Author Description

From School Library Journal Grade 9 Up. With all the standard features of other encyclopedias, the 1996 Collier's includes numerous maps, diagrams, and photos, mostly in black and white. There are about 23,000 entries, many of which are signed, ranging in length from a paragraph to up to more than 30 pages. As compared to the 1993 edition, most of the revisions in this edition are superficial. They seem to have been limited to those countries that have recently been in turmoil or have been newly formed. Articles on countries like Holland, which have been very stable over the last few decades, appear not to have been updated. Entries on topics such as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Bosnia, have not been completely rewritten, but only added to. In general, the writing style is dry. Some of the "see" references are not direct: when looking up the European Economic Community, for example, the "see" reference refers readers to "European Union." In the text, "European Union" refers to a section in the article, "Europe: European Integration." One must question why the reference doesn't point students to that article in the first place. Curiously, the article itself is written to sound as if the 1990s were behind us and it's already 2000. An extensive, up-to-date list for further reading is included in the index volume. The paper used in this edition is of white stock; thus the photos are clearer and the text a little easier to read. This set provides enough information to answer most assignment questions. However, the limited number of its revisions do not make it a necessary purchase for collections owning the 1993 edition. The Academic American Encyclopedia (Grolier, 1996) has a more appealing format and is a better choice for this age group.?Jo-Anne Weinberg, Greenburgh Public Library, NYCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.