Reference Reviews
September 15, 2011ATLASES
Atlas of the 2008 Elections. Rowman & Littlefield. 2011. 320p. ed. by Stanley D. Brunn & others. index. ISBN 9780742567955. $75. Online: www.rlpgbooks.com/ebooks REF
Brunn (Cities of the World) and coeditors Gerald R. Webster, Richard L. Morrill, Fred M. Shelley, Stephen J. Lavin, and J. Clark Archer—all professors of geography at institutions across the United States—here present ten chapters of geographical and political perspectives on the 2008 U.S. presidential election, with nods to views from other disciplines such as history, economics, and sociology. Also examined from those standpoints are six other races, including important senatorial and gubernatorial quests; eight statewide referenda; four votes of the 111th U.S. House of Representatives; and topics such as primaries, campaigns, general elections, and regional patterns. Each chapter’s accessible narrative is accompanied by several well-rendered maps (for a total of more than 200)—the combination serves to clarify issues of interest in the 2008 election in a way that is unmatched by other works. The editors close with ten scenarios that could positively influence national elections, e.g., public financing of presidential elections and abolishing the electoral college. BOTTOM LINE This title succeeds at making political geography accessible and demonstrates the power of the discipline in relation to questions of social science. It is an excellent addition to most higher education and large public library collections because of its clear, attractive visual style and easily understood information.—Samantha Schmehl Hines, Univ. of Montana Lib., Missoula, MT
Hayes, Derek. Historical Atlas of Washington and Oregon. Univ. of California. Sept. 2011. 240p. illus. maps. index. ISBN 9780520266155. $39.95. REF
Geographer, map researcher, and collector Hayes trained at the University of Hull, England, and the University of British Columbia and has authored a series of spectacular and well-received historical atlases. His latest study revisits in greater detail a region already treated in his Historical Atlas of the Pacific Northwest (Sasquatch Books, 1999), presenting in color 551 period maps ranging from Martin Waldseemüller’s 1507 world map to a 1991 depiction of Washington State railroads. The maps and other illustrations provide the primary-source documentation for Hayes’s historical narrative, which was written for a general audience and traces chronologically the discovery, exploration, settlement, and geopolitical evolution of Washington and Oregon as well as the development of those states’ major cities. In his narrative, the author reminds readers that America’s Northwest coast was one of the most remote areas in transoceanic distance and difficulty for European explorers. The overland route was not an option until the mid-19th century, and even then it was a dangerous choice. The extensively captioned maps are listed in the book’s “Map Catalog & Sources” section with their accession numbers when applicable. For those seeking more-comprehensive coverage of Oregon beyond its history, W.G. Loy’s Atlas of Oregon, 2d ed. (Oregon State Univ. Pr., 2001) is an excellent option. BOTTOM LINE Hayes’s latest atlas maintains the quality of his previous publications and is highly recommended for public and academic libraries, map enthusiasts, and anyone with a special interest in the history and heritage of the Northwest.—Edward K. Werner, St. Lucie Cty. Lib. Syst., Ft. Pierce, FL
HEALTH & MEDICINE
Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Sourcebook. 2d ed. Omnigraphics. (Health Reference). 2011. c.635p. ed. by Joyce Brennfleck Shannon. illus. index. ISBN 9780780811461. $95. Online: Credo Reference, ebrary, Gale, MyiLibrary, Rittenhouse R2 Digital Library REF
The need for consumer-level information on autism and related disorders is great, particularly for those who live with, care for, or work alongside a person with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Shannon, the editor of several titles in this series, serves that need admirably, reprinting and commenting upon more than 50 documents and excerpts from publications issued by a slew of government health agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and academic institutions. The basic but comprehensive coverage includes an overview of ASD and information on associated causes and risk factors, identification and diagnosis, possible coexisting conditions, interventions and treatments, education, and life with ASD through adulthood. All articles are written at the consumer level, and many bear publication dates of 2010; some feature black-and-white tables or graphs. Original sources are clearly cited, and a bibliography is included for most articles. The sourcebook ends with a glossary, a directory of additional resources (including websites of related organizations), and an index. BOTTOM LINE Since the first edition was published in 2007, the number of ASD diagnoses has increased, and much attention has been brought to bear on the topic, so this updated edition is welcome. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.—Teresa R. Faust, Vermont Dept. of Libs., Berlin
