Notes on key reviews in this issue

Citation

Chalcraft, T. (2011), "Notes on key reviews in this issue", Reference Reviews, Vol. 25 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/rr.2011.09925gaa.001

Notes on key reviews in this issue

Article Type: Editorial notes and queries From: Reference Reviews, Volume 25, Issue 7

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  Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Social Issues (RR 2011/308). A total of 200 entries across four volumes (in print version) for issues of current concern in the US, especially those subject to media exposure or political debate. Will need comparison with M.E. Sharpe’s more expansive Social Issues in America: An Encyclopedia (2006).

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  Encyclopedia of Sustainability (RR 2011/329). One of a number of new reference works to explore the often ill-defined concept of sustainability, this work from Greenwood is in three volumes: Environment and Ecology, Business and Economics, and Equity and Fairness.

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  Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer (RR 2011/330). Third edition of this established Gale set aimed at members of the public rather than the medical profession.

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  The Grove Encyclopedia of American Art (RR 2011/337). Based on Grove Art Online and its print counterpart Grove Dictionary of Art, this set, available online or as five print volumes, includes additional and updated material relating specifically to American art.

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  Handbook of World Exchange Rates (RR 2011/317). An unusual publication in an era when most data heavy matter is presented electronically, this specialist single volume from Ashgate covers exchange rates from 33 countries starting in 1590 and ending in 1914.

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  Hathi Trust Library (RR 2011/301). This is another major library collaborative digitization initiative from academic libraries, the contents of which are partially available to non-subscribers. Provides links to Google Books and WorldCat for items limited to subscribing institutions.

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  Picture Post Historical Archive 1938-1957 (RR 2011/303). Latest in Gale Cengage’s efforts to digitise historical runs of British newspapers and magazines. Follows The Illustrated London Historical News Historical Archive (RR 2011/003). A review of the newly released digital archive of The Listener will appear in an upcoming issue of this journal.

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  Ruffner’s Allusions (RR 2011/323). Third edition of a title first published in 1982 as Allusions – Cultural, Literary, Biblical and Historical. This edition expands coverage with 13,000 entries including those relating to non-Christian religions. Invites comparison with Adonis to Zorro: Oxford Dictionary of Reference and Allusions (RR 2011/165).

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  Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Literature (RR 2011/324). An online package based on a number of separately available print sets. Initial offering includes The Encyclopedia of the Novel (individual review forthcoming in next issue of this journal), The Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Fiction and The Encyclopedia of Literary and Cultural Theory. The Encyclopedia of English Renaissance Literature and The Encyclopedia of Romantic Literature are scheduled for addition to the database in December.

Tony Chalcraft