Reference
May 26, 2010History
Dodson, Aidan & Dyan Hilton. The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson, dist. by Norton. 2010. 320p. illus. maps. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-500-28857-3. pap. $29.95. REF
Dodson (archaeology, Univ. of Bristol) and Hilton (Roman Baths Museum, Bath) offer unparalleled access to 3000 years of Egyptian royalty in chronological order, including the traditional 31 dynasties as well as Alexander the Great, his heirs, and the Ptolemies. This richly illustrated resource features 27 genealogical tables for the better-documented dynasties; listings of some 1300 kings, queens, princes, and princesses; and chronological tables with both the throne and the personal names of reigning pharaohs. BOTTOM LINE This remarkable compilation of biographical and historical data is original in its scope, format, and content, and this new paperback edition makes it affordable for the budget conscious (the hardcover edition was published in 2004 and is still available from the publisher). Highly recommended for all reference collections and anyone interested in ancient Egypt.—Edward K. Werner, St. Lucie Cty. Lib. Syst., Ft. Pierce, FL
Milestone Documents in World History: Exploring the Primary Sources That Shaped the World. 4 vols. Schlager Group: Salem. (Milestone Documents). 2010. 1900p. ed. by Brian Bonhomme & Cathleen Boivin. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-9797758-6-4. $395; Online: Salem History REF
This four-volume set, edited by Bonhomme (history, Youngstown State Univ.) and Boivin (history, West Springfield H.S.), provides and analyzes 125 important primary-source documents and covers a broad range of world history—from the 2350 B.C.E. Reform Edict of Urukagina to 2000’s Constitutive Act of the African Union—and targets all geographic regions. It includes influential documents such as Christopher Columbus’s letter to Raphael Sanxis on the discovery of America, Martin Luther’s 95 theses, Winston Churchill’s “The sinews of peace” speech, and the Northern Ireland peace agreement. The primary sources incorporate laws and legal codes, treaties, edicts, and political speeches. Essays are compiled by a team of 75 noted historians and contain detailed bibliographies, time lines, key quotes from the documents, and study questions. There is also a glossary that defines unfamiliar names and terms, and the teacher guides correspond to the National Standards in World History. The 250 photographs and illustrations complement the text, while further reading lists direct researchers to websites, books, and articles. BOTTOM LINE The distinctive features of this resource make it excellent for Advanced Placement world history students, undergraduates, and history academics. An essential purchase for high school, academic, and medium to large public libraries.—Bobbie Wrinkle, McCracken Cty. P.L., Paducah, KY
Law & Crime
Hendley, Nate B. American Gangsters, Then and Now: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. 2009. 304p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-313-35451-9. $85; Online: ABC-CLIO eBook Collection REF
In a highly accessible style, perfect for general audiences—especially those with an interest in the real stories behind iconic gangster films such as Goodfellas, Donnie Brasco, and Gangs of New York—Hendley (Bonnie and Clyde) provides a historical overview of organized crime and criminals in America. Alphabetically organized, the 45 entries range from one to 20 pages in length. Discussions of groups like the Bloods or the Dead Rabbits will be familiar to readers, while other entries, like an examination of the Purple Gang or the Black Hand, are more obscure. The majority of entries examine exploits of infamous individuals like Meyer Lansky, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, Dutch Schultz, or Stanley “Tookie” Williams. Criminal organizations are well represented here, including the Hells Angels, the Crips, and the Dalton Gang. Hendley also touches on the criminal activities of these groups and individuals with detailed entries on prostitution, the drug trade, and the numbers racket, among others. Each entry closes with cross-references and a list of titles for further reading. Individual entries for contemporary gangs, like the Vice Lord Nation or the Asian Boyz, rather than the brief notes that appear under larger headings would have been useful. BOTTOM LINE Numerous reference works on organized crime exist: Encyclopedia of Gangs, edited by Louis Kontos, for example. But only Hendley’s can boast such depth and breadth of analysis in a slim, current volume, solely focused on the American gangster experience. Recommended for public libraries.—Daniel Sifton, Vancouver Island Univ. Lib., Nanaimo, B.C.
