cabinet, an overview of his activities in the office, then his life after leaving government service. Each essay also includes a list of references for cited materials. There is an extensive bibliography but not a list a suggested readings for each entry. BOTTOM LINE This well-constructed and well-written encyclopedia would be an asset to academic and large public libraries. Although there are added materials in the second edition, the first edition should be sufficient for most libraries that already own.—Ryan Johnson, Univ. of Mississippi, Oxford
Reference Short Takes
by Savannah Schroll Guz, formerly with Smithsonian Lib., Washington, DC
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology.McFarland. 2010. 181p. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-7864-4452-6. $75. REF
Vampirologist and self-proclaimed skeptic Bane (Haunted Historic Greensboro) offers an expanded sequel to Matthew Bunson's Vampire Encyclopedia. Looking beyond popular Transylvania-focused legends, Bane's approach exemplifies solid cross-cultural scholarship. An illuminating introduction presents a survey of the vampire myth's historical roots and continued evolution. Subsequent entries, organized alphabetically by vampire name, include phonetic pronunciations and define the many tangible and intangible vampiric forms that hail from every continent around the globe. Entries run between several lines and several paragraphs and are consistently followed by multiple-source titles. A thorough resource for dark mythologists and vampire enthusiasts.
Burrowes, Robert D. Historical Dictionary of Yemen. 2d ed. Scarecrow. (Historical Dictionaries of Asia, Oceania & the Middle East, No. 72.) 2010. 616p. ISBN 978-0-8108-5528-1. $120. REF
In this update to his original 1995 edition, Burrowes (Yemen Arab Republic) expands the book's scope to incorporate events occurring within the last decade and a half, broadening the number of definitions to more than 800. Alphabetized, fully cross-referenced entries run multiple paragraphs in length and profile the figures, religious concerns, organizations, battles, regions, foreign policies, and broader concepts that have shaped historical and contemporary Yemen. The book opens with an informative subject chronology, dating to 1200 C.E. A fitting complement to Steven Charles Canton's highly regarded 2006 Yemen Chronicle. Recommended for collections focusing on Middle Eastern studies and cultural anthropology.
Genetic Disorders Sourcebook. 4th ed. Omnigraphics. (Health Reference.) 2009. 759p. ed. by Sandra J. Judd. ISBN 978-0-7808-1076-1. $95. REF
An update to the 2004 edition, this essential subject reference incorporates the newest scientific research and policy alterations, including advances made in the Human Genome Project. Judd (Depression Sourcebook) divides the book into seven thematic segments. The 72 highly accessible chapters are further divided by subheadings, which detail the causes of each genetic abnormality, its varieties and symptoms, and accepted treatment methods. Valuable quotes by medical authorities are offered in support of the information presented. An indispensable organization directory and resource list close the book, which replaces James Wynbrandt and Mark D. Ludman's 2008 Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders and Birth Defects.
Recruitment, Development, and Retention of Information Professionals: Trends in Human Resources and Knowledge Management. Business Science Reference. 2010. 354p. ed. by Elisabeth Pankl & others. ISBN 978-1-61520601-8. $180. REF
Pankl (humanities librarian, Kansas State Univ.), Daniel Theiss-White (general reference, Kansas State Univ.), and Mary Bushing (independent library educator) have compiled 16 essay-style chapters by 32 field specialists to create a thoughtful "best practices" reference for organizations employing librarians and information specialists. The guide represents the most advanced subject consideration currently available. Each chapter essay offers thorough consideration of issues related to recruitment, development, and retention. To ease location of relevant material, essays are further marked by thematic subheadings. While arguments are accessible and well supported, the essays' academic tenor and field-specific language make them best suited for subject specialists.
Reddick, Christopher G. Homeland Security Preparedness and Information Systems: Strategies for Managing Public Policy. Information Science Reference. 2009. 257p. illus. ISBN 978-1-60566-834-5. $315. REF
Reddick (Citizens and E-Government) details IT's essential role in terror preparedness and the practical hurdles to achieving effective national security and disaster response. While not a comprehensive appraisal of all homeland security technologies, the book contains's three sections and ten chapters, which carefully assess homeland security's major information systems and their influence at all governmental levels, from federal to local. An expansion of 2008's Terrorism Informatics, edited by Hsinchun Chen and others, this book is replete with statistics, illustrative charts, field-specific vocabulary, and in-text citations; it is therefore best suited to government IT, government watchdog, and disaster-management collections.
Technoliteracy, Discourse, and Social Practice: Frameworks and Applications in the Digital Age. Information Science Reference. 2009. 290p. ed. by Darren Lee Pullen & others. ISBN 978-1-60566-842-0. $255. REF
Pullen (education, Univ. of Tasmania), Christina Gitsaki (Internet English), and Margaret Baguley (education, Univ. of Southern Queensland) bring together 14 chapter-essays on technology in the service of global education, as considered by 24 Australian-, American-, and British-based subject specialists. The chapters are separated into three distinct sections: leadership issues, practical technoliteracy, and gaming-related literacy. Essays address controversial subjects, like the complications presented by the absence of technology in middle school curriculums and the practicability of gaming's didactic power. Although these specialist-oriented essays offer insightful reflections, the book seems incomplete; another volume is needed to address additional facets of this complex subject.