Encyclopedia of Environmental Health. 5 vols.Elsevier/Nelson. 2011. 5016p. ed. by Jerome O. Nriagu. illus. maps. index. ISBN 9780444522733. $2250. REF
This encyclopedia constitutes a mammoth undertaking; the volumes, scholarship, and subject matter are all large. While Nriagu (environmental health sciences, Univ. of Michigan; editor, Science of the Total Environment) does not clearly define environmental health, it’s fair to say that it encompasses many academic and applied disciplines and affects public policy and practice; its findings are often disputed. Nriagu and associate editors Sam Kacew, Toshihiro Kawamoto, Jonathan Patz, and Denise Rennie, together with 25 section editors, gathered 700 international contributors to write 450 multi-authored, alphabetically arranged critical reviews. Sample article titles include “Extreme Temperatures and Mortality,” “Kuwait Before and After the Gulf War,” “Arsenic Occurrence in Groundwater,” “Bioaerosols in Apartment Buildings,” “Pesticides and Thyroid Hormones,” “Gender and Disasters,” and “Cumulative Environmental Risk.” Articles are included because they make “critical assessments of advancement in research frontiers,” especially highlighting “new scientific paradigms to solve problems.” Most articles are about 5000 words in length, and they provide definitions of abbreviations, illustrations, and excellent bibliographies that include websites. BOTTOM LINE This is an in-depth scholarly resource for graduate students, practitioners, and undergraduates in the policy sciences and sciences. Potential competitors such as Elsevier’s International Encyclopedia of Public Health (2008) approach environmental health differently, and similar-sounding titles from other publishers cover the subject in a simpler and less comprehensive way.—Janice Dunham, John Jay Coll. Lib., CUNY
HISTORY
Halliday, Fred. Shocked and Awed: A Dictionary of the War on Terror. Univ. of California. 2011. 360p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780520268708. pap. $25.95. REF
This unusual and often polemical dictionary is Halliday’s (former ICREA Research Professor, Barcelona Inst. for International Studies; 100 Myths About the Middle East) last contribution to his extensive publishing record on the history of the modern Middle East, as he died in 2010. Assembled here in entries that range in length from a couple of sentences to a short paragraph are words and phrases that sprung up in English and other languages following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as their meanings and contexts for their use. The work demonstrates how language can be adapted to new circumstances in both formal and informal ways. Unfortunately, the book’s thematic, 12-chapter arrangement—entries are arranged alphabetically within the chapters—reduces its usability. Cross-references are bolded, but in most cases there is no signal as to which chapter the term is in, and many entries are not included in the index. In the selection of terms and, more particularly, within the definitions, Halliday expresses his opposition to Western, particularly U.S., policies and actions following 9/11. BOTTOM LINE While this is an interesting work from a linguistic viewpoint, it does not add much to the study of the War on Terror or the Western response to global terrorism. Not recommended for general library collections.—Ryan Johnson, Univ. of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Hannings, Bud. The French and Indian War: A Complete Chronology. McFarland. 2011. c.344p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780786449064. $125. Online: EBL, ebrary, MyiLibrary, & Netlibrary REF
Hannings (Chronology of the American Revolution; Every Day of the Civil War) provides a day-by-day account of the war for control of the American Colonies between 1748 and 1766. Because the conflict was part of a larger, 200-year struggle between the European empires of Britain and France, the entries cover battles in the Colonies, Europe, and elsewhere; naval action; and diplomatic activities. The daily accounts are easy to read and vary in length from a few sentences to three pages. When applicable, the entries include brief explanations of people’s actions as well as military and diplomatic successes and failures. Letter excerpts are included occasionally. There is much foreshadowing of the later American Revolution in discussions of events during which the idea of a united country was introduced or promoted, and of phenomena, such as the stamp tax, that would eventually influence the Colonies to rebel. Appendixes list prominent figures in the French and Indian War and the Revolution. Curious readers will appreciate the extensive bibliography. BOTTOM LINE Anyone with an interest in American Colonial history will find this title a very helpful synopsis and overview of the war. It is best for academic institutions, but it might find some use in public libraries. The book’s arrangement is similar to that in the titles in Facts On File’s “Almanac of American Wars” series, and libraries owning those books will find this one a useful addition. Buy it if your budget permits.—Jim Langan, Univ. of Pittsburgh Lib. at Johnstown