Political Science
Sarkees, Meredith Reid & Frank Whelon Wayman. Resort to War, 1816–2007. CQ. (Correlates of War). 2010. 577p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-87289-434-1. $165. ref
The history of war had been a series of unrelated anecdotes and narratives, but political scientists were eager to quantify virtually any activity having to do with international diplomatic and military interactions. The Correlates of War (COW) project—founded by J. David Singer in 1963 at the University of Michigan—stepped in to do just that, then progressed to use its collected data to propose causes of warfare. But categories of nation, state, and commonwealth, in addition to independent territories, protectorates, and geographical areas, have long been a challenge to organizations like the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations itself. Now consider these classifications when trying to analyze the participation of states, nations, or nonstates, in armed conflict—this has been the job of the COW. In this volume, the second in the series (after Douglas M. Gibler’s International Military Alliances, 1648–2008), Sarkees (president, Global Women’s Leadership in International Security) and Wayman (political science, Univ. of Michigan) offer their definition of state and classifications of war (interstate, extrastate, intrastate, and the new category of nonstate ethnic wars), analyze and describe more than 600 wars, and highlight patterns and connections that span eras and regions. BOTTOM LINE A chronological list of all wars, a selected bibliography, and an index round out this breakthrough presentation of wars and their classification. Recommended for advanced political scientists and historians who aren’t fearful of fresh categorizations of war and its global dimensions. For academic libraries only.—Albert C. Vara, Temple Univ. Lib., Philadelphia
Psychology
Encyclopedia of Perception. 2 vols. SAGE. 2009. 1280p. ed. by E. Bruce Goldstein. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-4129-4081-8. $375; Online: SAGE Reference Online REF
Written by experts in the field—academics, physicians, and researchers—and edited by Goldstein (psychology, Univ. of Pittsburgh), the approximately 375 articles in this two-volume set present exhaustive information and research about perception and the senses through which we perceive: visual, auditory, olfactory, taste, and touch. A useful reader’s outline of the subject identifies the disparate physical and psychological elements that influence an individual’s perceptions. Articles, alphabetically arranged by keyword, are each followed by a further reading list, references to websites, and cross-references to other entries, all of which expand the context of information provided. With color and black-and-white illustrations and appendixes providing annotated directories of associations, annotated listings of websites noted in the text, and a general bibliography to round out the set. BOTTOM LINE Previous reference titles such as Irving B. Weiner’s Handbook of Psychology or the Encyclopedia of Human Emotions give comparatively brief coverage of perception and limit the information to biological/sensory perception or physiology and perception. A valuable addition to reference collections and a necessity for psychology collections.—Marilyn Searson Lary, formerly with North Georgia Coll. & State Univ., Dahlonega
Social Sciences
Feminism and Women’s Rights Worldwide. 3 vols. Praeger. (Women’s Psychology). 2009. ed. by Michele A. Paludi. index. ISBN 978-0-313-37596-5. $154.95; Online: ABC-CLIO eBook Collection REF
Edited by Paludi (Ivory Power: Sexual Harassment on Campus), this set is both a rich history and an examination of women’s rights globally. The introduction reiterates that while many may reject the term feminism, most support feminist principals, such as equal pay, and question stereotypical portrayals of feminists. Volume 1, Heritage, Roles and Issues, focuses on education, the workplace, military, religion, and politics. Volume 2, Mental and Physical Health, addresses concerns impacting emotional and physical well-being, such as sexual violence, rape, and the risk of HIV. This volume shows that while women may differ in age, education, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status, they are deeply connected when they have experienced violence. Volume 3, Feminism as Human Rights, examines laws on harassment, equal pay, and violent crimes, and the contributors speak out against injustices and express human rights concerns. The chapters target current controversies, e.g., reproductive rights, job discrimination, and women in leadership positions. BOTTOM LINE The set may appear somewhat intimidating for lay readers at first glance, but it is a simple-to-use, well-organized, comprehensive resource for high schoolers and above. The writing style is clear, and the personal accounts from women across generations add interest. The volumes are chock-full of engaging data gathered from documented studies, and the chapters challenge readers to think critically and urge self-reflection. A necessary acquisition for anyone interested in equal rights for women and for public, academic, and high school libraries with women’s studies collections.—Bobbie Wrinkle, McCracken Cty. P.L., Paducah, KY