Palmer, Allison Lee. Historical Dictionary of Romantic Art and Architecture. Scarecrow. (Historical Dictionaries of Literature & the Arts). 2011. 286p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 9780810872226. $80. Online: NetLibrary, Overdrive, MyiLibrary, EBL, & Questia REF
Palmer’s (art history, Univ. of Oklahoma; Historical Dictionary of Architecture) work encompasses the Western world’s romantic era (approximately 1750–1850) in art and architecture and will suit a range of audiences. The 200-plus entries are uniformly clearly written and comprehensive. Palmer avoids catering to one audience or another, eschewing both confusing snobbery and extraneous bloat and filling the entries with cross-references for possibly unfamiliar art terms and artists from the period. The title’s only real problem is that the entries don’t include pronunciation assistance, and this limits the reader’s ability to connect the material to information from a lecture or discussion. However, neither this nor the inclusion of only 14 black-and-white illustrations is enough to detract seriously from the book’s virtues, especially since the omissions leave space for an informative introduction and chronology, along with a well-organized, extensive bibliography. BOTTOM LINE Although Palmer’s Historical Dictionary is surprisingly short and, for a reference book, inexpensive, it is also comprehensive, well written, and easy to read. Recommended for both high school students writing papers and for academics who don’t specialize in the area.—Robert Mixner, Bartholomew Cty. P.L., Columbus, IN
Voices of Revoluntionary America: Contemporary Accounts of Daily Life. Greenwood. 2011. (Voices of an Era). c.270p. ed. by Carol Sue Humphrey. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780313377327. $75. Online: ABC-CLIO eBook Collection REF
In her introduction, Humphrey (history, Oklahoma Baptist Univ.; The Revolutionary Era ) discusses the value of primary-source materials before presenting original documents of daily life (newspapers, diaries, letters) published in revolutionary America from 1760–83. The pieces are arranged by subject: disruption and continuation of daily life, economics and employment, religion, war and local conflict, for example. Each document is accompanied by brief but useful background information on the aspect of life being considered, such as the danger of fire in daily life or the impact of smallpox inoculations on a family. Then, daily events, laws, or expectations that would affect the situation are discussed. This preliminary information is followed by the document, an “Aftermath” section that describes the results, additional questions and problems, and “Topics and Activities To Consider.” Humphrey’s suggestions for additional resources include film and television programs and websites. Appendixes provide biographical data for individuals mentioned in the text, a glossary, a bibliography, a four-page chronology of events from 1760–83, and directions for evaluation of a primary document. This is a thorough, well-explained introduction to life in the revolutionary era using the primary documents of the period.BOTTOM LINE Ideal for beginning students with little background in historical research, and for teachers or instructors looking for research topics.—Marilyn Lary, San Bernardino, CA
PERFORMING ARTS
Fisher, James. Historical Dictionary of Contemporary American Theater: 1930–2010. 2 vols. Scarecrow. (Historical Dictionaries of Literature & the Arts). 2011. 1429p. bibliog. ISBN 9780810855328. $175. Online: NetLibrary, Overdrive, MyiLibrary, EBL, & Questia REF
Fisher (theater, Univ. of North Carolina, Greensboro) here presents a broad survey of plays, playwrights, institutions, and cultural changes that have had an impact on the remarkable 80-year theatrical history covered in these two volumes. As usual with such texts, decisions had to be made as to what to include and, just as important, what to exclude. The “Reader’s Note” that opens Volume I discusses the guidelines used to make such decisions. Of great value to students and general readers is the 20-page chronology, highlighting theatrical events and historical contexts. It is followed by an informative and readable 17-page introduction. Since this is a dictionary, not an encyclopedia, entries are relatively short and to the point, ranging from one-third of a page (“Bishop, Andre”) to one page (“Chekov on the U.S. Stage”). BOTTOM LINE This set serves as an excellent companion to Fisher and Felicia Hardison Londré’s Historical Dictionary of American Theater: Modernism (Scarecrow, 2007). An excellent resource for those needing definitions, clarifications, and a starting point for further research.—Susan L. Peters, Univ. of Texas, Galveston
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Crime State Rankings 2011: Crime Across America. 560p. ISBN 9781608717309. pap. $75.
Health Care State Rankings 2011: Health Care Across America. 560p. ISBN 9781608717323. pap. $75.
State Rankings 2011: A Statistical View of America. 624p.ISBN 9781608717316. $110; pap. ISBN 9781608717330. $75.ea. vol: CQ Pr. (State Fact Finder). 2011. ed. by Kathleen O’Leary Morgan & Scott Morgan. index. Online: CQ Press Electronic Library REF
The U.S. government announced during the spring of 2011 that the Statistical Abstract of the United States produced annually since 1878 would cease publication, a troublesome decision for the countless number of users, especially librarians, who depend on this authoritative work. Although no current offering will fill this void for easily locating U.S. statistics, these annuals provide much worthwhile—but certainly more limited and specialized—information. State Rankings presents an eclectic range of comparative statistical data on, for example, transportation, government revenues, energy consumption, and ebooks in public libraries. Health Care State Rankings is geared toward health-care professionals but contains statistics useful to many other readers and researchers, such as numbers on Medicaid costs, the prevalence of cancer and other diseases, alcohol-induced deaths, and abortion rates. Crime State Rankings is a superb compendium of crime and justice statistics, disclosing the number of state law enforcement officers, prison executions, substance abuse treatment programs, etc. The diligent compilers are to be commended for assembling these varied statistics not only from government agencies but also from private-sector organizations. Especially noteworthy is their work devising a “comparative score” methodology that provides an objective scale for state rankings. BOTTOM LINE While Almanac of the 50 States is a useful ready-reference work that includes some comparative charts on different topics (e.g., average daily commute, median rent, home value, etc.), these topical titles provide more detailed and wide-ranging comparative state statistics on health and crime; the broader State Rankings volume also offers more diverse information. Reasonably priced, these books are recommended for larger public and most academic libraries.—Donald Altschiller, Boston Univ. Lib.
The Encyclopedia of Water Politics and Policy in the United States. CQ Pr. 2011. 510p. ed. by Steven L. Danver & John R. Burch Jr. illus. index. ISBN 9781604266146. $175. Online: CQ Press Electronic Library REF
Danver (social sciences, Walden Univ.; Seas and Waterways; editor, Journal of the West) and Burch (dean, Campbellsville Univ.; Owsley County) preside over material by 60 U.S. academics. The 300 articles of 1000-plus words address problems, solutions, projects, legislation, legal cases, people, and organizations over the past 150 years. An additional 75 “Features”—subsections of 100 words each—add interest on such topics as the Buffalo Creek flood, which is highlighted in the article on mining. A thematic table of contents allows users to access easily, for example, projects by subject area and biographies. Other encyclopedias, such as Pedro Fierro Jr. and Evan K. Nyer’s The Water Encyclopedia (CRC Press, 2007), are more scientific and technical and do not address the political problems of water availability in as much detail. In environmental encyclopedias, water problems tend to be addressed from the perspective of pollution. Here, on the other hand, is a clear, single-volume, up-to-date work focused on social and political issues related to water in the United States. BOTTOM LINE This unique resource will appeal to general readers as well as students in many fields, including science, history, and social justice.—Janice Dunham, John Jay Coll. Lib., CUNY
Food Cultures of the World Encyclopedia. 4 vols. Greenwood. 2011. 1400p. ed. by Ken Albala. photogs. index. ISBN 9780313376269. $380. Online: ABC-CLIO eBook Collection REF
Prolific writer Albala (Food and Faith in Christian Culture; Food in Early Modern Europe) and an army of food scholars and experts here tackle the monumental task of summarizing the world’s dietary culture in 154 alphabetically organized entries covering Africa and the Middle East, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Europe. Albala explains that in order to constrain the size of the work, most food variations are discussed within the context of the country or nation of origination, but that certain groups demanded separate entries. For instance, there is one entry for Canada, but the United States is broken into regions, and Basque territory in Europe and the Hmong in the United States have individual entries. Perhaps the strength of this well-written, useful work, however, is its focus on food culture broadly, including the social connections, rituals, daily routine, values, and challenges in making dietary choices as impacted by religion, health, celebrations, and more. In an effort to achieve this lofty goal, the set provides valuable extras. All of the pieces include an overview of the area or people, major foods, cooking practices, typical meals, trends in eating out, special occasions, and diet and health. They also each boast “Food Culture Snapshots” that describe a typical day with a fictional family as they plan, purchase, or gather food and then cook and eat it. Further-reading recommendations follow the entries; these are sometimes relatively lengthy. Each volume is complemented by black-and-white photos, a number of recipes, and a full index. BOTTOM LINE This is a quality encyclopedia with broad appeal especially for public libraries and undergraduate colleges and universities.—Lisa A. Ennis, Univ. of Alabama Lib. at Birmingham
